'Space Opera' by Catherynne M. Valente is a wild and imaginative science fiction novel that follows the story of a washed-up rock star and his band who must compete in an intergalactic Eurovision-style song contest to save humanity from extinction. The book is described as a mix of Douglas Adams' humor, glam punk rock music, and psychedelic aesthetics, with a heavy focus on over-the-top worldbuilding and quirky characters. The writing style is noted for its complex sentence structures, dense syntax, and high-level vocabulary, which can make it challenging to follow at times, especially in the audio book version.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include mentions of grief, loss, and existential threats to humanity, which can provoke emotional responses.
Has Romance?
While there is a focus on relationships and personal connections, romance is not the central theme but rather interwoven with the characters' development.
From The Publisher:
2019 HUGO AWARD FINALIST, BEST NOVEL
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets the joy and glamour of Eurovision in bestselling author Catherynne M. Valente's science fiction spectacle, where sentient races compete for glory in a galactic musical contest…and the stakes are as high as the fate of planet Earth.
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 great galactic 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. Species far and wide compete in feats of song, dance and/or whatever facsimile of these can be performed by various creatures who may or may not possess, in the traditional sense, feet, mouths, larynxes, or faces. And if a new species should wish to be counted among the high and the mighty, if a new planet has produced some savage group of animals, machines, or algae that claim to be, against all odds, sentient? Well, then they will have to compete. And if they fail? Sudden extermination for their entire species.
This year, though, humankind has discovered the enormous universe. And while they expected to discover a grand drama of diplomacy, gunships, wormholes, and stoic councils of aliens, they have instead found glitter, lipstick, and electric guitars. Mankind will not get to fight for its destiny-they must sing.
Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes have been chosen to represent their planet on the greatest stage in the galaxy. And the fate of Earth lies in their ability to rock.
Ratings (13)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Did Not Like (2) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (55):
Read It (13) | |
Want To Read (36) | |
Not Interested (6) |
3 comment(s)
Wasn't as fun or entertaining as I hoped it would be, was not invested one bit.
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 esperaba (no se por qué lo esperaba así).
I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time through but I made the mistake of reading it at work on breaks and during downtime. This time, I'm going to pace myself and read it at home, in peace.
What can you read after
Space Opera?
About the Author:
Catherynne M. Valente is an acclaimed, New York Times bestselling creator of over forty works of fantasy and science fiction, including the Fairyland novels and The Glass Town Game. She has been nominated for the Nebula and World Fantasy awards, and has won the Tiptree, Hugo, and Andre Norton award. She lives on a small island off the coast of Maine with her partner, young son, and a shockingly large cat with most excellent tufts.
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