Space Opera

English language

Published Nov. 1, 2018

ISBN:
978-1-4721-1507-2
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(49 reviews)

Space Opera is a 2018 science fiction novel by Catherynne Valente, about a galactic version of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was first published by Saga Press.

In space everyone can hear you sing.

A century ago, the Sentience Wars tore the galaxy apart and nearly ended the entire concept of intelligent space-faring life. In the aftermath, a curious tradition was invented-something to cheer up everyone who was left and bring the shattered worlds together in the spirit of peace, unity, and understanding.

Once every cycle, the civilizations gather for the Metagalactic Grand Prix - part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation of the wars of the past. Instead of competing in orbital combat, the powerful species that survived face off in a competition of song, dance, or whatever can be physically performed in an intergalactic talent show. The stakes are high for this new …

2 editions

Review of 'Space Opera' on 'Goodreads'

Sobre el papel, un libro sobre "universovisión", juntando Eurovisión y La guía del autoestopista galáctico en un solo libro, es bastante interesante. Lo que me he encontrado es un libro mitad worldbuilding extremo mitad historia entretenida de perdedores, pero que no destaca demasiado en ninguna de las dos partes.

Como cosas buenas, la mejor es la cantidad distinta de razas que aparecen, aunque sean solo mencionadas, y que van desde ramos de flores sentientes, a inteligencias artificiales pasando por pandas rojos hiperactivos que viajan en el tiempo.

Lo peor para mi del libro espero que tenga que ver con el idioma, y es que las descripciones se me han hecho particularmente difíciles de seguir, con muchísimo adjetivo y poca capacidad para mantener mi atención. Espero que sea solo cosa mía, y que en la traducción sea más soportable.

En resumen, el libro está bien, pero no es tan espectacular como …

Review of 'Space Opera' on 'Goodreads'

A Sci-Fi Novel based on the Eurovisoin? How good could it be?

Very good!

Funny and clever where I would have expected superficial and shallow.

I've finished rereading Space Opera

This is one of those novels I'll keep returning to.

It's wonderful satire: Smart, Biting, Absurd.

Valente understands sci-fi, she toys with it, tangling the universe in a complicated knot that pays off so wonderfully.

But most of all this novel has a tome to its prose that captivates me. I had to listen at regular speed to enjoy the rapid fire of wonderful descriptions.

It has a particular writing style, a rhythm that comes out wonderfully in in Heath Miller's narration of thee audiobook.

Review of 'Space Opera' on 'Goodreads'

I seem to find no time to write this review. So in lieu of an actual one here‘s my twitter review:

„Just read the gleaming, glittery space-glam adventure called „Space Opera“ by @catvalente - if you like sentient rocks, flowers, and zombies, dig the threat of a fiery apocalypse & think that „Life is beautiful and life is stupid“ read! PS: time traveling red panda”

Bear in mind the title has to absolutely be taken literally. Don’t overlook the author’s fascination with the Eurovision song contest and the preponderance of world and character building over plot (which is still well-paced and with extremely high stakes for humanity).

I’d recommend this for fans of “Big Lebowski” or “Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas”. The weirdness is high for this one.

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