Space Opera Fans discussion

The June 2018 READER pick is Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente. Please use this thread to post questions, comments, and reviews, at any time.

Official description:
IN SPACE EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU 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-something to cheer up everyone who was left and bring the shattered worlds together in the spirit of peace, unity, and understanding.

Once every cycle, the civilizations gather for the Metagalactic Grand Prix - part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation of the wars of the past. Instead of competing in orbital combat, the powerful species that survived face off in a competition of song, dance, or whatever can be physically performed in an intergalactic talent show. The stakes are high for this new game, and everyone is forced to compete.

This year, though, humankind has discovered the enormous universe. And while they expected to discover a grand drama of diplomacy, gunships, wormholes, and stoic councils of aliens, they have instead found glitter, lipstick and electric guitars. Mankind will not get to fight for its destiny - they must sing.

A one-hit-wonder band of human musicians, dancers and roadies from London - Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes - have been chosen to represent Earth on the greatest stage in the galaxy. And the fate of their species lies in their ability to rock.

Did anyone read it?

I'm very interested in hearing people's thoughts on this book as I stumbled across it a couple of weeks ago and I'm debating on reading it.

I wasn’t planning on commenting but in hopes of getting the ball rolling here: I read the free preview and did not find it worth purchasing for ME these days. Back twenty or thirty years ago when I loved The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy I would likely have adored it. My sense of humor is much different these days. Some people will love this book I’m sure, but it’s not for me.

Finished reading this just last night. It's definitely not my favorite comedy, not my favorite sci-fi book, and not my favorite in general. I can understand some people liking it, tho, and there's a very nice idea in its core - along with very good worldbuilding.

Sadly for me the whole thing just faltered under the weight of far too much purple prose and digression for my taste. Not really my kind of book, which is sad considering Pratchett and Adams are among my favorite authors.

I could recognize the Douglas Adams and Christopher Moore influences in the first chapter, and that is not a good thing in my case. I like the concept, but it just was not fun to read.