ETHAN OF ATHOS
2012-03-05
4/5

All-around solid Vorkosigan novel, though more traditional sci-fi than the usual space-opera. Interesting thoughts on misogyny/sexism (and the economics thereof!), futuristic family structures, and space-station life, with some additional touches on homophobia and genetic engineering. Info-dumpy in a few spots, but most of the thoughtful sci-fi stuff was well-integrated into the plot. Like the whole process of getting rid of the body!: total excuse to tour the life-support systems of a space station, but still advanced the plot.

I appreciated that Ethan didn't stop being gay just because he'd realized there were other options. Maybe that's a weird thing to say, but I was acutely aware of the possibility from the moment he met Elli. Yay!

Normally Bujold's characters are amazingly complex and realistic, but I didn't really "get" Terrance. He acts very teenager-y, so it was jarring that he was also old enough to be driven by the ideas of marriage and reproduction. Those two things make some sense as results of his upbringing, but he didn't get enough screen time to integrate them and become a complete character. And the specific sci-fi issues he represented/advanced were the least well-integrated into the plot.

This is part of my current, internal-chronology, start-to-finish reread of the Vorkosigan books. Heh. I've picked up on a few fun inter-book references, and I'm hoping for more.

CETAGANDA
2009
3/5

Probably my least favorite of the Vorkosigan books. The intrigue bored me, for once, and I still can't remember what happened. Something about genetics.

LABYRINTH ( )

Really interesting collection of stories about what it means to be human. Bujold teases with ideas of biological and social determination in fun and poignant ways. Perhaps the most interesting moment of these three stories is Miles' realization that Taura can speak, and the immediate shift in perception (and tactic) he has because of it.

I also really liked that Bujold gives us the opportunity to visit other planets. She states in the afterword that with Cetaganda she wanted to make the Cetagandans more interesting than just a stock enemy that's trying to take over the galaxy, a goal she accomplishes it skilfully. Bujold particularly excels at creating, and showing, realistically complex political systems and intertwined personal relationships and motives without getting bogged down in dry exposition.

I have to admit, I kept waiting for Miles to appear in Ethan of Athos, which probably says more about me as a reader than anything else. However, I think it was good to have kept the story focused on Ethan and Elli — the latter of which I had no idea would be making a return, after having last "seen" her several novels ago without a face. And of course, I can only wonder at this point what other minor characters may reappear to seize the stage...

( )

Bujold's writing is superb but this trilogy of stories within the novel was difficult to enjoy. Clearly one has to read from the beginning of the Vorkosigan saga, starting (if I understood correctly) with Falling Free or maybe Shards of Honor? I do find alien worlds in science fiction a challenge to mentally embrace and just "go with the flow". I was especially hung up on getting through Ethan of Athos. The novel lay untouched for several weeks while I coped with that section and mostly skimmed to try for a sense of where the plot was going.

Aside from that, I liked many of the scenarios developed in the book: there were clever characterisations of the strange beings on different worlds and unique interpretations of biotechnological advances. I enjoyed the Miles character and even Ivan was engaging in his way. But I'm not so keen on being wrapped up in meanness, unremitting insidious plots which in the end, didn't make much sense to me, didn't have a feeling of resolution and lead to only more stories.

I know there are Bujold stories I have enjoyed (Curse of Chalion for instance) and her world-building is excellent, but I suspect further Vorkosigan series are not book titles in my future. ( )

I'm working my way through the Vorkosigan series. All of them have been great reads. Cetaganda, in my opinion, is a little different, with Miles trying to break through the layers of diplomacy into his usual style of direct and effective action. At times he seems whiny as well. ( )

Ages ago, I read Ethan of Athos without having read anything else from the Vorkosigan Saga. (And loaned it to someone who never returned it -- and now I have it as part of this omnibus, so problem solved!) I enjoyed it the first time, but I have to say it is significantly better now that I already know the secondary characters and the larger political world. ( )