Lois McMaster Bujold’s Hugo Award and Locus Award winning novel, Barrayar, opens after the events of her first novel featuring the adventures of Captain Cordelia Naismith and her would-be husband, Lord Aral Vorkosigan. I first read Shards of Honor last year and although I felt it had a few minor structural issues I was thoroughly impressed with the way in which Bujold was able to weave a strong romantic thread into this feudal tale set firmly in a science ficitonal universe. I commented at the time that I felt Bujold was able to accomplish things with this story that felt authentic because they were being told by a female author through the point of view of a female character.
It is apparent in Shards of Honor that in Cordelia Naismith Bujold has developed a fully rounded character, and that trend continues in this gripping second novel. It was easy to see early on why Barrayar captured the attention of the science fiction community back in the early 90’s.
The story opens after the marriage of Cordelia and Lord Aral and their return to his home planet of Barrayar. In spite of their plans to settle down and live a quiet life, Lord Aral is tapped for public service as a guardian of the child Emperor Gregor, a task that quickly goes from burdensome to dangerous as other factions vie for power. Adding to that danger is the fact that Cordelia Vorkosigan is with child and is carrying it within her body, according to Barrayan custom, rather than being handled externally as is done on her scientifically advanced Betan Colony. As threats to her husband, her friends and then her child increase, Lady Cordelia Vorkosigan must marshal all her strength, stubbornness and intelligence to keep herself and those she loves alive.
My Rating: 9/10 stars. One that will appeal to fantasy and science fiction readers who like strong character-based drama.
I found myself at work earlier this week without the current novel I was reading and thus I pulled Cordelia’s Honor (the omnibus paperback that contains both Shards of Honor and Barrayar) from my small stash of books and began it over lunch hour. I was immediately drawn back into Bujold’s Vorkosigan universe, recollecting why I felt so connected to these characters the first time I encountered them. I realize that the idea of romantic love in science fiction does not appeal to everyone, but I was thoroughly impressed with the way in which Bujold wove a strong, committed relationship into her fully-realized science fiction universe. Both Cordelia and Lord Aral demonstrate moments of head-over-heels bliss for one another but it does not feel corny or old-fashioned…or perhaps it does feel old-fashioned but only in the best of ways.
I would not presume to speculate on what female readers expect and desire from female protagonists. What I can do is judge them by what is important to me in the way that I see women and Lois McMaster Bujold embodies Cordelia with all the best qualities while making her a very authentic character. She is strong and capable, intelligent and resourceful. She has married into a society that to her is quite backward in many of its practices and is both male-dominated and prone to violence. She is willing to meet some of her new society’s expectations while putting her feelings and commitment to her husband and then unborn child above societal expectations. She is fiercely loyal to those she loves and is willing to see past the surface of people. She is passionately in love with her husband and does not see those feelings as a weakness but instead as the strength that they indeed are. She has also been involved in battle and is a cunning adversary who is once again put to the test in this novel. She is imperfect, as is her husband Aral, and those imperfections make her thoughts, reactions and interactions feel so genuine. In short Cordelia Vorkosigan is a character who is easy to identify with and consequently to root for.
Bujold seamlessly weaves together the feudal/fantasy settings with futuristic science fiction in a way that is not confusing for readers. It is beautifully done and I applaud her for it. I am not surprised these novels have such a strong following as they have elements that will appeal to all kinds of readers. The science fiction aspects of the story are not so scientific or confusing that they would alienate readers unfamiliar with or averse to science fiction. The fantasy elements feel somewhat historical and I am impressed at how Bujold reminds readers in subtle ways that this is taking place in a technologically advanced society. The characters are everything in these novels but that does not stop Bujold from creating a very interesting universe for them to inhabit.
I understand that the series continues with its focus on Cordelia’s son and a variety of other characters and while I am very interested in continuing these tales I am also saddened to know that Cordelia will not be my guide in these stories. I highly recommend that readers pick up a copy of Cordelia’s Honor. It has both of these novels in one convenient package and together they tell a wonderful, romantic, exciting page-turning story.
For all of you Vorkosigan lovers out there, I get it, I really do. Count me in.
The cover art for this NESFA version of Barrayar is by Scott Murphy. I had the pleasure of seeing the original art at the inaugural Spectrum Fantastic Art Live. It was a really nice piece and I’m happy that I finally know the story that inspired the painting.
so happy to finally get you firmly on the Vorkosigan bus! 😀
another author that I read recently with a similar female viewpoint is Linnea Sinclair, the first of her books I picked up is ‘Finders Keepers’. I didn’t realize it was considered a romance until I was 3/4’s of the way thru the book! It feels very similar to Bujold’s world. I wondered if she was influenced by Bujold while I was reading it.
and I am blown away by that new cover art! I may need to acquire another copy just to have the artwork. 😀
Me too! I have prayer of ever catching up, but its fun to be a couple of novels in. I put the prequel and the first Miles omnibus on my Christmas list yesterday.
I’m not sure I’ve seen any of Sinclair’s books, but I’ll have to look them up.
I like that cover art too. Now that I know I’ve read and liked it I may have to order it from NEFSA Press.
I completely agree with your take on “Barrayar”. I read it because I’m doing a personal challenge of reading all the Hugos, as well as the Women of Genre Fiction challenge on WWEnd. I didn’t read the first book, but was awed by how self-contained “Barrayar” was. And yes, Cordelia is a great character, wonderfully fleshed out. I’ve read a few of the Miles novels (for my Hugo challenge) and didn’t find them as good. They seemed to be missing the care and complexity that Bujold created in “Barrayar.”
The URL is for my blog, where I have my review of “Barrayar.” I found your blog perusing WWEnd and am glad I did. I like your writing style, how easily the thoughts flow from fingers. I often feel my reviews are a bunch of one liners with forced filler text. Your reviews provide me inspiration to continue writing, because, I know, the only way to get good at writing is by writing. Thanks for a great site!
So glad you visited. I enjoyed your review and recommend others check it out, here is the direct link:
http://itstartedwiththehugos.blogspot.com/search?q=barrayar
I appreciate the kind words although I found nothing at all lacking in your review. I especially like the way you very nicely sum up plot points that I completely ignored in my review.
Look forward to checking out more of your reviews. I’m also interested to see what WWE will be doing for their reading challenge in 2014.
I’ve read the first of these, but have yet to get to BArrayar. I really enjoyed it, I’ve enjoyed all of Bujold’s that I’ve picked up.
As for what this female reader wants from female characters? The same thing I want from male characters, for them to be *real* 🙂
It is so good Fence, I think you’ll enjoy it very much.
And thanks for the female perspective. Authenticity in character-heavy books is always a plus. I am the first to admit that I don’t mind characters who are more of a “type” if the book is entertaining, but when the big focus of a book is a complex set of characters then I want to feel that they are genuinely ones I can relate to on some level.
Oh yeah, it does depend on the sort of book. In a quick, light book I don’t mind if the characters are slightly stereotypical. Once it is all of them. If the men are real and the women all cliches then it bugs me.
Yes, if you have a mix (at least of main characters) then it weakens the overall story.
I haven’t read any Bujold at all and had no idea where to start. Someone suggested The Warrior’s Apprentice which I duly bought but have not read yet. Was thinking I would try to get to it for the upcoming Sci-Fi experience. And I have a confession to make – I’ve already started my first book for it. It was just too tempting. LOL
I recommend starting with Shards of Honor (or, as I said, getting both these books in the Cordelia’s Honor paperback). I look forward to meeting Miles, but I imagine I’ll think more of him as a person having met his mother and father so thoroughly in these two books.
And I don’t blame you for starting, feel free to post reviews early too. That goes for everyone.
part of the fun with meeting Miles is the complete exasperation of Cordelia & Aral towards their unruly sons hijinks! which just keep getting larger and balloon out of all control as he grows up! so, i’d agree; start with Shards of Honor if at all possible. 😀
I can see that! Even in fiction we parents can’t catch a break. 🙂
Thanks, Carl and sgist! Well, I’ve taken the plunge and ordered Shards of Honor. Knowing my tendency to get very hooked on character driven science fiction, I don’t need a crystal ball to see where this is headed. LOL!
Carl, yes I’ll be doing a review of my first book for the experience. Just need to check to see if you’ve linked to a review site as in my excitement I didn’t notice.
Yes, you will enjoy this one!
There is a review site. If you look at my side bar, the second “Sci-Fi Experience” button is the review site link which will take you right there. Look forward to your first review!
Found it. Thanks, Carl, have bookmarked it.
I love both the first two books (which I think of as the “Cordelia books”), and I was initially a bit disappointed with the Miles books. But half-way through The Warrior’s Apprentice, something just clicked. I enjoy the space-set books, but I prefer those set on Barrayar – partly because they’re more likely to include Cordelia & Aral. You have some wonderful books ahead of you.
I’m happy to hear that. Its going to be hard leaving Cordelia behind.
I haven’t read any of Bujold’s books, but based on this review, she sounds like an author that I’d love. I’ll have to give these a try at some point. 🙂
Oh, I certainly think so. Add them to that short list you have. 🙂
I read “Shard of Honor” last year too and haven’t read “Barrayar” yet. I guess I better get going. 🙂
If you liked they two novels you’re going to love the rest of the series because Miles Vorkosigan is what really makes these books. I’ve read several of the novels with him and they are so much fun.
It’s probably unfair to say, because the writing in “Shard” was still good, but these first two novels feel like a slog because I’d rather be reading about Miles.
It will be interesting to see what I think because I really love Cordelia and thought these books were excellent and am not much excited about Miles as a character. I have high expectations for Bujold to sell me on him.
So glad that you enjoyed this book! I started the Vorkosigan saga back in 2011 as part of the Sci-Fi Experience and gradually worked my way through until I brought myself up to date in this year’s experience. Whilst initially I was reluctant to exchange Cordelia for Miles he won me over and this became one of my favourite series.
I have the Sharing knife series ready to start but I don’t want to read through her books too fast so I am taking it slowly… 🙂
Oh how cool that the Experience was where you first read this series! I’m excited that you are caught up. I’m a loooooong way from there. I’m looking forward to being sold on Miles (fingers crossed) like so many of the rest of you are.
I really like the sound of this. Might go look up Cordelia’s Honor.
Thanks
Lynn 😀
Cordelia’s Honor would be a great two-book selection for The Sci-Fi Experience!
Glad you liked it, Carl! 😀
Miles is, if anything, even stronger as a protagonist than Cordelia – I hope you enjoy his books! IMHO Barrayar is one of the strongest entries in the series – the early books (Shards, Warrior’s Apprentice) were a bit rough, but the author definitely hit her stride by Barrayar.
Glad to hear that Peter. I’m planning on reading the prequel, Falling Free, next (should arrive in the mail today) and then go on to the Miles stories.
I keep collecting these books but I have only read one! I really need to get back to her!
Ha, that sounds like so many of the books I have! We are peas in a pod in that sense. I just started her book Falling Free last night, which is set in this universe but way in the past. I’m liking it thus far.