If you are even a little into science fiction you should read this 1990 Hugo Award winner. It is about a diplomat, a soldier, a Catholic priest, a spaceship captain, a private investigator, a Jewish scholar and a poet who have been chosen to undertake a mysterious pilgrimage. There is not much introduction about any of this, but the details about their mission and the universe the book is set in (humanity split into two opposing factions, spread out among many planets after Earth was destroyed, with sentient AIs that follow their own agenda) unfold as one by one they start telling their life stories (to each other and the reader). Each of these accounts is completely different and good enough to make for an interesting short story in itself.

A lot of science fiction's topics are touched upon, but the main theme is time: The destination of the pilgrimage are the mysterious Time Tombs, a place that is said to travel back in time. A girl starts to grow younger every time she falls asleep. Relationships are strained when people travel a few months on spaceships (most of these months in cryogenic sleep), but when they return many years have passed on their home planet. Medical procedures extend the life-spans of (rich) people. A reclusive tribe does not appear to age at all.

The only problem is that Hyperion is only half of a book: After the pilgrims have told their tales (which makes up most of the book) and are ready to start their pilgrimage, the book abruptly ends, and you have to get The Fall of Hyperion.