Back in 2006, this huge, nearly 1000 page anthology showed up to be the definitive Space Opera anthology of its time. Hartwell and Cramer take the clever approach of presenting older Space Opera stories with new ones. Most of the currently practicing Space Opera writers are represented here along with some classic writers like Hamilton, Williamson, and Brackett. If you’re even vaguely interested in the genre of SF Space Opera, this book is a treasure-trove. If you’re looking for an introductory anthology of Space Opera, this book maps the field very well. Copies are available online at inexpensive prices. Highly recommended!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
* 9 • Introduction: How Shit Became Shinola: Definition and Redefinition of Space Opera • essay by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
* 21 • The Star Stealers • (1929) • shortfiction by Edmond Hamilton
* 45 • The Prince of Space • (1931) • novella by Jack Williamson
* 92 • Enchantress of Venus • [Eric John Stark] • (1949) • novella by Leigh Brackett
* 134 • The Swordsmen of Varnis • (1950) • shortstory by Clive Jackson (aka The Swordsman of Varnis) [as by Geoffrey Cobbe ]
* 139 • The Game of Rat and Dragon • [The Instrumentality of Mankind] • (1955) • shortstory by Cordwainer Smith
* 151 • Empire Star • (1966) • novel by Samuel R. Delany
* 200 • Zirn Left Unguarded, the Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead • (1972) • shortstory by Robert Sheckley
* 207 • Temptation • [The Uplift Series] • (1999) • novella by David Brin
* 243 • Ranks of Bronze • [Ranks of Bronze] • (1975) • shortstory by David Drake
* 251 • Weatherman • [Miles Vorkosigan] • (1990) • novella by Lois McMaster Bujold
* 297 • A Gift from the Culture • [Culture] • (1987) • shortstory by Iain M. Banks
* 311 • Orphans of the Helix • [Hyperion Cantos] • (1999) • novelette by Dan Simmons
* 344 • The Well Wishers • [Plenty / Tabitha Jute] • (1996) • novella by Colin Greenland
* 379 • Escape Route • [Confederation Universe Stories] • (1997) • novella by Peter F. Hamilton
* 415 • Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington • [Honor Harrington Universe] • (2001) • novella by David Weber
* 493 • Aurora in Four Voices • [Skolian Empire] • (1998) • novella by Catherine Asaro
* 524 • Ring Rats • (2002) • novella by R. Garcia y Robertson
* 557 • The Death of Captain Future • [Near Space] • (1995) • novella by Allen Steele
* 589 • A Worm in the Well • (1995) • novelette by Gregory Benford
* 607 • The Survivor • [Man-Kzin Wars] • (1991) • novella by Donald Kingsbury
* 715 • Fool’s Errand • (1993) • shortstory by Sarah Zettel
* 727 • The Shobies’ Story • [Hainish] • (1990) • novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin
* 745 • The Remoras • [Marrow] • (1994) • novelette by Robert Reed
* 768 • Recording Angel • (1995) • novelette by Paul J. McAuley
* 788 • The Great Game • (2003) • shortstory by Stephen Baxter
* 802 • Lost Sorceress of the Silent Citadel • (2002) • novelette by Michael Moorcock
* 823 • Space Opera • (1997) • shortstory by Michael Kandel
* 833 • Grist • (1998) • novella by Tony Daniel
* 873 • The Movements of Her Eyes • (2000) • novelette by Scott Westerfeld
* 892 • Spirey and the Queen • (1996) • shortfiction by Alastair Reynolds
* 914 • Bear Trap • (2000) • novelette by Charles Stross
* 929 • Guest Law • (1997) • novelette by John C. Wright
No wonder it’s so big. Look at the number of novellas and novelettes. Still, it sounds pretty good despite the boring cover.
Bob, you’re right about the cover. A cool EMSH cover would have been a vast improvement.
I definitely need an introduction to it – haven’t really read any since my teens – thanks George
Sergio, THE SPACE OPERA RENAISSANCE is the perfect anthology to get you up to speed.
Think the cover was trying for a more upmarket, literary sell. Which was the book’s point.
Bill, you’re right. The cover was aimed at a different audience.
Great pick. Looks like something I need to order.
Bill, you’ll find inexpensive copies all over the Internet. I bought my hardcover edition at a Library Book Sale for a quarter.
What Bill said. I’ve never heard of it and I have definitely been catching up on a lot of stuff I missed.
Jeff, this anthology delivers a lot of great stories.
Surprisingly, my library has two copies available, including one at my local branch!
Jeff, you’ll enjoy this massive volume!
I see there is an introduction about the definition of “space opera”. Based on some of the contents, I don’t think my definition is the same. But then, the term was coined in the early days, when science fiction was mostly about people in (duh) space, which it no longer seems to be. I would say, George, that “space opera” isn’t a genre, it’s a type of story — my opinion, though these days people like to break everything into tiny pieces and label every one of them.
This is WAY outside my reading interests (my closest acquaintance with the genre is Perelman’s “Captain Future, Block That Kick!”), but I went to Amazon & read the Introduction via Look Inside! and found it fascinating. Rick, its main theme is that the definition of “space opera” has morphed almost decade-by-decade and now apparently means the exact opposite of what it once meant.
Art, you’re right. The definition of “Space Opera” has morphed from its origins a 100 years ago. Hartwell and Cramer’s fine Introduction explains everything.
Rick, it’s mostly marketing. “Space Opera,” “Military SF,” “Steam-punk,” etc. are labels to help the readers find what they’re looking for.
I know that, George, but it loses as many readers as it gains. And if the terms change every decade, of what use are they?
Rick, the marketing of the publishers just adjusts to the new audience.
…or perhaps the other way round.
I know Bill misses the old days but how can you argue with this? I read George’s review this morning, looked at the library website, saw they had a copy at my local branch, put it on hold, and now it is sitting there waiting for me.
Jeff, I feel the same way. I order books recommended by you and Bill and Patti and a dozen other perceptive critics the moment after I finish reading the review. And AMAZON has them here in 2 days. You can’t beat that!