Hyperion Explained In FIVE Minutes (No Major Spoilers)

The Hyperion Cantos is a Science Fiction Series by Dan Simmons that consists of 4 books. Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, and the Rise of Endymion. The First book of the series opens up in the 29th century and follows seven humans as they make the journey to the outback world of Hyperion in order to partake in the Shrike Pilgrimage. The Technocore, the amalgamation of all sentient AI, has dubious motivations throughout much of the books. The Hegemony of Man maintains a seeming alliance with the core, and the core has also gifted several groundbreaking technologies to humanity. The Technocore advises the Hegemony through avatars of its own creation, using Cybrids, beings that are grown from human DNA, but whose true being exists inside of the Technocore itself. Technocore also manages the All-Thing in real-time. In this time humans of the Hegemony were all linked through the “All Thing” Through the All Thing they could vote on legislation, communicate with each other with ease, and instantaneously access whatever information they needed.

But this was only possible on worlds connected by Fatline technology. The world of Hyperion was one of the hundreds of inhabited worlds of the galactic Hegemony which was not connected by Farcaster, or Fatline technology. Because of this Journeys to the world of Hyperion had to be made by way of conventional space travel. At the start of Hyperion 7 pilgrims have been chosen by the Shrike Church, also known as the Church of the Final Atonement to Partake in the Shrike Pilgrimage. The Shrike is a legendary being that appeared on Hyperion at the same time as the mysterious objects known as the time tombs who were believed to have been sent backward in time from some distant future point.

Cover art by: Alex Jay Brady

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[QuinnsIdeas]

Just a heads-up! The Pictures for the Consul and Kassad that appear at 3:23 and 3:48 are reversed. Sorry about that.

[nbeck]

I read this series while me and my wife were on the verge of divorce. I drove her two hours to one of her graduate courses and finished the last book while she was taking a test. I hadn't expected this series to be so powerful and when I finished the last page, I broke down. Each and every single book had a substantial impact on me, and the grief I felt having finished the series (there was a lot) helped give me the strength to work on my marriage. A few years down the road, and we're about to welcome our first baby -- I still think about this series.

[jotatsu]

Robot porcupine from the future frightens Symbiote catholics and quantum hippies.

[kathleenhensley]

My husband was reading this series when his health degenerated in late 2019 and he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. He died less than 2 months later.
I still have the second book with his book mark next to the last page he read... It was the last page of literature he would ever read. He was in the last months of his wonderful life when was he reading the series!! One of the first things that attracted us to one another was our mutual love of the genre.
He said I should read them, I would enjoy them.

[benderthepirate]

First “Dune, ” then Lovecraft, and now this?! I can only read so much, Quinn!

[alexjaybrady]

Im proud to have my art part of your amazing videos, thankyou as always!! You helped me experience these stories so much more richly which helps me make my work!

[nuanceblacksywin]

Quinn, you should do audio books. I LOVE how you narrate you videos. I also have to say that you're among the relatively few on youtube who still makes quality content that's scripted, and not just rambling cut-outs from a stream. Thank you for doing this!

[jeffbrebner]

This series was one of the more difficult ones I've ever read. NOT light reading, and very impactful. I finished the last book in the wee hours one night - and there I was, wide awake, having been through an EXPERIENCE, and since there was no one else I knew that was reading them, I had no one to discuss the experience WITH.

[nice.try.garrett]

The story of Father Paul in the first book still hits hard after so many reads. Absolutely beautiful

[WillyDIreland]

Such a fabulous book series. I've never met someone in real life who has read these also.

[SpecialAgentBillMaxwell]

What I love is how each of the pilgrims' stories is in a distinct style. The first one feels like "A Canticle for Leibowitz." The next feels like WH40K (or maybe Heinlein). Another is clearly a hard-boiled reminiscent of Gibson's "Neuromancer." I think the Consul's story was probably the least interesting, but it wasn't bad. The others are filled with some of the best reveals I've ever seen in sci-fi. Very compelling.

[ryang.]

I consider this entire series, in quality, as to Dune, the Foundation Series, The Wheel of Time etc.. I remember the smell of the indoor pool at the hotel that I was staying at while I was reading this book in my 20s. That’s how it into where I was. It was almost like a spiritual experience, going along with these pilgrims on this journey. It was magical, and I hope everybody gets a chance to experience it.

[Ananisapta]

I've read the masters and there's nobody better than Simmons in these four books. He starts with some close-ups and then keeps pulling back to let you see more and more context until the story is really epic. His use of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in the first half is brilliant. You won't realize until much later that he's really addressing some important questions about artificial intelligence. Rewards rereading.

[mikestutt]

I’ve made it about halfway thru the first book, and never connected the seven pilgrims and their stories to Chaucer! Thank you for that observation👍🏼

[Giganfank]

So I am 36. I have had two strokes. 1 took the ability to word... The Poet's story... Speaks to me on such a deep level.

[Shrike]

This is one of my favorite sci fi series. Saw one of your vids on Hyperion a little while ago and it made me want to re read the series again. It just keeps getting better. Thank you for bringing attention to this series man. Great vids.

[Dan-jidb]

Keep that hyperion content coming, i just finished the first book!

[Pe-S]

God how I wish someone like Denis Villeneuve would adapt this book series into film.. The source material is so rich and multifaceted, with so many interesting, horrific, stunningly beautiful aspects to work with. Practically _begs_ for an adaptation.

[chriskola]

I saw your episode on the Shrike and ended up reading this series. Although it isn't perfect, it is an absolutely incredible journey. Absolutely beautiful and devastating at the same time. One of the best reads out there.

[RevolverRez]

You convinced me to read the Hyperion Cantos a year or so ago, and I want to thank you for it. This is now one of my favourite sci fi series, although I've got to admit the first two books were better than the second half.