Space Opera
I am a pretty big fan of Science Fiction/Fantasy- most of my pleasure reading is in that genre. While I generally prefer a well crafted story that also manages to obey the laws of physics as we understand them, I am also often entertained by a good space opera. You know, the ones where Our Hero saves the day against impossible odds using his wits, the contents of his pockets, some talcum powder, and the X-14 space modulator that he just happened to discover two pages ago.
I have been partial to the Honor Harrington series of David Weber, and have also been recently reading the Lt. Leary series by David Drake. What has interested me about both of these series especially is that both authors are basically retelling the history of the Napoleonic wars, from the point of view of the British navy. Neither author is subtle about this either- David Weber is to my mind a little more 'readable' but he is also more heavy handed- he has a character called Rob S. Pierre for cripes sake.
Both writers characterize the battle as one of Good (The English) vs. Bad (The French) where the Good is characterized by "free men" fighting against authoritarian tyrrany. yet at the same time, the main characters are "gentlemen" who have no part in the life of the lower classes of the "free" country. I would suggest that this approach to the life of the "common man" in both countries is disingenous at best, especially taking actual history into play. The truth is that it is but by the grace of God that the revolution occurred in France and not England. Furthermore, the "tyrant" Napoleon was wildly popular in France. It also needs to be said that fictionalization of the Napoleonic wars, and the navy's role in each was much better approached in the works of Patrick O'Brien, who kept his "opera" on the high seas.
I think it would be interesting to see a space opera, or actual historical fictionalization, based on the Napoleonic Era from the point of view of the French, or at least some writing that presents the Revolution as something besides an unmitigated evil. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed both series, especially Weber's; I just think it is important to see the shortcomings for what they are.
I have been partial to the Honor Harrington series of David Weber, and have also been recently reading the Lt. Leary series by David Drake. What has interested me about both of these series especially is that both authors are basically retelling the history of the Napoleonic wars, from the point of view of the British navy. Neither author is subtle about this either- David Weber is to my mind a little more 'readable' but he is also more heavy handed- he has a character called Rob S. Pierre for cripes sake.
Both writers characterize the battle as one of Good (The English) vs. Bad (The French) where the Good is characterized by "free men" fighting against authoritarian tyrrany. yet at the same time, the main characters are "gentlemen" who have no part in the life of the lower classes of the "free" country. I would suggest that this approach to the life of the "common man" in both countries is disingenous at best, especially taking actual history into play. The truth is that it is but by the grace of God that the revolution occurred in France and not England. Furthermore, the "tyrant" Napoleon was wildly popular in France. It also needs to be said that fictionalization of the Napoleonic wars, and the navy's role in each was much better approached in the works of Patrick O'Brien, who kept his "opera" on the high seas.
I think it would be interesting to see a space opera, or actual historical fictionalization, based on the Napoleonic Era from the point of view of the French, or at least some writing that presents the Revolution as something besides an unmitigated evil. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed both series, especially Weber's; I just think it is important to see the shortcomings for what they are.
posted by Eric at 6:25 PM
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