The SF genre includes a subgenre of right-wing militaristic space opera that attracts supremacists and neoliberal ideologues. This arm of SF has not changed since the 1950s, and with few exceptions, does not represent where the majority of the genre is going. You can generally spot it immediately by the 'future' being all white (essentially America as a space empire, though often with royals instead of presidents). This audience often resents that they no longer represent the mainstream of SF&F, and that they can't win awards for re-writing the exact same pulp SF for 75 years...
The only military SF I've read in the last many years is Peter Hamilton. I think he might be an exception because he has a lot of people of color as many characters, and in his most recent series (Salvation) there is an entire society of nonbinary genders.
But man is he bad at writing sex scenes. So much "impaling".
"But there is a portion of the science fiction fan base that has been infiltrated by the far right."
Like Star Wars fan groups, for example. The degree of hatred for Daisy Ridley doing ANYTHING, for Kelly Marie-Tran for even existing, for John Boyega to dare to open his mouth, for Glenn Close's character doing what she did in "TLJ," it was eye-opening. And also a handy filter to know exactly which "friends" I no longer needed to associate with, since this went far beyond "an opposing opinion."
I read the Inheritance Trilogy first, then ordered the Broken Earth trilogy through my local book store. I waited to begin reading it until I had a pretty clear schedule, based on the awards and the first trilogy of hers that I read.
I couldn't put it down. I stayed up very late on the first one, forced myself to take a half day off before starting the second, which I broke into two days because of unforeseen real life obligations. When I started the third, I finished it the day I started. So, 4 days to read all 3, and the story is still in my head.
I can also recommend Canadian author Tanya Huff whose hard space opera represents a very different stream of militaristic SF. For one thing, her heroine is a woman sergeant not the senior commander, the battle scenes are frequently based on actual historical battles--usually ones that went very badly because of very stupid, out of touch commanders--and is generally anti-war, anti-the mindset of the other authors in that genre. A refreshing change.
The SF genre includes a subgenre of right-wing militaristic space opera that attracts supremacists and neoliberal ideologues. This arm of SF has not changed since the 1950s, and with few exceptions, does not represent where the majority of the genre is going. You can generally spot it immediately by the 'future' being all white (essentially America as a space empire, though often with royals instead of presidents). This audience often resents that they no longer represent the mainstream of SF&F, and that they can't win awards for re-writing the exact same pulp SF for 75 years...
The only military SF I've read in the last many years is Peter Hamilton. I think he might be an exception because he has a lot of people of color as many characters, and in his most recent series (Salvation) there is an entire society of nonbinary genders.
But man is he bad at writing sex scenes. So much "impaling".
Worth noting that Beale was kicked tf out of the SFWA--specifically for being such a garbage human being.
Very cool! I'm a big SFF fan too, so I'm definitely going to look at ALL her books! Thanks!
"But there is a portion of the science fiction fan base that has been infiltrated by the far right."
Like Star Wars fan groups, for example. The degree of hatred for Daisy Ridley doing ANYTHING, for Kelly Marie-Tran for even existing, for John Boyega to dare to open his mouth, for Glenn Close's character doing what she did in "TLJ," it was eye-opening. And also a handy filter to know exactly which "friends" I no longer needed to associate with, since this went far beyond "an opposing opinion."
Did you mean Laura Dern's character in TLJ?
Yes, my mistake. I'm a terrible Star Wars fan. :)
Aaaaand here come some To Read additions on my Goodreads page :D
I read the Inheritance Trilogy first, then ordered the Broken Earth trilogy through my local book store. I waited to begin reading it until I had a pretty clear schedule, based on the awards and the first trilogy of hers that I read.
I couldn't put it down. I stayed up very late on the first one, forced myself to take a half day off before starting the second, which I broke into two days because of unforeseen real life obligations. When I started the third, I finished it the day I started. So, 4 days to read all 3, and the story is still in my head.
I can also recommend Canadian author Tanya Huff whose hard space opera represents a very different stream of militaristic SF. For one thing, her heroine is a woman sergeant not the senior commander, the battle scenes are frequently based on actual historical battles--usually ones that went very badly because of very stupid, out of touch commanders--and is generally anti-war, anti-the mindset of the other authors in that genre. A refreshing change.
I bought the trilogy as ebooks... it's still in my to-be-read pile. I will try to get further up in the list.
Also. "I think fucking not" can be read two ways. Either "they can't fucking think", or "I will not fucking stand for this". Both are good.
Thanks for this! Putting her books on hold at my local library now.
Because women should stick to romance, blah, blah, blah...