this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2023
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Literature
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The one I think about most often is Hyperion, by Dan Simmons. Specifically the Priest's tale and the Scholar's tale.
I haven't read it for some years, but i remember it fondly. I was very impressed by it. It got me starting to read Keats btw.
Damn, I've heard great things about that book and I've had it on my shelf for a decade but every time i try to read it i get distracted about a third of the way and drop it. I'll have to sit down seriously to try it some day.
The first book has an overarching story, but it is the tales that the pilgrims tell each other that really stand out. They are basically like little novellas within the main narrative and can almost be taken as stand-alone. The two tales I mentioned (Priest and Scholar) were the two that really stood out to me, but they are all interesting. I re-read those two tales specifically every few years.
The overall universe that Simmons depicts in the story is also amazing. The second book (Fall of Hyperion) focuses more on the overall narrative but shows how the tales have some commonality. The key plot device behind the Priest's tale also sets up the narrative for the sequel books (Endymion and Rise of Endymion).
Such a fantastic book. It's one of the few that I will read again and again.