Does Space Opera Have To Be Relevant?
In their latest Mind Meld post, SFSignal are tackling the topic of Keeping Space Opera Relevant. Its a great read with some really strong contributions, but I found myself identifying most with the comments of Kage Baker.
Why does Space Opera have to be relevant? Why can’t it just be high octane fun? I’ve never really understood the “either / or” attitude that people have about science fiction. Why can’t we have the hard sf, political allegory, cutting edge speculative fiction and action oriented sci-fi?
Most of the things I like about soap opera (be it new or old works) don’t relate either to its relevance or its literary sophistication. Space Opera is (and I’m generalizing outrageously here of course) the equivalent of cinema’s high concept movies. I like the action, I like the epic feel it has. Give me space battles, give me threats to the galaxy if not the universe.
It really doesn’t worry me very much if this particular sub-genre of science fiction remains in the genre ghetto. So long as the genre as a whole is attracting new readers and space opera has enough fans that people keep writing it, I’m going to be a happy reader.
But maybe that’s me. I certainly can’t claim to be a trend setter. Or even much of a trend follower. Perhaps my taste in Space Opera is not the same as others. If I was to pick a single recent space opera that I really really liked, it would be The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton.
What is your all time favorite space opera and what is a recent favorite?
Eoghann Irving is amongst other things the creator and Editor of Solar Flare. He has a life long interest in all forms of science fiction and fantasy and a pressing need to share this interest with anyone who will listen. Find out more at his personal website eoghann.com..
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