Simmons is a rare writer who can weave between all kinds of genres with an ease that must frustrate a lot of other writers. He does it with such a grasp of each genre that I'm baffled as to how he does it. He's written all kinds of fiction: sci-fi, horror, historical, detective, real life, and literary. His sci-fi novels consisting of Hyperion, Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, and Rise of Endymion are not only my favorite sci-fi books I've ever read but my favorite books I've ever read. His horror book Carrion Comfort is the best horror book I've read. Am I hyping him to much? Not nearly enough. The main reason is, is that I don't read a lot about him, which is a shame because he is one of the best writers I've ever read. He consistently writes some of the best characters and his never afraid to reveal things in a story when most writers tend to hold everything to their chest and reveal nothing. Simmons is not afraid to talk about the plot or pull the curtain away from plot threads in a story. He's not insecure in that way and has complete faith and trust in the reader. His stories never feel out of control. Even his story Summer of Night - a horror story through and through I didn't like because it adhered to the horror genre to tightly but it was that sticking close to what that genre is about that made it a worthy addition to the horror genre.
All of that being said Phases of Gravity really has no set story but is more of journey the main character takes to understand himself and the world he lives in. Needless to say I found it very interesting as once again Simmons creates a fascinating character and the populates the story with more fascinating characters. Despite the fact nothing really happens in the story, I didn't care because the characters were so interesting, their conversations deep without verging on literary pretentiousness crap that so many writers seem to vomit out now-a-days. Simmons is concerned with the characters and the journey these characters make. Their view points and philosophical thoughts ring true because that is where these characters are in their life. They aren't just rumbling on to be a mouth piece for the writer - their words have context to them and what they are going through. Another thing Simmons does well is that he's able to present both sides of a thought without seeming like he's preaching at you. His arguments are always filtered with different points of view with most of the time both view points given their weight and due.
I've got to say I did get caught up in the main characters journey to discover himself and to find a life outside of his space flights.
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