Space Opera

Locations
Call Number: Science Fiction / Valente, Catherynne, Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Valente, Catherynne M.
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Pittsfield Branch, Traverwood Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Valente, Catherynne	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Valente, Catherynne M.	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Valente, Catherynne M.	4-week checkout	On Shelf

"Mankind will not get to fight for its destiny. They must sing. A century ago, the Sentience Wars tore the galaxy apart and nearly ended the entire concept of intelligent space-faring life. In the aftermath, a curious tradition was invented by the remnants of civilization. Something to cheer up everyone who was left. Something to celebrate having escaped total annihilation by the skin of one's teeth, if indeed one has skin. Or teeth. Something to bring the shattered worlds together in the spirit of peace, unity, understanding, and the most powerful of all social bonds: excluding others. Once every cycle, the great galactic civilizations gather for Galactivision--part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part, a very large, but very subtle part, continuation of the wars of the past. Thus, a fragile peace has held. This year, a bizarre and unsightly species has looked up from its muddy planet-bound cradle and noticed the enormous universe blaring on around it: humanity. Where they expected to one day reach out into space and discover a grand drama of diplomacy, gunships, wormholes, and stoic councils of grave aliens, they have found glitter. And lipstick. And pyrotechnics. And electric guitars. A band of human musicians, dancers, and roadies have been chosen to represent their planet on the greatest stage in the galaxy. And the fate of Earth lies in their ability to rock"-- Provided by publisher.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Fun, Lacks Emotional Heft submitted by Meginator on July 6, 2018, 10:10pm This book promises Eurovision in space, and definitely delivers with its hilarious descriptions of alien races and the poor humans who get roped into representing Earth in a life-or-death edition of the contest. Valente draws heavily on Douglas Adams for inspiration and generally succeeds where it comes to tone, but the book lacks emotional power and ultimately lands a bit flat. It’s fun but fails to capitalize on its vast potential.