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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Originally shared by David Brin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now that tradition – beloved of our forebears – has a pulsing, with-it revival in science fiction!\u00a0 Frederick Turner’s wonderful Mars colonization canto led the way.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n http:\/\/frederickturnerpoet.com\/?p=441<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n * (Hip-hop scifi? Gift of Gab and Blackalicious, especially their excellent pop-rap song \u201cPowers,\u201d which is joyful and stunningly original. Follow Gift of Gab over to The Mighty Underdogs doing \u201cDroppin\u2019 Science Fiction!\u201d Sci-fi rap!\u00a0 Seriously!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=isL-M4_Mftk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n