Literally epic. As in epic poetry – a form that’s been out of style for a couple of centuries, now used to tell an SF story. Is old the new new?

Originally shared by David Brin

Something is missing. Sure SciFi has taken over popular culture, leaving grownup/literary SF (that explores deep ideas) seeming a bit of a revered grampa. But what’s truly missing is connection to our past. No, not silly-feudal fantasy, that bears no relation to our ancestors’ real challenges and grueling lives. Rather, the oral rhythms and voluptuous wordplay of true, epic poetry!

       Now that tradition – beloved of our forebears – has a pulsing, with-it revival in science fiction!  Frederick Turner’s wonderful Mars colonization canto led the way.  Now he expresses some of our deepest fears… and can-do spirit of hope… in “Apocalypse” wherein he puts into throbbing iambic beat a blending that other SF poets aimed for with the Rhysling Awards and that some of the best hip hop guys* have stabbed-at. Only Fred creates an epic so fluidly readable you’ll call it a compelling novel… that just happens to sing.

Baen Books will start a ten-week electronic serialization of the poem on its very popular subscriber website. Ilium will simultaneously issue the book in inexpensive but handsome hardback and paperback editions.

http://frederickturnerpoet.com/?p=441

* (Hip-hop scifi? Gift of Gab and Blackalicious, especially their excellent pop-rap song “Powers,” which is joyful and stunningly original. Follow Gift of Gab over to The Mighty Underdogs doing “Droppin’ Science Fiction!” Sci-fi rap!  Seriously!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isL-M4_Mftk

http://frederickturnerpoet.com/?p=441