space opera
nounEtymology Coined by American writer Wilson Tucker in 1941, modelled on horse opera (“western”) and soap opera, see quotations. Originally describing a specific, hackneyed science fiction writing style.
1
A subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that emphasizes space travel, romantic adventure, and larger-than-life characters often set against vast exotic settings.
Initially derogatory
- SUGGESTION DEPT: In these hectic days of phrase-coining, we offer one. Westerns are called "horse operas", the morning housewife tear-jerkers are called "soap operas". For the hacky, grinding, stinking, outworn space-ship yarn, or world-saving for that matter, we offer "space opera"1941 January, "Bob" Tucker, “Archived copy”, in Le Zombie, number 36, archived from the original on 13 May 2008, page 9:
- A new Netflix TV series of Star Trek has been rumoured. And Christopher Nolan is sending Matthew McConaughey through a wormhole in his new film, Interstellar. Could the space opera be making a comeback?2014 June 12, Nicholas Barber, “Out of this world: are space operas making a comeback?”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
2
A subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that uses serialization.
3
A work or production in this style.
- Related terms
- fantasy, speculative fiction