Polyamory-Related Books

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The Rise of Endymion

Dan Simmons

Bantam Books

Dan Simmons is an excellent writer, and this is one of my favorite of his books. Endymion is the fourth of the authors Hyperion saga (the first three being Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, and Endymion.) To my mind the books really form two pairs, with this latest work being the direct continuation of the storyline begun in Endymion. This book brings a compelling completion to this ground-breaking series.

In this newest volume, Raul Endymion is forced to travel through a variety of worlds, and at one point during those travels he comes across an interesting poly situation. The humans on that particular world mostly form triunes (what we would call triads), and a family he is rescued by is no exception. However, they face a difficult choice because of it. Their dying son can be rescued by the physical immortality that the Church offers, but at the cost of all their conversion to the Church, which won't recognize their relationship (both because of the number of partners and because of the same-sex relationship it contains.)

Although poly relationships are often included in science fiction, often I feel that their inclusion is somewhat shallow. Simmons here brings us a true story that involves polyamorous people, even if only for a chapter or two, that deserves mention.

Tomcat rates this book a 10 (Best Available on the Subject) and says:
The fabula of the book is so powerful that it can change reader's view on the reality. The subject that book is about, by my humble opinion, is finding the end of the endless self-development that human kind is going through RIGHT NOW!!!! Indeed a hard task! but the writer succeded to create some sort of hybrid reallity of universe that can give us a temporary secure cozy hiding place.

Warner rates this book a 10 (Best Available on the Subject) and says:
You will only read Endymion if you have enjoyed the rest of the series. You will not be disappointed. Why isn't Dan Simmons more widely known? The books are are life changing. Their impact lives with me, and others who have experienced them. comments = The only other author I have read, who is fantastic, yet not as widely acclaimed as deserved, is Trevanian, author of Shibumi.

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