Re: Great Headline, Register
Big John,
Correct by the original definition but it has evolved a little over time as authors expanded the 'Pot' to choose from :)
Hence my comment re: Debating what is or is not 'Space Opera'
From the Wikipedia entry for 'Space Opera':
Notable space opera novels include the Foundation series (1942–1999) by Isaac Asimov, the Lensman series (1948–1954) by E. E. Smith and the Ender's Game series (1985–present) by Orson Scott Card. An early notable space opera film was Flash Gordon (1936) created by Alex Raymond. In the late 1970s, the Star Wars franchise (1977–present) created by George Lucas brought a great deal of attention to the subgenre.
I tend to agree with the definition as above but concede that there is lots of room for debate :)
Space Opera is not by definition 'Bad' but many authors have written 'Epics' in the style of and tended towards more 'Flash Gordon (1936)' rather than something like the Foundation Series IMHO.
I Do like a GOOD Space Opera as it can provide an 'awful' (Ba Dum Tish) lot of entertainment ..... I am from a generation that read books and did not speed read everything (although I do read quickly and can finish a typical paperback in 1 day).
Biting the hand that feeds IT
