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edenfallingDecember 5: I spot a Vorkosigan Saga tag over on the right. Exposition? Is it a series you've read before? (for ![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
Grumpy_Old_Snake) [Tumblr crosspost]
I am now trying to remember how and when I first discovered the Vorkosigan series. I think it may have been via the purchase of a used paperback copy of A Civil Campaign? Which is a decidedly weird entry point, but I literally cannot pick up that book and read an excerpt without getting sucked into rereading the whole thing and laughing so hard tears run from my eyes, so you know, there are worse introductions. *grin* Then I used the little timeline cheat sheet in the back to read the rest in chronological (rather than publication) order.
That was probably sometime after 2003, but definitely before 2006; I can't be more specific.
First and foremost, the books are entertaining. I mean that as a high compliment! If a book of fiction does not provide enjoyment to the reader, it's failing at its most basic task, but catching and holding attention is harder than one might think. Bujold makes it look effortless. I think the most important ingredients are characters with strong and distinct personalities and goals who have enough agency to make things happen without being so overpowered that they encounter no serious difficulties and obstacles on their paths. Bujold is also good about maintaining emotional reality, so when characters ought to be shaken or excited or angry about events, they get shaken or exited or angry or whatever. And of course these books are like catnip if you have a competence kink: lots of intelligent, capable people facing huge problems and solving them.
Bujold doesn't seem hugely interested in the 'hard' science of her settings, though she's clearly put some thought into the physics of space colonies and wormhole jumps and weapons and whatnot. She's more interested in biology and sociology, which I think is neat. That's also an unusual perspective for military sci-fi, but I think the books are stronger for the combination -- the wars and politics lend bite and edge to the bio-ethics, and the sociological conundrums humanize the realpolitik and guns.
I'm not really in Vorkosigan fandom, insofar as it exists, though I've read some Vorkosigan fic over the years. I'm happy with canon as it is, and even if I wanted to add stuff or fill in gaps, the twisty, kinetic nature of Bujold's plots and the wit of her dialogue are not things I am remotely qualified to imitate.
(Ekaterin and Gregor are my favorites, though Miles runs a very close second.)
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December Talking Meme: All Days
I am now trying to remember how and when I first discovered the Vorkosigan series. I think it may have been via the purchase of a used paperback copy of A Civil Campaign? Which is a decidedly weird entry point, but I literally cannot pick up that book and read an excerpt without getting sucked into rereading the whole thing and laughing so hard tears run from my eyes, so you know, there are worse introductions. *grin* Then I used the little timeline cheat sheet in the back to read the rest in chronological (rather than publication) order.
That was probably sometime after 2003, but definitely before 2006; I can't be more specific.
First and foremost, the books are entertaining. I mean that as a high compliment! If a book of fiction does not provide enjoyment to the reader, it's failing at its most basic task, but catching and holding attention is harder than one might think. Bujold makes it look effortless. I think the most important ingredients are characters with strong and distinct personalities and goals who have enough agency to make things happen without being so overpowered that they encounter no serious difficulties and obstacles on their paths. Bujold is also good about maintaining emotional reality, so when characters ought to be shaken or excited or angry about events, they get shaken or exited or angry or whatever. And of course these books are like catnip if you have a competence kink: lots of intelligent, capable people facing huge problems and solving them.
Bujold doesn't seem hugely interested in the 'hard' science of her settings, though she's clearly put some thought into the physics of space colonies and wormhole jumps and weapons and whatnot. She's more interested in biology and sociology, which I think is neat. That's also an unusual perspective for military sci-fi, but I think the books are stronger for the combination -- the wars and politics lend bite and edge to the bio-ethics, and the sociological conundrums humanize the realpolitik and guns.
I'm not really in Vorkosigan fandom, insofar as it exists, though I've read some Vorkosigan fic over the years. I'm happy with canon as it is, and even if I wanted to add stuff or fill in gaps, the twisty, kinetic nature of Bujold's plots and the wit of her dialogue are not things I am remotely qualified to imitate.
(Ekaterin and Gregor are my favorites, though Miles runs a very close second.)
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December Talking Meme: All Days
