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Ladataan... Barrayar (1991)Tekijä: Lois McMaster Bujold
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Although 7th book published about our intrepid Miles Vorkosigan this book describes his very beginnings. We follow Aral Vorkosigan and his wife [literally from another world :)] Cordelia Naismith as they try to build their family in Vorkosigan estate on Barrayar, central world of Vors, after deadly events on Escobar [from previous "prequel" book]. While Vors are presented like SF version of Prussians and Imperial Russia from early 20th century - all with counts, their men-at-arms, Emperor and Imperial security forces and most of population primarily interested in the military service - Cordelia represents external influence of greater world outside of Barrayar. Herself a Betan she heralds the time of change on Barrayar, importing of science, technology and wider world-views that are so required to jump-start the Barrayar economy and revitalize its society. But besides being shown as more open-minded than Barrayarans when it comes to properly judging people and making sure nobody is mistreated just because of his or hers heritage and roots, Cordelia proves that she is not as flexible as she would like others to be and at the end can be quite ruthless and extremely Vor-like (using Bothari as an extension of her will to execute action that would bring him to the very edge). And this is where Vorkosigan saga truly shines - all characters are truly human, from Bothari trying to live with his damaged psyche to Aral and Cordelia, two people so strongly in love and ready to learn from and strengthen each other. We follow the events from the Cordelia's perspective as she tries to navigate the puzzling world of Vors after her husband becomes Regent tasked with making sure future Emperor Gregor reaches adulthood and becomes capable of ruling the Empire, ends up in turmoil of civil war and finally fights to the last breath to save her son from clutches of Barrayar conservatives. Story has everything required for a great adventure story - great characters, witty dialogue, political backstabbing, action, sword fight, fire fights and coup d'etat aimed at our protagonists. The very act of betrayal that is cause of the Miles' condition is truly heartbreaking. As much as the effort to heal him and make sure his bones get stronger and very turmoil this brings to Vorkosigan family. This all brings us to the bitter-sweet end that proves old saying that family always comes first and with family at his back person can achieve whatever is desired. Excellent book. Highly recommended. “I was a casualty in Vordarian’s Pretendership before I was born!” - Miles Vorkosigan, Vor Game. Barrayar, the second book of the Vorkosigan Saga (although the seventh book written in the series), begins almost immediately following the events of Shards of Honor. With Barrayar, Lois McMaster Bujold became the first writer since Orson Scott Card to win the Best Novel Hugo two years running. Though a handful of novels in the Vorkosigan saga separate them in their publication order, Barrayar (as noted) is the direct sequel to Shards of Honor and depicts the birth of Miles against a backdrop of insurrection and civil war. What's it all about? At the heart of this family drama, this book chronicles the birth of Miles Vorkosigan, the character who this saga will eventually revolve around. So in essence, this is a fast-pace science fiction space opera about motherhood. At the start of the novel, Miles' mother Cordelia Vorkosigan (née Naismith) has given up almost everything of her former life on Beta Colony to be with Aral Vorkosigan. She finds herself on Barrayar, Aral's home planet. She's finding life on Barrayar somewhat hard to adjust to, however; its class and gender stratification, its emphasis on familial lineage and military might, and its lack of technological progress, all make the entire planet seem somewhat backwards to Cordelia's liberal way of thinking (whom I strongly identify with). To make matters worse, Aral, her husband, has been unwillingly thrust into a position of vast political power: regent to the four-year-old emperor. Learning to navigate the currents of Barrayaran politics is challenging enough, but the planet is full of people who will not hesitate to use Cordelia -- and her unborn son, Miles -- as pawns in their plays for power. Things heat up when a couple of attempts on Vorkosigan's life are made, one of which, a poison gas attack, comes dangerously close to succeeding. Cordelia, heavily pregnant with Vorkosigan's first heir, is caught in the attack, and the antitoxin used to save her life effectively dooms her unborn son. But she refuses to abort the child, having it instead transferred to a Betan-designed "uterine replicator" for gestation. This causes added friction between herself and her father-in-law, for in Barrayar's culture, cripples — which is the best the baby could hope to be even if it survives — are held in shame and disdain. What's worse, Vordarian, a member of the Vor class, looks like he might have sufficient support to make an overt bid for the throne through a coup. In the end, Vordarian is killed (in the most amazing way), the coup is trampled, and our hero Miles is born, fragile and deformed. Five years later, although he has very brittle bones, he is depicted as very active, rambunctious and intelligent. The world building is excellent. Imagine a mix of feudal Russia meets elements of Coruscant, Naboo, & Canto Bight from the Star Wars universe and you have Barrayar. But, you read Lois McMaster Bujold for the well developed characters. Cordelia reminds an amazing character. She is smart, practical, has a wicked sense of humor, and is made of stronger stuff than most heroines. Plus she also has flaws. When you read a Bujold novel, you feel like you're reading about real people and that's always enjoyable. Highly enjoyable sci-fi space opera from the point of view of a fiercely intelligent woman, this novel is highly recommended. Bujold is master of writing intriguing space opera and well-developed characters. I can't wait to read The Vor Game next! I greatly enjoyed this. Cordelia is awesome. It's great to read a kickass female main character that wins the day through personality, intelligence and courage, instead of being an all-perfect Wonder Woman type (looking at you, Honor Harrington). Now to see what young Miles Vorkosigan grows up to achieve. After Aral Vorkosigan is named regent for the child emperor of Barrayar, his wife knows they're due for a period of turbulent planetary politics. But Cordelia doesn't anticipate the effects of an assassination attempt on her unborn son -- but then, her enemies don't anticipate Cordelia's nerve and desperation. Barrayar, the sequel to the quite-good Shards of Honor, is terrific, and Bujold successfully balances the light, snappy comedy with all the angst and death of a military culture struggling against itself. I especially liked Bujold's handling of cliches: they're never part of the straight narrative voice, but they're both ubiquitous and self-consciously mocked in Cordelia's internal monologue. Which, aside from cohering to Cordelia's characterization as fast-thinking and self-deprecating, makes perfect sense: cliches are the common currency of our first, unedited thoughts. ei arvosteluja | lisää arvostelu
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Political intrigue, culture clash, and romance make a stirring mix in this award-winning follow-up novel to the acclaimed Shards of Honor. In the wake of interplanetary war, former commander Cordelia Naismith has deserted her own planet to marry the leader of the defeated enemy, Aral Vorkosigan. On his home planet of Barrayar, two rival factions are eyeing the recently vacated throne, and Aral, recently appointed Regent of Barrayar by the Emperor on his deathbed, must stand between them. Lord and Lady Vorkosigan, Aral and Cordelia struggle to establish stability in a fragile government thrown into confusion by the transition of power and the threat of civil war. When a palace coup endangers the government, their lives, and her unborn son, Cordelia takes action to secure the safety of her new family and new home. Kirjastojen kuvailuja ei löytynyt. |
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Google Books — Ladataan... LajityypitMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.54Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1945-1999Kongressin kirjaston luokitusArvio (tähdet)Keskiarvo:
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During one of the assassination attempts, Cordelia is exposed to poison gas that badly endangers her fetus, and causes her to lose her future fertility. The fetus is moved to an artificial womb and it is unclear if it will be viable- and then the coup happens.
The rest of the book is quite gripping and exciting, with Cordelia first on the run in the countryside and then on a rogue mission to rescue her son from the plotters, who have taken custody of the machine in which he is gestating. We also witness the budding romance between two important characters, and the continued development of Bothari, who is in some ways the most interesting character in the book, a damaged yet heroic figure.
I like the conceit- we're following a plucky and badass alien woman from a society with equal gender roles, bringing her badassery to a sexist and hierarchical planet. It's pretty clear that change is coming, and Cordelia is going to drive it. I did find the final act a bit implausible, but still enjoyed the book. ( )