Space Opera is a 2018 science fiction novel by Catherynne M. Valente, about a galactic version of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was first published by Saga Press.
Synopsis In order to join galactic civilization — rather than be declared non-sentient, and subsequently eradicated — humanity must participate in the Metagalactic Grand Prix, an interspecies music contest. Winning is not necessary, as long as the participants are not ranked last. However, when the alien emissaries supply a list of suggested musicians, the only entry on the list to not be dead or otherwise physically incapable of performing is Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes, a washed-up, burnt-out glam rock trio with only two surviving members.
Reception
Kirkus Reviews found it "charming", albeit "[l]ight on plot and originality", and drew parallels to Rick and Morty and the works of Daniel Pinkwater.SPACE OPERA, reviewed at Kirkus Reviews; published online April 16, 2018; retrieved May 31, 2019 Publishers Weekly praised Valente's "effervescent prose [as] wildly creative and often funny", while conceding that the novel's "frequent tangents can make for chaotic reading."Space Opera, reviewed at Publishers Weekly; reviewed February 19, 2018; retrieved May 31, 2019 In the Financial Times, James Lovegrove noted its "ripe satiric potential", but also its "somewhat meagre plot"."Short review: Space Opera by Catherynne M Valente", by James Lovegrove, in the Financial Times; published September 28, 2018; retrieved May 31, 2019 The Guardian called it an "over-the-top, absurdist extravaganza" with a "frantic narrative" and "pertinent observations about diversity and gender politics".The best recent science fiction novels – review roundup, by Eric Brown, in the Guardian; published September 7, 2018; retrieved May 31, 2019
Year Award Category Result . 2019 Campbell Memorial Award Science Fiction Novel Hugo Award Novel Locus Award Science Fiction Novel 2025 Seiun Award Translated Novel
Origin Valente has described the book as the result of having been publicly dared, by one of her Twitter followers, to write a science fiction / fantasy version of Eurovision; an editor then offered to buy such a novel from her, sight unseen.The Big Idea: Catherynne M. Valente, by Catherynne M. Valente, at John Scalzi's Whatever; published April 12, 2018; retrieved May 31, 2019
Sequel In 2019, Valente announced that she was working on a sequel, to be titled Space Oddity.Catherynne Valente Is Writing a Sequel to Space Opera. Yes, it Is Called Space Oddity, by Joel Cunningham, at Barnes & Noble; published April 3, 2019; retrieved May 31, 2019
Adaptation As of September 2018, Space Opera was under development as a movie.
References