Sunday, May 17, 2009

The Top Ten Rules Of Space Opera

The Top Ten Rules Of Space Opera, article.

To my mind, Iain M. Banks is the king of space opera. One of the things he has down is the ridiculously immense object/ship/building thingy. Even his non-SF books has it, for example his main character will be living in a massive old converted church or the like. I a sucker for that shit.

9 comments:

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

Once again, I have little to comment right away, but thank you greatly for the documentation and, um, "writing tips".

If you want to write parody, knowin' da rules is essential.

Anonymous said...

Pff. Iain M Banks is good, but he's no match for the late Frank Herbert. Dune is timeless, the Culture won't be.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

"Dune is timeless": you got THAT right!
That story's universe isn't likely to turn silly with the advances of science, it's been solidly made.

I so love good, well written sci-fi.

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Remember that Gary Larson drawing of a big meeting room for the annual meeting of "People Who Didn't Like Dances With Wolves"? The room had like three people in it.
Me and Algis Budrys had a similar club about Dune, and now I guess I'll have to go to the meetings alone.

Anonymous said...

you got THAT right!
That story's universe isn't likely to turn silly with the advances of science, it's been solidly made.


I hope my sarcasm detector is working. I hope you're not serious.

strum the sky said...

I love the peculiar (to me) subcultures within science fiction (OK, sci-fi) that the British in particular seem so good at: one is giant things -- most every Brit seems to tackle it but Brian Aldiss was the best at it, for me - "The Giant," washed up on a beach... And they do world-class disasters better than anyone else (John Christopher, JG Ballard). John Varley, Disch, Niven (all USA) are great, too, at going big. Love the wonder tapped in these stories.

Anonymous said...

Pff. Iain M Banks is good, but he's no match for the late Frank Herbert. Dune is timeless, the Culture won't be.

I love how so many people state opinions as facts. It's like they're saying that because it's their opinion it doesn't need to be backed up by any facts or evidence, "Guys, come on, it's me saying this."

M.A.T.T. (Masked Acronymist The Terrible) said...

"they're saying that [...] it doesn't need to be backed up"
I love how so many people state opinions as facts...

F.A.C.T. : (Funnily Articulated Complete Tat)

M.A.T.T.
"You can just call me... Ivan."

Anonymous said...

Anonymous has sunk to a new low.

Anyway, I haven't read Dune but the movie (theatrical and made-for-TV versions) haven't been all that impressive.