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The Star Kings

The Star Kings

Author: Edmond Hamilton

Let’s finish this list by going back to the classic space opera. The form may have been invented by E.E. “Doc” Smith, but it was given its most lasting shape by Edmond Hamilton, pulp writer supreme. His space operas typically involved a gallant Earthman who would set out with a few companions (not necessarily human) to combat evil aliens whose plans presented a threat to the entire galaxy. They were universe-spanning tales of derring-do, full of heroic escapades, mind-boggling coincidences, and the good guys winning in the end. It says something for the formula that he could repeat it in his successful Captain Future stories for young adults without having to make much of a change. Possibly the most successful of these space operas was The Star Kings which stole its plot from The Prisoner of Zenda, proof enough of the colourful romantic nature of these stories. Every cliché you expect in a space opera, interstellar empires and evil aliens and so on, can all be traced back to Hamilton.Why it’s on the list It’s hokum, but it’s enjoyable hokum. As with Smith we make no great claims for the quality of the book, but Hamilton was a major influence on the history of space opera, and for that at least he deserves his place on this list.

Books in The Star Kings Series (1)

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