The Space Opera Renaissance

2006 anthology edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
First edition

The Space Opera Renaissance is an anthology of short science fiction that fits the definition of space opera: adventure stories of grand vision, where the majority of the action happens somewhere other than Earth. Meant to be an overview from the pulp fiction era to modern times, it is chronologically-organized and very thick (944 pages) but lacks representation by noted pioneers of the genre such as E. E. "Doc" Smith, Jack Vance and Alfred Bester, focusing more on the next wave. It was edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer. A hardcover edition was published by Tor Books in July 2006 and a trade paperback edition in July 2007.

Contents

I. Redefined Writers

  • "The Star Stealers" by Edmond Hamilton
  • "The Prince of Space" by Jack Williamson
  • "Enchantress of Venus" by Leigh Brackett
  • "The Swordsman of Varnis" by Clive Jackson

II. Draftees (1960s)

  • "The Game of Rat & Dragon" by Cordwainer Smith
  • "Empire Star" by Samuel R. Delany
  • "Zirn Left Unguarded, the Jenjik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerly Dead" by Robert Sheckley

III. Transitions/Redefiners (late 1970s to late 1980s)

IV. Volunteers: Revisionaries (early 90s)

V. Mixed Signals/ Mixed Categories (to the late 1990s)

VI. Next Wave/21st Century

References

  • Subterranean Press Magazine review
  • TOC listing at sfsignal