How to start reading Bujold

[altariel]

lizblackdog and I had a short exchange about Lois McMaster Bujold in the comments on another post, and I said I'd come up with a suggested reading order for her books. Then it turned out fictualities hadn't read any, so Something Had To Be Done, and I've decided to do it as a separate entry for future reference.

I've hooked a couple of people this way, so it seems to work, but if anyone thinks there's another good way of reading her books, just say.

LMB writes fantasy and science-fiction. I don't know her earliest fantasy books, so I can't comment on those. This post is mainly about the Vorkosigan SF series. Bujold also has a new series of fantasy books, the Chalion series.


The Chalion Series

There are only three of these so far, so that's not too hard!:

• The Curse of Chalion


• Paladin of Souls


• The Hallowed Hunt

I've not had a chance to read The Hallowed Hunt yet since her stupid UK publisher isn't publishing it, chiz chiz, and I can't schlepp the hardback in from the US. The Curse of Chalion has one of the most engaging heroes I've come across - Lupe de Cazaril. He is angsty, dark-haired and cerebral. (I have this listed as an interest. You may supply your own examples.) Paladin of Souls has a female lead who is 'on the shelf' so far as her society is concerned. Very sympathetic character. The strength of the books in terms of world-building lies in the very interesting theology that Bujold has invented (with in-built heresy to supply political context).


The Vorkosigan Series

Right, the Vorkosigan books. Boy, are you in for a treat. There are (unless I've missed something) twelve novels, one short story, and three novellas. They (mostly) follow the life and times of one Miles Vorkosigan, hyper-active aristocrat and part-time mercenary. Miles - the son of a significant political figure on his home planet Barrayar - was born with physical disabilities in a militaristic society which, for various historical reasons which I won't spoil, is deeply prejudiced towards, well, just about everyone really. This personal history (the books start before Miles's birth and carry on up to his early thirties) takes place against the backdrop of the socio-political transformation of Barrayar as it becomes increasingly involved in galactic affairs.

The books are mostly jolly military space opera with characterization to die for and a satisfying amount of angst. They also genre-bend, gleefully and seamlessly stitching SF and romance. While superficially there is plenty of space hardware, there is a lot of gender politics going on, as well as exploration of the social effects of technology which directly impacts upon women's lives (not least the 'uterine replicator'). They are my absolute, sure-fire, happiness-making read, and I love 'em to bits.

The books were not written entirely chronologically, although you can read them that way. Personally, I'd suggest coming into Miles's (and Barrayar's) story part-way through, and reading a five-book arc that starts with:

First Lot

• Brothers in Arms: This is not the best of the series, but it is the beginning of the arc. It's a quick read, and fun. (Oh, and it has a B7 avatar in it - Duv Galeni, Kerr Avon or what?)


• Mirror Dance: Complex, dark themes, and the place where the writing hits a new level of maturity.


• Memory: "Miles hits thirty; thirty hits back." A book about life's sudden changes.


• Komarr: Thoughtful and mature novel about people falling in love thoughtfully and maturely. Under a big space dome! A bit like Persuasion - in space!


• A Civil Campaign: Big joyous happy-making book of joy. Bujold subtitled it: "A Comedy of Biology and Manners". If you have ever loved Jane Austen, Dorothy L. Sayers, Georgette Heyer, but have also wanted your own spaceship, then this is the book you have been waiting to read.

After all this, you should, theoretically, be in the place where you're loving these characters and want more stories about them NOW. (If you're not, er, well, sorry to have wasted your time, I think Iain M. Banks will probably have a new one out.) So now you can go back and read the earlier books.

Second Lot

Shards of Honor and Barrayar: The earliest (chronologically) in the series. SoH is Bujold's first novel; Barrayar follows on directly (literally, straight on), but wasn't written until some time later. The full story of how Miles's parents met, whilst on opposite sides of a war. After that, the books pick up with Miles in his late teens. Character-driven space opera. You may as well read them chronologically: The Warrior's Apprentice, The Vor Game, Cetaganda (the most SF-ish, and my least favourite).

Third Lot

If you've not had enough by now, you can fill up the corners with the other books set in the universe, at various points in the chronology. Falling Free is an early novel set a few centuries before the Vorkosigan saga. The novellas in Borders of Infinity, all of which are about Miles, are set chronologically after Brothers in Arms. Ethan of Athos is a very funny book about an innocent abroad in the big bad galaxy, who has come from a puritan planet where there are no women. Diplomatic Immunity, the most recent novel, is set after A Civil Campaign and is stylistically like one of the earlier space opera adventures. Winterfair Gifts is a short story which I think acts as an epilogue to the series (and has an incredibly touching romance).


Right, there you are. Go forth, read. Hope you enjoy them.

Comments

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I adore Bujold. Three words: Aral Vorkosigan. Cazaril. 'Nuff said.

Your reading plan makes good sense. I challenge anyone to read Mirror Dance and Memory and not be hooked.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Only two words needed for me! Cazaril. Gregor.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

PS. Her earlier fantasy is interesting, but not anywhere competitive with the Chalion series.

[matildabj.livejournal.com]

Perhaps, then I should go back and start with your 'First Lot'. Once I get moved, I'm going to need some reading material, so will a) find my local library and b) force them to supply me with this stuff. Although with it being in St Helens, I'm doubtful they'll be able to...

[julesjones]

Excellent bit of Bujold pimping. :-)

I am currently in the UK, but there is a distinct possibility that I will be back to the US and then back to the UK in a relatively short time period. I may have space in my suitcase for a hardback if necessary...

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

*obediently makes notes*

Very well, I shall see about acquiring either The Curse of Chalion or Brothers In Arms on Monday. Thank you.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I really hope you enjoy them. Let me know!

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I'm quite certain I will. You know good writing when you see it and your tastes are pretty similar to mine. I forget now who else recommended her, but it was also someone whose opinion I respect - that means the chances of spending money on something I end up not liking are very low indeed.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I can't remember now why I sent you away with 'Shards of Honor', it must have something to do with the conversation we were having.

Historically, St Helens bookshops have not supplied me well with books (I say 'bookshops' - there was one, two if you count WHSmiths), although the libraries used to be decent enough. But that was more than a decade ago. If needs be, I'll post them to you.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I thought they'd be things I'd get round to eventually, since I'm well-disposed towards her stuff anyway.

[fictualities.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, thank you!!! *runs off to the bookstore, with guidance this time*

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I am really excited about you discovering these. I can't wait to find out what you think of them - I hope it's good things! *chews nails nervously*

[aervir.livejournal.com]

A bit like Persuasion - in space! [...]

If you have ever loved Jane Austen, Dorothy L. Sayers, Georgette Heyer, but have also wanted your own spaceship, then this is the book you have been waiting to read.

This does sound like a must-read!

*wanders off to check out these books on Amazon*

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Eek, hope you like them! I wonder if you can find very cheap s/hand copies of most of them on Amazon, actually, they're all in paperback.

[fictualities.livejournal.com]

I can't wait! *dances* LJ has completely expanded my horizons -- this has been a fantastic summer for me as far as discovering books is concerned. On the urging of other LJ friends I also read the Wraeththu series, which as a certified drooling slash maniac *coughs* I probably should have done long ago.

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

I love you for pimping Bujold's work. :-)

However, as to your reading list, I disagree a bit. The Warrior's Apprentice is a fantastic introduction to Miles...and frankly, I might not have gotten through Mirror Dance if I'd only read Brothers in Arms beforehand. That was the most daunting if perhaps the best of the series, for me.

*shrug*

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

Oh, I wholeheartedly agree. Technically, Brothers in Arms is the beginning of the arc, but there are some key psychological points in it where I don't think a newcomer to the series is going to get the full impact if this is the first Vorkosigan novel they've read.

I'd say start with Shards of Honor and Barrayar, then move on to The Warrior's Apprentice and The Vor Game. (Cetaganda is neither here nor there, though I do like Ivan Vorpatril.) After that, a reader is ready for Brothers in Arms.

And really, anyone who wouldn't get hooked on Cordelia in Shards of Honor doesn't deserve to find out what terrific books await them.

*whispers*

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

Read Shards of Honor first! Don't start with Brothers in Arms!

[kerravonsen]

I agree with you! I think one should start off with "The Warrior's Apprentice" first. It *is* good enough to get one hooked, you get to see where Miles is coming from, the later books build on what's gone before, it's a *natural* introduction, since it is the first Miles book.

And even if one is a stickler for reading things chronologically, I think one can successfully leave "Shards of Honor" for later, because, since most of the books are about Miles, it's best to jump in with the first Miles book.

And even though "Shards of Honor" was the first to be published, it wasn't by much: "The Warrior's Apprentice" came out in the same year (I just checked).

Re: *whispers*

[altariel.livejournal.com]

No need to whisper, honest! More than happy to hear other reading perspectives so people can pick the route through that will make them fall for all the books!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

More suggestions for the best place to start down below, btw.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I just hunted online to find out what Wraeththu was, and found fanfic linked to off the author's site. Wow!

Plenty more suggestions down below about the best way into the Bujold books, btw.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I think you can find them in nifty duology editions in the US: Cordelia's Honor containing Shards of Honor and Barrayar; Miles Errant containing Warrior's Apprentice and The Vor Game.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I think I read somewhere that she had three or four novels ready to roll by the time she was picked up by a publisher: SoH, Warrior's Apprentice, Falling Free and Ethan of Athos.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I happily Bujold's work at the drop of a hat :-)

Interesting, thank you. Brothers in Arms was my first, then I think I went back to The Warrior's Apprentice and possibly The Vor Game and liked them enough to carry on to Mirror Dance, but wasn't wowed. Mirror Dance blew me away, and then they just kept on getting better and better...

[ithilwen.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Since I, too, have never read Bujold's works and had no idea in what order to read them, this list will come in handy.

[kerravonsen]

Ah, interesting, because "The Warrior's Apprentice" was actually my first, and that was enough to make me go back the next day and get more.

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

I am in love with Cordelia. But Aral is such a great father to have.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

'The Vor Game' became a huge favourite after my Gregor obsession kicked in.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

"Barrayarans!" There's a great line from Miles, I think, at the end of The Vor Game about how a lot of their society is like an optical illusion to her. Oh, and Alys has a great one somewhere about sending Cordelia off to talk to Laisa's parents because when she's talking to you she can make the most outrageous things seem perfectly reasonable. I can carry on.

And yes, Aral would be a great father. A much better one for Gregor too than his actual one...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I think you'll enjoy them a great deal. Others up thread are suggesting other routes in that are more chronological; my reading route gets you straight to the best arc of books.

[dolamrothdame.livejournal.com]

"Let's see what happens."

[altariel.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Ah yes. Although, Gregor, I can't wait forever...

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Well, I went to my local Smiths and Waterstone's today and they had nothing of hers whatever, so I bought Diana Wynne Jones' The Merlin Conspiracy instead because I have an instant gratification complex.

I have found a bunch of them cheap on Amazon though. But I need to wait till my sister orders something so we can get them all together and get free postage...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I liked The Merlin Conspiracy, good instant gratification choice. A shame your local shops were no use :-( Our Borders has a few but not alll Forbidden Planet is slightly better.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Little My love!

Or is that her big sister? Too long since I read those... that's another bunch of books I have to get round to reacquiring, damn it.

*goes to see if there's a Tove Jansson LJ community out there*

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It is indeed Little My! (Not the Mymble's daughter, who is her sister.) I also have the Groke for when I'm grumpy...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

...and Hattifatteners for when I'm feeling inscrutable.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

The Groke was my favourite character. Much misunderstood and abused, poor dear creature. Remember Moomintroll dancing with her on the beach in Moominpappa At Sea?

I found a community but there wasn't much discussion going on, just people posting pictures. I did much better with the Antonia Forest one you indirectly inspired me to join - trennels

[altariel.livejournal.com]

:-) I just reread Moominpappa at Sea. The book that made me want to live in a lighthouse.

I should probably join trennels, the discussions look good and meaty. Thanks!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

That is an extremely kind offer, and if the chance comes up, I'll very gratefully take you up on it. Thank you! :-)

And glad you liked the pimping. The world should read Bujold!

[elanna9.livejournal.com]

Hey, thank you! This is awesome. Between you & Amazon.com, I've now ordered several of these books. (Bizarrely, Amazon did not seem to stock Mirror Dance, but I ordered it from someone else.)

I LOVED The Curse of Chalion -- I found the whole theology behind it fascinating, and in fact it's fairly profoundly influenced the way I think about religion and spirituality. I read Paladin of Souls as well, which I also liked (though probably not as well). I haven't read the third book again, but I expect I will at some point; I'd heard it isn't as good as the other two, and understructure aside, I find the shifts in POV (between the books) somewhat disconcerting.

That's one thing that sounds cool about the Vorkosigan series. I mean, I don't have to have the same person narrate an entire series, but once I've grown attached to someone, I enjoy sticking with them.

Anyway, thanks a lot for the link & the pointers. I look forward to reading these. :)

[elanna9.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I do have to say, that without this kind of introduction, I would have had NO IDEA where to start. Especially given the number of books and the fact that they weren't written chronologically. So this really helps.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! Some of the people up-thread suggest that reading the books chronologically is a much better way in - I think it really is a matter of taste, and depends whether you're anxious to get to the really extremely good books as soon as possible, or are happy to start with the really good books and work through. Enjoy!

[altariel.livejournal.com]

I also adored The Curse of Chalion, and found it much harder to enjoy Paladin of Souls, because of the absence of Cazaril. I've had Paladin of Souls set to one side for a while now, and intend to read it on its own merits.

In terms of POV: the first two Vorkosigan books (Shards of Honor, Barrayar) are from Cordelia's perspective (and set much earlier in the chronology). The rest are mainly from Miles's POV, with exceptions such as the books that don't involve Miles at all (e.g. Ethan of Athos and Falling Free), and some of the later books involve more POVs in the story. But the books are essentially Miles's story... he just has a large collection of interesting family, friends, enemies...