Space Opera, by Catherynne Valente
Dec. 1st, 2020 12:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
artabriaThis summer I decided to check the Hugo Awards list at the Wikipedia to see if any of the books intested me. I found Space Opera, one of the finalist for the 2019 award. Quickest way to describe it is "Eurovision IN SPAAACEEE", which it's a sure way to get the attention of any European that every year meets up with their friends to watch the musical contest.
I'm going to be honest, I still can't figure out why this book was a finalist. Maybe (most likely?) this book is not for me. The synopsis from the Wiki:
From an European perspective, I find it hilarious that Decibel Jones (and his group) are British and they have to not rank last in Space Eurovision, because the UK is anything but popular in Eurovision.
My problem with the book is the following:
1) The aliens. Their descriptions are long and full of adjectives, and it feels like the author was randomly opening the dictionary and picking the first word she found.
2) The ending. Do they save the world? Yes. Did they actually do anything to save the world? Erm... They tried to do something and then someone fixed the problem for them. I don't know how to explain it, except by saying that the happy ending feels unearned.
I'm going to be honest, I still can't figure out why this book was a finalist. Maybe (most likely?) this book is not for me. The synopsis from the Wiki:
In order to join galactic civilization — rather than be declared non-sentient, and subsequently eradicated — humanity must participate in the Metagalactic Grand Prix, an interspecies music contest. Winning is not necessary, as long as the participants are not ranked last. However, when the alien emissaries supply a list of suggested musicians, the only entry on the list to not be dead or otherwise physically incapable of performing is Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes, a washed-up, burnt-out glam rock trio with only two surviving members.
My problem with the book is the following:
1) The aliens. Their descriptions are long and full of adjectives, and it feels like the author was randomly opening the dictionary and picking the first word she found.
2) The ending. Do they save the world? Yes. Did they actually do anything to save the world? Erm... They tried to do something and then someone fixed the problem for them. I don't know how to explain it, except by saying that the happy ending feels unearned.
