# Suggest a space opera for a person who doesn't read science fiction **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [March 15, 2021, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902 "2021-03-15T00:12:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/101 "2021-05-02T00:23:13Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I chose _Hyperion_ for a number of reasons: Update? How’d it go? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/102 "2021-05-02T02:46:22Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > > [@CalMeacham](#): > > > > Larry Niven > > > > > Surely his Tales of Known Space series qualifies as space opera. Including the infinite series of “Man-Kzin War” collections with other authors. > > These are great, but where to start…how about Ringworld? I’d save the Man-Kzin war stuff (mostly by other authors) until later, if they become Niven addicts… 😉 I’ve always assumed that Niven took a couple of disconnected stories and thought "Hey, these could work in the same universe! I’ll write some others, and call them _Tales of Known Space!_ That technique’s time-honored; I first encountered it in _Winesburg, Ohio_. And as a kid I loved Ray Bradbury’s _Dandelion Wine._ Same deal… Anyhow, back to where to start with Tales of Known Space? I started with random short stories and a couple of books, decided I loved his universe and kept at it. Hey, I found a reddit article: [“Good place to start with Niven’s Known Space universe?”](https://www.reddit.com/r/printSF/comments/bru600/good_place_to_start_with_nivens_known_space/) Most replies agree with me, like: > Starting with Ringworld gives you none of the background. The short stories give you a nice survey of Known Space before jumping into the big stories. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/103 "2021-05-07T04:52:51Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Update? How’d it go? Two answers: 1. I don’t think she has cracked the book yet. 2. Our _relationship_, however, is going gangbusters. So… very well? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/104 "2021-05-07T19:27:19Z")
Hah! That sounds just right, and glad to hear it! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/105 "2021-05-10T05:34:36Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Poul Anderson > Lots of stories, including his Dominick Flandry, Nicholas van Rijn, David Falkyn, and Hoka series. He also wrote lots of stand-alone space opera, and fantasy > > Larry Niven > Surely his Tales of Known Space series qualifies as space opera. Including the infinite series of “Man-Kzin War” collections with other authors. I really liked Anderson’s _Brain Wave_ which postulated that mankind evolved in a part of the galaxy (or universe) where electromagnetism worked just a scooch slower. The Earth moves out of the zone, everyone’s IQ quadrupled, and the novel goes from there. Niven’s Known Space is an old favorite of mine, though God, I don’t think I’ve visited it in 20 years. My favorite is _Mote_ - yes, I know it isn’t KS - but Niven is pretty emotionally dry to me and I didn’t really consider him for this. Hell, I would have chosen Sheri Tepper before Niven. Her _Grass_ was incredible. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2021, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/106 "2021-05-11T03:08:45Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > A. Bertram Chandler > Maerchant Marine captain who wrote lots of space-as-a-bigger-ocean novels, including his Rim World series and his John Grimes novels This! Loved these books since I was in fifth grade! > [@CalMeacham](#): > > Poul Anderson > Lots of stories, including his Dominick Flandry, Nicholas van Rijn, David Falkyn, and Hoka series. He also wrote lots of stand-alone space opera, and fantasy My favourites by Anderson are his Time Patrol stories, especially _The Sorrow of Odin the Goth_. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/107 "2021-05-12T12:52:53Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > - I don’t think she has cracked the book yet. > - Our _relationship_ , however, is going gangbusters. That’s wonderful news! By the way, I’ve been married for thirty-three and a third years to a woman who’s rarely read a book I’ve recommended… and I gave up buying her LPs for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/108 "2021-05-14T16:17:24Z")
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a busy evening planned of reading song lyrics quietly to myself.” ---
**Author:** ![Ion1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ion1/32/7896_2.png) [@Ion1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ion1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/109 "2021-05-15T04:29:46Z")
I haven’t cracked the book yet but only because I’m working on two others. It is next on my list, promise! BTW…he’s a great guy so far! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/110 "2021-05-15T04:31:22Z")
> [@Ion1](#): > > he’s a great guy so far ‘So far?’ 😧 ---
**Author:** ![Ion1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ion1/32/7896_2.png) [@Ion1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ion1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/111 "2021-05-15T04:35:32Z")
I have to be cautious… you may turn out to be an alien or something! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/112 "2021-05-15T04:36:00Z")
Alien? You’re the one from Buffalo! ---
**Author:** ![Ion1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ion1/32/7896_2.png) [@Ion1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ion1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/113 "2021-05-15T04:37:08Z")
And??? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/114 "2021-05-15T04:38:08Z")
OJ is still a citywide hero. ¯\_(ツ)\_/¯ ---
**Author:** ![Ion1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ion1/32/7896_2.png) [@Ion1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ion1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/115 "2021-05-15T04:39:28Z")
Nope, we deny him. Scottie Norwood is bad though! Wide right! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/116 "2021-05-15T04:40:02Z")
Lol, we are going to get banned for off-topic flirting. ---
**Author:** ![Ion1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ion1/32/7896_2.png) [@Ion1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ion1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/117 "2021-05-15T04:41:59Z")
😲 I blame you for getting me into this. I don’t know the rules! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/119 "2021-05-15T04:47:09Z")
Guys, the woman I’m dating has followed me here… [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51180730735_45bc33ce08_b.jpg "SmartSelect\_20210514-234531\_Messages") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/68782016@N08/51180730735/) ---
**Author:** ![Ion1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ion1/32/7896_2.png) [@Ion1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ion1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/120 "2021-05-15T04:48:50Z")
We’re dating? 🧐. Thanks for letting me know! ---
**Author:** ![Ion1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ion1/32/7896_2.png) [@Ion1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ion1)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902/121 "2021-05-15T04:50:40Z")
Does this mean you will pick me up from the airport on Sunday? 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-a-space-opera-for-a-person-who-doesnt-read-science-fiction/937902.md?page=7)