Nova (1968) by Samuel R. Delany. Shame on me for discovering this stunning classic only recently. A bunch of misfits and weirdos follow a futuristic Captain Ahab on a quest for revenge which is going to lead them through the galaxy and right into an exploding sun. Immensely self-aware characters ponder on the mythical qualities of their pursuit, making this short space opera feel both like a greek epic and a great American novel. Amazing.