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Questions tagged [hyperion-cantos]

The Hyperion Cantos is a series of science fiction novels by Dan Simmons. The title was originally used for the collection of the first pair of books in the series, Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion, and later came to refer to the overall storyline. - Wikipedia

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What is meant by the term 'spinship' in Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos series?

I am halfway through Endymion, the 3rd book of Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos series. In his universe, he basically differentiates between two types of starships, namely torchships and spinships. While ...
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What happened to the pain the cruciform was giving its wearer when leaving the area?

In Hyperion, the cruciform provides great pain to the one leaving the area of where the Bikuras live(d). However, in Endymion, during the Pax era, billions of humans on dozens/hundreds of planets are ...
Itération 122442's user avatar
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Is the ending of the Priest's tale consistent with the rest of the story?

I'm part way through Dan Simmons' Hyperion; please no spoilers for the rest of the book, if possible (wording, etc). I've just read through the Priest's tale and the ending seemed inconsistent with ...
BuzzKirill's user avatar
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Inconsistency in cruciform resurrection in Hyperion? [duplicate]

In Dan Simmons' Hyperion, Father Paul Duré is reported to be continually crucified on a 'Tesla tree' and then resurrected by the cruciform implanted on him over a period of seven years, until Father ...
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How could Father Duré survive as a person on the Tesla tree?

(I am presently halfway through The Rise of Endymion, it may of course be explained in what I have not read yet) In "Hyperion", we read the story of Father Duré who after leaving the Bikura crucifies ...
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Is there an official map of Hyperion?

If not an official map, are there any accurate representations or approximantions of Hyperion?
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What did Ummon mean talking about the Ultimate Intelligence in Fall of Hyperion?

I am currently reading The Fall of Hyperion. In Chapter 33, an AI named Ummon is introduced. He tells Johnny and Brawnie at lengths about the Ultimate Intelligence. Can someone please explain to me ...
user214671's user avatar
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Hyperion: how do other pilgrims know about Hoyt's cruciforms?

Note: I've read the French version of the books: maybe I'm not using the geniune terminology/names here I recently re-read Hyperion by Dan Simmons, and I noticed all pilgrims suddenly know Father ...
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Is there any scientific basis behind the "Big Mistake" theory in Hyperion? [closed]

The Big Mistake of the Hyperion books says: The "Big Mistake" was a cataclysmic event thought to have destroyed Old Earth, having been brought about when a team of physicists in Kiev created an ...
Shadow Wizard's user avatar
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1 answer
2k views

Timing of space travel in Hyperion and Endymion is inconsistent

I'm reading the Hyperion Cantos books by Dan Simmons, and I'm partway through Endymion. (so no spoilers if you can please). However, I'm beginning to notice that the time it takes to travel is ...
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Why is the Shrike depicted with only two arms on the covers of the first three "Hyperion" novels?

The cover illustrations for the Dan Simmons novels "Hyperion", "The Fall of Hyperion" and "Endymion" all feature depictions of the Shrike with two arms: However, already in the first novel "...
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What happened with Duré/Hoyt's second cruciform?

In The Fall of Hyperion, a resurrected Paul Duré encounters the Shrike, and it's stated that the Shrike removes his cruciform/resurrection parasite as a means of granting his wish for death. That ...
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What enabled the Shrike to kill Rhadamanth Nemes?

Toward the end of Endymion (the third out of four books in Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos series) the Shrike, who has been intermittently following Raul, Aenea, and A. Bettik prevents Radamanth Nemes ...
Ana's user avatar
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Aftermath of the battle between Kassad and the Shrike

How did this battle was a major influence on history/future of humankind, if The Shrike is described to continue existing during the events described later, which happened "before" it was sent back in ...
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The Shrike's "teleport" abilities during the battle with Kassad

Just finished reading The Fall of Hyperion , and I have a 2-part question - both tightly connected to the same event and to each other: One on hand, it seems that the Shrike's ability to teleport in ...
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1 answer
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Hyperion Core's prediction about Interstellar War

In Hyperion, the AI's pose two realities about the future interstellar war, either an internal war within AI with the Shrike being used as weapons or a war between surviving humans and the Core. And ...
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What was Brawne's race?

After reading all four books in the Hyperion Cantos, I wanted to know whether Lusians in general were white or black or unspecified--I know they were short and stocky because of the high gravity. The ...
adrienne's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
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What's with the tree of thorns?

I've finished all four books and still do not understand the purpose of the Tree of Thorns from the perspective of any of the factions?
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Weirwood Trees in A Song of Ice & Fire, and also in Hyperion - any connection?

The weirwood tree is one of the key features of the A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones universes, being the Gods of the North. In Dan Simmon's Hyperion, weirwood is also an often mentioned tree, ...
JohnLBevan's user avatar
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Why were Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion split into two books?

I recently read Hyperion by Dan Simmons on the Masterworks label, and although I enjoyed most of it I was bitterly disappointed by the ending. I don't really have a problem with 'cliffhanger' ...
queeg's user avatar
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Did Merin and Siri set off Siri's Rebellion together following Siri's death?

What are the supporting events leading up to Siri's Rebellion, and how was the rebellion set off? I recall the Consul's origin story towards the end of the first book in which Merin, his grandfather,...
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What was going on with Moneta's transformation?

I've finished the series, but I'm left wondering about Moneta's transformation into a Shrike-like form during her last meeting with Kassad in the first book. After that and during the second book ...
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Who are the Ousters in Hyperion?

From reading Siri's Tale (the Consul's story in Hyperion Cantos), I gather that the Ousters are a seafaring people who have close connection with maritime life. Are there any other prominent traits ...
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12 votes
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Why is Sol Weintraub's tale titled "The River Lethe's Taste is Bitter"?

All of the titles of the tales in Dan Simmon's Hyperion make sense, except for one: in chapter 5 (page 246 of Mass Market Paperback), Sol Weintraub's story is titled "The River Lethe's Taste is Bitter....
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6 votes
1 answer
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How was the Shrike able to communicate with Martin Silenius?

In Fall of Hyperion, when the Shrike comes for Martin, it takes control of his hand, forcing Martin to write out messages from the Shrike (e.g. "It is time."). How did the Shrike do this? I don't ...
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18 votes
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What is "Kwatz!"?

In Fall of Hyperion, the Core AI Ummon periodically interjects his koans and oddly-formatted comments with [Kwatz!] What does this mean? Is it a made-up expletive? If so, why would a computer ...
Beofett's user avatar
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Why was it so important to sacrifice Rachel?

Throughout the first and second books in the cantos, Sol Weintraub was urged to sacrifice his only child, Rachel, and give her willingly to the Shrike. It was clearly presented as the ultimate act ...
Shadow Wizard's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

How realistic is the physical evolution of the Ousters in Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos novels?

I am halfway through Dan Simmons 'Fall of Hyperion' and I was wondering whether there are any expert opinions on how human physicality would change upon living in zero-g. In the Hyperion novels the ...
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3 answers
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Was crucifom a symbolic criticism of church?

Was cruciform organism from Dan Simmons' Hyperion supposed to be a symbolic criticism of Christian church? One can easily notice several possible allusions to church (spoilers ahead): On the other ...
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8 votes
1 answer
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About Dan Simmons' description of the Doppler effect applied to light

I remember that, reading Hyperion's cantos, I'd been wondering whether there could be some kind of “altered” physical model which would support Dan Simmons' description of the Doppler effect applied ...
Stéphane Gimenez's user avatar
24 votes
2 answers
7k views

Who created the cruciforms from the Hyperion Cantos?

I'm currently on the 3rd book from the Hyperion Cantos. I read Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion and they've become one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time, but I have a question. (Obvious spoilers ...
Kypt's user avatar
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16 votes
1 answer
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What role did the Tunnels & Cruciform parasites play in "Hyperion"

I was discussing Dan Simmons Hyperion books with a friend recently. While we both could recall the immediate role the Cruciform parasites played in the novels, we couldn't remember where they - or the ...
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