Space Opera Fans discussion
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Welcome Wagon & Rules
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Introduce Yourself - Part I
Hello!I'm Curt Crowe.
Favorite Books - Lonesome Dove. Best space opera I ever read - the Earth is in space, isn't it?
Any Nero Wolfe book by Rex Stout or even those who wrote Wolfe stories after Rex died.
Anything by Heinlein.
Favorite TV Space Opera - Babylon 5
Day Job - Audio forensics specialist.
Early morning and late night job - Long format space opera author
Favorite SciFi movie - Alien(s)
Favorite Food - Hard to decide. It could be either a medium rare cut of prime rib or a corndog. Depends on the mood.
And the corndog.
Welcome all my fellow newbies. My question for you: What do you think of Christopher Nuttall's The Empire's Corps series.My thought: It went from good by a new author to very good by an established author and has now reached bloated.
Jon
Hi john What do you mean by Bloated?is this a good or bad thing? I have never read this series or anything by this author and am just trying to get a handle on whether or not you think the series fell off at the end.
Hi everyone,I am an author, but I don't write scifi, so I won't be pimping my books here.
I read almost all genres. My favorite scifi includes the classics, Dune, The Foundation Trilogy, anything by Robert Heinlein (I love Friday). I'm a total trekkie, and while I gave Gaurdians of the Galaxy a 'B', I think Galaxy Quest is brilliant.
I don't watch a lot of TV- sulked for a year when they cancelled Firefly - but I've been picking up The Expanse lately and really enjoying it.
Also watching Expanse - and enjoying it! (Just joined this group myself, btw.)
Alex Man Man wrote: "Hello everyone, I am here to discover books and comic books which I would not have found otherwise. My local bookstore has become mainstream... It is possible, and my conversations with the owner s..."Welcome Alex! My sympathy about the local bookstore going mainstream. They fail to realize that by snubbing the little local authors, they are, ultimately killing their own business because then authors send everybody to Amazon to buy their books. If you're into Space Opera, you should find plenty of good stuff here. We have a graphic novel / manga novel Listopia. Did you find it? It's kind of an emerging subset of space opera (if you discount all the Star Trek and Star Wars and Buck Rogers classics), but there's some really good stuff coming out of Asia and some of the indie comic houses.
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Matthew wrote: "The first opera I ever read was "Bio Of a Space Tyrant by Piers Anthony"..."
Yea! Another Bio fan! That was my first experience with decathologies and space-cannibalism (brrrg!).
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Curtis wrote: "Favorite SciFi movie - Alien(s)..."
Welcome Curtis! I watched that movie on HBO the weekend I moved into our new house and my husband had to go out of town on a business trip. Scared the crap out of me. I don't think I slept for days afterward!
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Gem wrote: "I don't watch a lot of TV- sulked for a year when they cancelled Firefly ..."
Welcome Gem! I started writing my own sci-fantasy novels after they canceled Firefly and Stargate SG-1 all too close to one another. I'm still sulking, though I've started binge-watching entire series on DVD. The television execs are so flaky these days that I don't dare watch a show until I see it has some longevity.
John wrote: "Deborah I did a compare books with your shelves. I think you are the first person I have done that with that has read any of the Dr. Syn books. Have you ever seen the version Disney did back in the..."Ooo they did movies of Dr Syn? I am intrigued - what were they like John, did you see them? And how sad is it that they are so obscure, I still think they are brilliant books...
Anna wrote: "Jon wrote: "Favorite TV shows: No tv for 15+ years..."Welcome Jon! I went 8 years with no television, then I got married and watched for a couple of years, but then they killed the Stargate, so I..."
Hi Anna, I was after Marine-science (Marine of the oceanography / biology type rather than than military type) by preference but fiction with a Marine slant would be fine and sci-fi with a Marine slant even better!
btw - does this group have a 'what you you reading' or 'what book have you just finished' thread? I can't seem to find one...
Deborah wrote: "John wrote: "Deborah I did a compare books with your shelves. I think you are the first person I have done that with that has read any of the Dr. Syn books. Have you ever seen the version Disney di..."Disney did a three parter for their Wonder World of Color TV show back in the sixties with Patrick McGoohan as Dr. Syn. The episodes were roughly based on the third Dr. Syn novel. They went under the umbrella title of "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh". They were then edited into a movie for overseas distribution (I think they used mostly the first and third episode). A few years ago Disney put out a two disc set in its Walt Disney Treasures series but it is now out-of-print.
Hammer Films also did a Dr. Syn movie, this one based on the seventh (and last) book "Dr. Syn". For legal reasons they had to change the name from Dr. Syn to Dr. Blyss. It was called Night Creatures and starred Peter Cushing in the lead role. I saw it on television quite a few years ago and recall that it wasn't a bad film. It is also known as Captain Clegg (Night Creatures was the US title I think)
Finally there is a 1937 movie starring George Arliss in his last screen role. It seems to be based on the last book as well. I have not seen this one. And here I go hijacking this thread again. Sorry everyone but I did get asked for any information.
Mod
Marine biology in space? Is that possible? I suppose it is. Marine xenobiology. How about Cachalot or the books of the Pern series that include the enhanced dolphins, e.g. The Dolphins of Pern.
Deborah wrote: "btw - does this group have a 'what you you reading' or 'what book have you just finished' thread? ..."Hi Deborah!
I just added a 'what are you reading' thread! Great idea :-)
HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Hello, im vicky and I used recently have discovered the space theme. I saw my first Star Wars movie a few weeks ago lol. I have been a twilight fan for years. After reading some scifi and going to some comic shops its prettt cool.
Wow, Victoria: It is hard for me to even imagine what it would be like to have a whole, great genre before me. Sample, enjoy.
Victoria wrote: "Hello, im vicky and I used recently have discovered the space theme. I saw my first Star Wars movie a few weeks ago lol. I have been a twilight fan for years. After reading some scifi and going to ..."I guess we were all in that position at one time, having an entire genre at our fingertips and not knowing where to start. Some of us just had fewer choices then people do now. If you want suggestions I am sure everyone here can make several (at least)
Victoria wrote: "Hello, im vicky and I used recently have discovered the space theme. I saw my first Star Wars movie a few weeks ago lol. I have been a twilight fan for years. After reading some scifi and going to ..."Welcome Victoria! If you're a recovering Twilight fan, you might enjoy scoping out our Space Opera Fans LISTOPIAS. Our members have been helping us curate the various sub-genres so you can find everything from hardcore military space opera to space-with-romance to space-manga to young adult.
John wrote: "Deborah I did a compare books with your shelves. I think you are the first person I have done that with that has read any of the Dr. Syn books. Have you ever seen the version Disney did back in the..."Crikey. I'm the only person I know who's read any of the Dr Syn, books, and I read them all, obsessively! Patrick McGoohan is the actor you were struggling to find. I loved the tv serials, but the books were better, as always.
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Teresa wrote: "I've been mostly lurking for more than a month. Past time I introduced myself. I fell in love with SF&F when I was 12, which was mumble mumble decades ago..."Welcome Teresa! My first great literary love was sci-fi as well, Isaac Asimov's later Foundation books.
Don’t know if I ever introduced myself, my name is Tom Julian and I am the author of Timberwolf, a novel that came out in August 2015. If I was in an elevator, I would describe Twolf as Aliens + Apocalypse Now. It’s getting great reviews, with readers citing the interesting characters, cinematic quality and tightly written and edited story. Thanks all! Sorry for not introducing myself before.
Hi, I'm Charles Douglas, and I just published my first book last week. One of the first movies I ever saw was The Empire Strikes Back and I have been hooked on sci-fi ever since. I have had a few cartoons published in papers nationally about 15 years ago, and I worked in television commercials for awhile. (I still dabble in small video projects here and there) To make ends meet I'm a pizza maker! The last book I read was "Ready Player One" and really dug the 80's references.
Hi all the new people! I've been on holidays, so I'm a bit late with my hellos, but welcome!
Hello all :-) My name is Gaines, and I live in Australia. I suppose I've been in love with space opera ever since I saw the first Star Wars as a 4-yr-old (and saw it again and again over the following years). I'm not exactly sure what "space opera" entails, however. I have read a few books that undoubtedly fall into that category -- Matter, for one -- but I have also read quite a few books that might (?) be considered "space opera," only not on a galactic scale, but set within our solar system. Quite a few of Ben Bova's books, for example. Would those be considered "space opera?" If not, into what sub-genre of sci-fi would those normally be categorized?
Thanks for having me in the group. I look forward to meeting you all and discussing some good books & stories together :-)
Gaines wrote: "Hello all :-) My name is Gaines, and I live in Australia. I suppose I've been in love with space opera ever since I saw the first Star Wars as a 4-yr-old (and saw it again and again over the follow..."Welcome Gaines! We have a fairly permissive view of Space Opera in this community because your friendly Borg Queen wants to assimilate all the cool stuff 3:-) but we have a definition and discussion thread HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
As you can see from the discussion which follows my blather, the definition shifts according who is doing the talking, but all agree 'larger than life' seems to be one of the criteria.
Welcome to Space Opera Fans!
Anna wrote: "Welcome Gaines!We have a fairly permissive view of Space Opera in this community because your friendly Borg Queen wants to assimilate all the cool stuff 3:-) but we have a definition and discussion thread HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."
Alright Anna, thank you, and thanks for the link :-)
Hi Gaines! *waves from The Upper Hunter*
John wrote: "Deborah wrote: "John wrote: "Deborah I did a compare books with your shelves. I think you are the first person I have done that with that has read any of the Dr. Syn books. Have you ever seen the v..."Wow, me and popcorn time may have to see what we can find...
Jemima wrote: "John wrote: "Deborah I did a compare books with your shelves. I think you are the first person I have done that with that has read any of the Dr. Syn books. Have you ever seen the version Disney di..."And still on the Dr. Syn theme: I have the first three books but I never even knew there were more of them!
Deborah wrote: "Jemima wrote: "John wrote: "Deborah I did a compare books with your shelves. I think you are the first person I have done that with that has read any of the Dr. Syn books. Have you ever seen the ve..."There are a total of seven but the last one "Dr. Syn" was actually written first. And I promise to try not to hijack this thread again.
John wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Jemima wrote: "John wrote: "Deborah I did a compare books with your shelves. I think you are the first person I have done that with that has read any of the Dr. Syn books. Have you ..."I'm glad you did, though ;)
Hi, I'm Julie from Barnstable MA on Cape CodI am a primary care physician. I really enjoy talking with my patients.
Favorite books: most of Vernor Vinge, Iain Banks, Perdido Street Station, the Vorkosigen books, Terry Pratchett, Ender's Game, Good Omens, most Peter Hamilton, LOTR, Asimov, Heinlein, Arthur C Clarke, although I now realize some of those stories were a bit sexist. I like most of McDevitt. Also love Jane Austen, James Herriot, Wind in the Willows, Cutting for Stone, Time Traveler's Wife.
Don't have much time for TV, but love Star Trek (esp next gen) and Firefly. Now watching Call the Midwife. Look forward to starting Downton Abbey
Love Star Wars 4,5,6, the LOTR movies, although not the Hobbit movies. Love Michael Moore movies, too. Oh, and James Bond movies are super fun.
I garden and walk and play with our rescue dog Pollywog, and cook. I make a great Minnesota wild rice soup.
In my line of work, I find I don't like depressing books and movies; it's better to find something diverting.
I don't want to make anyone mad, but one reason I love sci fi is that I want to see our world with it's problems (like global warming and poverty) solved and people fulfilling their potential. I see so many poor patients who can't afford medicine through no fault of their own. I do read some dystopian novels but my favorite ones are about exploration and people making progress--and if the books are a little humorous, so much the better! Who needs a lot of dystopian books with the world the way it is now?
Mod
Welcome, Julie. I wholeheartedly agree. I avoid dystopian books like the plague. I prefer something hopeful.
Leonie wrote: "Hi Gaines! *waves from The Upper Hunter*"Hey! *waves from the Illawarra* :-)
Julie wrote: "I garden and walk and play with our rescue dog Pollywog, and cook. I make a great Minnesota wild rice soup."
Cool name for a dog :-) And what is Minnesota wild rice soup? sounds yum.
Nice to meet you.
Well, her real name is Polly, but we love calling her Pollywog. The soup is chicken chunks with tons of chopped veggies cooked with wild rice, then you add cream. The kids always want that soup!Nice to meet you all, too!
I also enjoyed Hyperion. Went to a local sci fi book club, and they all hated Hyperion. One member went on a rant about democrats and Obama. I never went back to that club. Happy to be here!
Sounds yummy. And are you talking about Hyperion? That's been on my to-read list ever since The Terror completely blew me away. Such an amazing writer! I hope his other books are even half as well-written.
Julie wrote: "Hi, I'm Julie from Barnstable MA on Cape Cod..."Hi Julie! I'm also from Cape Cod :-)
I don't want to make anyone mad, but one reason I love sci fi is that I want to see our world with it's problems (like global warming and poverty) solved and people fulfilling their potential. I see so many poor patients who can't afford medicine through no fault of their own. I do read some dystopian novels but my favorite ones are about exploration and people making progress--and if the books are a little humorous, so much the better! Who needs a lot of dystopian books with the world the way it is now?
I hear you about wanting to read about SOLVING problems instead of wallowing in the dystopic muck. That's what space opera was originally about, people overcoming incredible odds :-)
Julie wrote: "Well, her real name is Polly, but we love calling her Pollywog. The soup is chicken chunks with tons of chopped veggies cooked with wild rice, then you add cream. The kids always want that soup!Ni..."
I can sympathize with you on the club thing. I met a fairly well-known sci-fi writer once and was not impressed. Seemed that this person was one of those who saw our hobby as being one that could produce social change, and felt that any real fan would see things the same way. A friend of mine, who was the president of the club that arranged this visit and was a big fan of the author even agreed with me that comment he/she made to me was an insult. I wear that badge proudly.
I have tried not to identify the person but will do so if there is a demand. There is no real reason not to name them but this person is now deceased.
Julie wrote: "I don't want to make anyone mad, but one reason I love sci fi is that I want to see our world with it's problems (like global warming and poverty) solved and people fulfilling their potential. I see so many poor patients who can't afford medicine through no fault of their own. I do read some dystopian novels but my favorite ones are about exploration and people making progress"I totally agree. The only problem is that if nothing is wrong there is no story.
That's why I write unstable utopia stories in which my futures are wonderful places to live, but there is a serpent in the garden, someone who would bring it all down for his own profit. It's up the heroine to save the day...
Run from the Stars
Hi Julie. My wife was a primary care physician for many years, using her endo training when needed. She's finally switched to all endo, but fortunately not all DM. I've ben largely involved with people living well below the poverty line, so I tend to like some escapism in my reading, too. Having worked (before Obama) in several states without any public health care except limited state Medicaid programs, at least here in Mass we've had, and still have, much better public health programs than elsewhere. IMHO. Which doesn't mean good. Anyway, welcome here. JonPS If you listen to Audible books, and even if you think you don't like vampire books (I hated them), I'd urge you to get one of Molly Harper's Half Moon Hollow books; usually one or two are free. It is the wit and word plays and references to culture that make them outstanding. And wonderful escape. The voicing of the narrator is spot on.
Hello everyone! I figured I might as well get active with my reading, more than just reviewing what I read on the site.Name: Markus
Favorite Books: I absolutely adore the Dune series.
Favorite Genres: Sci-fi, Biographies, Mathematics
Favorite TV shows: Battlestar Galactica, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Archer
Favorite Movies: The original Star Wars triology, Lost in translation
Favorite Food: Right now, vegan maroccan tagine
Day Job: Engineer
Hobbies: Cooking, running, reading, mathematics, languages, people
Other: My favourite game of all times is the Mass Effect series, despite the ending ;)
Markus wrote: "...I figured I might as well get active with my reading, more than just reviewing what I read on the site..."Welcome Markus! We've got lots of sub-genres, and lots of EXPERTS on those sub-genres, so feel free to ask for book recommendations to help you meet those reading goals :-)
Hi all, been on Goodreads a long time but never delved into groups before so tiptoeing into the water now :)Name: Leo McBride
Favorite Books: In space opera? Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon The Deep, the Dune saga, some of the Star Wars spin-offs, Philip K Dick, Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury.
Favorite Genres: I range across a few - from sci fi to fantasy, with plenty of horror along the way. Also love a bunch of other literature, anything well written that tantalises the imagination.
Favorite TV shows: Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica old and new, recently The Expanse, Firefly, Space: Above and Beyond (an oldie now). I like shows that have an arc, an ongoing story rather than a series of one-off episodes.
Favorite Movies: Star Wars, Alien and Aliens, 2001, Khaaaaan, Solaris, Body Snatchers... ohh, all sorts.
Favorite Food: Mexican
Day Job: Journalist
Hobbies: To be up front, I also write, but not plugging! I'm also a football fan, love computer gaming too. Often have too many projects on the go at one time to do much in the way of hobbies... but some would say those projects are hobbies too!
Other: Treat me kindly, new here ;)
Hi Leo. Don't worry we seem to be a pretty nice bunch here (most of the time). Did my usual compare books thing and now i have a burning question. Why does it seem whenever I do this one of the books I have in common with someone is "Pride and Prejudice". It isn't even SF (or fantasy for that matter).
John wrote: "Hi Leo. Don't worry we seem to be a pretty nice bunch here (most of the time). Did my usual compare books thing and now i have a burning question. Why does it seem whenever I do this one of the boo..."Ha! All those English Literature courses it features on! Jolly good writing, though! Just... stay away from the added zombies :)
Leo wrote: "Hi all, been on Goodreads a long time but never delved into groups before so tiptoeing into the water now :)Name: Leo McBride
Favorite Books: In space opera? Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon The Deep, ..."
Leo, welcome to the group! I share your like of Mexican food, Star Wars, the first two Alien movies, Ray Bradbury, Dune, and Babylon 5. Which Star Wars spin-off novels have you enjoyed? There are a lot of fans, but I seldom get to interact with them outside of the dedicated spaces.
I think my Star Wars spin-off love started with the old comics right after the first movie! But novels-wise, I started in with Splinter of the Mind's Eye from Alan Dean Foster. Had fun with the Lando spin-off such as Mindharp of Sharu - oh, and Han Solo at Star's End then in later years liked the Greg Bear spin-off... Rogue Planet? Been a while so name a bit hazy. I've got Chuck Wendig's Aftermath on my Kindle at the moment, only about 20% through though with too much work to get back to it recently! I'm told I should try the Timothy Zahns and the Kevin J Anderson series, but never gotten round to them as yet. How about you, Brandon?
Leo wrote: "Favorite Books: In space opera? Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon The Deep, ..."Welcome Leo! I got to listen to Vernor Vinge speak once. Pretty amazing guy :-) Hope you like it here!
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Space Opera Fans
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I love nature, physics, thinking about the universe and consciousness, and daydreaming about the future.
I have too many favorite books to choose one, so I would say the whole genre is my favorite book!!!
I'm also a recent author; an unemployed recent author hehe. After I graduated school I realized I didn't want to spend my life climbing the corporate ladder. In fact, school is what turned me away from it. In any case, I quit my job and started painting and writing. So here I am!
Say hi! I don't bite... unless you want me to...