Hugo Award winner Simmons returns to science fiction after a pair of horror novels ( Summer of Night ; Children of the Night ) with this impressive and thoughtful novel about the pain and the power of telepathy. Jeremy and Gail were made sad and lonely by their ability to read others' minds, until they found each other. Married, they grew closer than any non-telepathic couple ever could. But when Gail dies, Jeremy goes over the edge. He finds himself inundated with "neurobabble," unable to keep out the roaring ocean of other thoughts that surrounds him. Drowning in despair, he begins a journey meant to resemble bear an unmistak able resemblance to that of Dante in his Divine Comedy --he flees his job, friends and home; runs afoul of gangsters in Florida; lives homeless in Denver; and uses his telepathy to win his way to wealth in Las Vegas. Simmons is at his best during Jeremy's descent into despair, searching for relief from the neurobabble and flirting with suicide. Blending chaos theory, quantum physics and neuroscience, Simmons constructs a vague but intriguing scientific explanation of telepathy. The power-of-love happy ending may leave some readers unsatisified, since it doesn't resolve some of the book's bleaker issues, but Simmons's novel remains an engrossing look at a well-worn concept. of telepathy.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

The untimely death of telepath Gail Bremen casts husband Jeremy adrift on a tidal wave of unfiltered thoughts. Jeremy's struggle to come to terms with his life and his wife's death leads him to a young boy lost in his own mental nightmare. The author of the award-winning Hyperion (Doubleday, 1989) and The Fall of Hyperion ( LJ 3/15/90) demonstrates his facility with atmosphere in this sf/fantasy blend that penetrates the mind's landscape. Recommended for large fiction or sf collections.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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29 Reviews

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3.4 out of 5 stars (29 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful throughout, Feb 11 2004

By	Aletheia Tamewitz (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Hollow Man (Paperback)

I think this is probably one of the best works I have ever read, by anyone (I say "probably" because Neil Gaiman's Sandman series is quite a rival for best). I can't say enough good things about it. For anyone who loves TRUE science fiction (and by that I mean fiction that relies heavily upon actual science for the plot, not simply fantasy set in outer space) this is a must-have gem far surpassing the Hyperion series.

I read another review of this book, though, saying that the short story version is better. If anyone knows what the short story version is called, and where I can find it, please e-mail me at ladykuus@aol.com.

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2.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre for Dan Simmons, May 14 2004

By	Paul H. Cho "chochung" (Colleyville, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Hollow Man (Paperback)

First off, I am a huge fan of Dan Simmons, but I felt that 'The Hollow Man' fell far below his usual standards in storytelling and writing. Although it begins and initially proceeds well, towards the end it becomes confused and it seems that Mr. Simmons doesn't really know how to end the story and resolve all the questions it ultimately poses. I'd recommend skipping this novel altogether and reading his other excellent novels, especially the Hyperion series.

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2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing and disjointed, Mar 14 2004

By	cathy "cathy-w" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hollow Man (Paperback)

I bought this because Hyperion was excellent and was very disappointed. I couldn't identify with the characters, the narrative jumped about too much, the science didn't interest me, the plot didn't interest me and I'm glad I picked it up second hand rather than paying full price!

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Different, yet enlightening.
I read this after reading the Hyperion books, wondering what else Simmons had to offer and found that this guy thinks big thoughts and communicates them well. Read more

Published on Dec 7 2003 by Josh Strait

4.0 out of 5 stars Hollow Man should be read on its own terms
Hollow Man may not be for everyone and may not be Simmons' best, but neither objection warrants a negative review of the novel. Read more

Published on Jul 15 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes more is not better...
This and Summer of Night are my two favorite Dan Simmons books. However, I enjoyed the short story version of Hollow Man more than the novel version. Read more

Published on Dec 18 2002 by Dianne Mock

3.0 out of 5 stars Eye - opening...
Who among us hasn't wished we could read others' minds? Jeremy Bremen proves it's not a blessing but a curse. Read more

Published on Sep 24 2002 by DeeDee