Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died • Hacker News Board

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#151

Post by Gazoche » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:03 PM UTC

I have never read an ending that was as sad, happy, clever and beautiful as the ending to Rise of Endymion. To this day it's one of the very few books that made me shed a tear.

Now, over decade later, I am in the middle of re-reading every book in the Cantos series back to back (this time in their original language), and still loving them.

Rest in peace Mr Simmons. You had the words of a poet and the mind of a dreamer.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#152

Post by colkassad » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:05 PM UTC

ctvo wrote: post #33

Carrion Comfort is still one of the most creepy horror books I've ever read and is seldom mentioned when we talk about Dan Simmons.

The first person perspective of the old lady at the beginning of the book was so creepy.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#153

Post by lxgr » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:06 PM UTC

isr wrote: post #139

ZpJuUuNaQ5 wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>never read anything from ever again I think it's a poisonous and reductive mindset to have. You can separate art from the character of the artist. If you cared about everything everyone has ever said or done in various stages of their lives, you wouldn't have much left to enjoy or appreciate.

He's referring ... to his "art". Thats what the piece he linked to was a part of. Its not poisonous nor reductive to decide not to follow an "artist" because his "art" is repulsive.

Sure, but at the same time it's debatable whether even an artist themselves gets to retroactively reinterpret their own art that way.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#154

Post by eatonphil » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:06 PM UTC

I really liked Children of the Night.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#155

Post by elorm » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:11 PM UTC

Simmons wrote one of my favourite short stories of all time Vanni Fucci is Alive and Well and living in Hell.

While I'm definitely not willing to put myself through any of his books after 9/11, I haven't stopped recommending Vanni Fucci as an introduction to Dan Simmons.

Rest in peace.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#156

Post by crorella » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:11 PM UTC

I am sad to know about this, Dan Simmons had a mind blowing amount of imagination and the ability to turn that into interesting and imaginative books that expanded my imagination when I read them.

I loved Hyperion cantos, Illium and then non sci-fi books like A Winter Haunting and Summer of night (which I read in the wrong order lol).

I am also happy to read that he was a great person overall and a great teacher. May he rest in peace.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#157

Post by colkassad » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:12 PM UTC

sandmn wrote: post #101

virgil_disgr4ce wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

...does it though? I mean we don't have to argue about personal desires and opinions. But Hyperion simply doesn't seem adaptable. You would lose everything that makes it great.

Not sure about a film, but maybe TV series? I thought Game of Thrones was not adaptable but then HBO did it.

It would make a perfect mini-series. Each episode or two could cover each pilgrim's story, with a finale two-parter to wrap up Fall of Hyperion. A lot from Fall could be trimmed down.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#158

Post by Loughla » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:16 PM UTC

Aromasin wrote: post #39

Wow. I picked up a copy of Hyperion this morning while taking a random stroll through town - something I rarely do during a work day anymore. I popped into a book shop on a complete whim, and picked it up as it had been on my list for a while. The coincidence feels deeply uncanny.

Do yourself a favor and get the audiobook after you read the physical book. It is, hands down, the best audiobook ever made. By far and away.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#159

Post by jbaber » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:16 PM UTC

bee_rider wrote: post #96

perardi wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh, totally, it’s my head canon as well.

Mine is either that, or, the idea I mentioned in this post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47185076 Machines trying to be benevolent, but overly controlling.

That's very good.

Re: Dan Simmons, author of Hyperion, has died

#160

Post by ses1984 » Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:24 PM UTC

BigTTYGothGF wrote: post #92

I enjoyed the Hyperion books but this got him put on my "never read anything from ever again" list: https://web.archive.org/web/20060424105133/http://www.dansim...

Can you perhaps explain what is objectionable so I don’t have to read the objectionable thing?