Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels discussion

I have been wanting to try these. Have fun

I've read and greatly enjoyed it a bit over 20 years ago. Will definitely re-read this month

Me too, I read it many years ago but don’t remember it much.

It's one of the best books I've ever read. there are some truly sublime moments and truly creepy ones. I'm not going to reread it this month (will catch up on something else the group has read) but will follow the discussion. I hope everyone reading for the first time enjoys it. :)

Looking forward to it. Probably later in the month.

Kalin wrote: "It's one of the best books I've ever read. ."

Yes, the structure of the first book, to some extent following Geoffrey Chaucer, with a then-current idea linked to the nature of Shrike... and tree-ships!

ok people I'm interested to hear the thoughts of others since this book is in my top 5 of all time

Rebecca wrote: "ok people I'm interested to hear the thoughts of others since this book is in my top 5 of all time"

I also liked it very much upon the first read around the year 2000. I plan to re-read it starting the next week

I have been trying to read this and I just can't get interested. Maybe some other time.

I'm sorry. I am having trouble reading anything right now. Lack of concentration. I will get over it. I hope

Kateblue wrote: "I'm sorry. I am having trouble reading anything right now. Lack of concentration. I will get over it. I hope"

I hope you'll return to it one day for the book is good. But as always, read what keeps your interest, it should be a joy, not a drudge.

I had a chance to knock out a couple hours of the audio book today. The story is coming back to me as I go through it. It sucked me right in and I'm remembering why it was such a great book. I'm a pretty big fan of Simmons at any rate.

I've started the novel today. As I noted, I've read and very much enjoyed the translation of it 20 years ago. It is interesting to note that I was very impressed with the first story, plus I recall the overall plot, but as of now I cannot remember what the rest of the stories were about

Allan wrote: "I'm a pretty big fan of Simmons at any rate.."

I liked this quadrology, but haven't read anything else by him.

Oleksandr wrote: "Allan wrote: "I'm a pretty big fan of Simmons at any rate.."

I liked this quadrology, but haven't read anything else by him."

He's pretty versatile, able to write well indifferent genres. In addition to his SF, I've read a few of his horror titles:
The Terror - historical horror, somewhat overlong, but very good
Carrion Comfort - really creepy
Song of Kali - his first book, very creepy but there was some small element missing. Still well worth a read.

I usually don't read horror, even by known masters - it wasn't translated when I was young and formed my reading habits I guess. Y plan to try his Terror one day

Oleksandr wrote: "I usually don't read horror, even by known masters - it wasn't translated when I was young and formed my reading habits I guess. Y plan to try his Terror one day"

While it has a horror element, The Terror is less horror & more historical fiction, speculating on what happened to the lost expedition of Sir John Franklin in 1848. Nine years after Simmons published the book, HMS Terror was found in pristine condition at the bottom of an Arctic bay near King William Island.

The Terror was the first Simmons novel I read, and I liked it a lot. I subsequently read a few other things about the Franklin expedition, which has interested a variety of writers. I've since read a few other books by Simmons, none of them as good as The Terror in my opinion. Looking forward to starting Hyperion soon.

Based on Hyperion, I'm looking forward to trying the Ilium/Olympos duology, and of course finishing the rest of the Cantos.

I am glad that I read -- and fell in love with -- this book, before discovering that Simmons is pretty much a crotchety old asshole at this point.

@kalin lololo

Kalin wrote: "I am glad that I read -- and fell in love with -- this book, before discovering that Simmons is pretty much a crotchety old asshole at this point."

Note that all 4 books of the series each follows/alludes/pays homage to different works and styles - to space opera, political intrigue, mil-SF, etc. they all are good but IMHO the first is the best

Oleksandr wrote: "... they all are good but IMHO the first is the best ..."

I have to agree. The first few stories in Hyperion were the best for me. They were also pretty horrific. Lots of pain and blood. Not what I was expecting when I started it, but it was so well done.

I guess I'll finish it today. I may buddy read other volumes later this year if anyone is interested

I'll definitely buddy read Endymion and rise of Endymion with folks. haven't been able to get to those yet

Late getting started but I should be into it shortly.

Yes, I’d buddy read the others. I finished it last week & even managed to do it on long audio. Always wanted to read the others, and this re-read gave me the excuse to do it.

No need to buddy read, per se. The Fall of Hyperion and The Rise of Endymion are both in this group's TBR list.

I’ve read the first story. Pretty wild.

Stephen wrote: "I’ve read the first story. Pretty wild."

Weird but in a good way, right? :)

I think the horror writer in Simmons is apparent here.

Stephen wrote: "I think the horror writer in Simmons is apparent here."

Yep. And each chapter draws on a different (sub)genre, but that first one leans heavily into existential horror.

Stephen wrote: "I think the horror writer in Simmons is apparent here."

I think he does best in the horror genre. Not surprising that it's an element in many of his other books.

I’m at the end of chapter 4, about 65% through the Kindle ebook. It’s certainly an intense, ambitious book.

Another challenge I’m necroposting in, but I’ve finally decided to give this a try. Just started listening to the audio book tonight and only an hour into it. I’ll post my thoughts a bit here throughout.

Rebecca wrote: "Another challenge I’m necroposting in, but I’ve finally decided to give this a try. Just started listening to the audio ."

It is good

It does seem like everyone enjoyed it, I'm looking forward to it.