What is a space opera?

[Stargazer1976]

I am fairly new to science fiction and would like to find out the meaning of some things I hear regularly. Such as WHAT is a space opera?

Thanks

[knivesout]

A space opera is basically an action adventure in space, usually involving interstellar travel, space battles and so on. EE 'Doc' Smith's 'Skylark' books are among the earliest space operas. Gordon Dickson's Dorsai series, Larry Niven's Known Space books and the Man-Kzin Wars anthologies are also space operas. Asimov's Foundation books Iain Banks Culture series and Brin's Uplift series broadened the scope for the sub-genre. Current writers like Peter Hamilton, Ken MacLeod and others continue to tell stories that can be broadly classified as space operas for the emphasis on interstellar action and conflict.


While 'space opera' began as a derisive tag for simplistic action sagas that happened to be set in space, the sub genre has since evolved into a complex, varied thing, perhaps most analogous to the epic fantasy strain in fantasy fiction.

[D6Veteran]

Here's a pretty good definition that reinforces what knivesout is saying:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_opera

[Quest]

I think originally the term has a derogatory meaning. Now it's less of a slam for a production. It's more in the classic Star Trek vein. Actually I rarely hear the term "space opera" anymore.

[Robert M. Blevins]

I believe I can answer this one.

A lot of science fiction is based on what writers call 'contrived universes.' When you watch a film or tv show with Hollywood-type aliens in makeup jetting across the galaxy at light-speed, this is an example of a 'contrived universe.' If the book or show is nothing more than soap opera with aliens interacting with humans, this is an example of space opera, usually set in a contrived universe.

[Quest]

I think that's a good definition of Space Opera. Unfortunately, a lot of movies and TV shows end up in this category, including Buck Rogers and Battlestar Galactica.

Some Space Operas can be a little more thoughtful than others, but a lot of more recent SF shows fall into this category.

[KennyLucius]

I know space opera is often a slam, but I love it. It isn't like a "soap opera"--it's like an opera with the guys in codpieces and horned hats singing about matters of huge and awesome import. The main features are space battles, matters of galactic scale, and human drama. Great stuff.

This is a space opera: Aristoi by Walter Jon Williams.

It's my favorite, and I hope it crosses your path some day.