Barrayar (Vorkosigan Saga)

Barrayar is, chronologically, the second book in the Miles Vorkosigan series, though it was written after the first few books of that series came out. It continues the story of Miles' mother, Cordelia Naismith (though now she's married, so it's really Cordelia Vorkosigan). It ends with a very young Miles, neatly tying into the beginning of Miles' story (which is what the rest of the series is about). Barrayar won a Hugo award, one of the highest awards in science fiction writing, and I will have to say that it was well-deserved. This is a fabulous book.
After leaving her home planet of Beta to marry Aral Vorkosigan on his home planet of Barrayar, Cordelia tries to settle into a Barrayaran retired nobles' life. Aral has retired from politics and wants to lead a quiet life with his new wife. Cordelia is pregnant with their son, and he just wants to live a happy life with her. Unfortunately, events transpire to make that impossible. The Emperor is dying and his grandson (the son died in Shards of Honor, the first book) is only four years old. A regent must be appointed, and Vorkosigan is the only one who would be agreeable to the majority of Counts. Thus, Cordelia and Aral's life is turned upside down when he assumes his new duties. There is plenty of political intrigue as other Counts scheme for power because Vorkosigan wants to bring Barrayar into the current century while the conservatives want things to stay as they are. These events even go so far as to really affect the unborn Miles in ways that will be familiar to long-time Vorkosigan fans, but which I won't spoil in case you've never read a Vorkosigan book.
This book is fascinating in many ways. First, as a fan of the series already (I've only got two books to go, not counting the new one that's coming out this summer), it was very interesting to see the characters I've known and loved for so long before they became the characters I've known. It is interesting to see them develop the attitudes that I'm familiar with. Simon Illyan (the head of Imperial Security in the series) starts out as captain of Aral's personal security force. Emperor Gregor, who we've only seen since he was seventeen, is now a four-year old child, aware of what's going on around him but not really understanding the political situation. A lot of the nobility would like to control him, especially through his mother.
Not only the characters, but there's also many events that have been referred to in the series that we finally get to see happen on screen. Biggest of these, of course, is what happens to Miles. We have been told many times what happened, but it's interesting to finally see it. Of course, there has also been a lot that hasn't been mentioned before, and those events are intriguing too. A lot of what we know is now coloured a different way now that we know the events that surrounded it. Some people have suggested that you should read this series chronologically, starting with Shards of Honor. I'm almost of the opinion that you should have a few Miles books under your belt before tackling these, just because it makes these books even more interesting than they already are.
The second reason the book is fascinating is because of the view of Barrayaran politics that we get. Cordelia is an outsider, and some of the practices on Barrayar are almost barbaric to her. There is very little genetic manipulation of offspring, for one. Mutants are killed as soon as they are born so they don't affect the gene pool. Some other political aspects are so different than what she's used to that she needs some coaching in how to deal with them. Thankfully, Aral's family is up to the task. It's interesting to see these from an outsider's point of view. I don't think the story would be nearly as effective if it was just a political tale told from within Barrayaran society. Some of the most priceless scenes come from this weird dichotomy.
For fans of romance, though, there is definitely some of that in here. This book continues to develop the relationship between Aral and Cordelia, showing how strong their love is as it withstands the pressures that politics places on it. Again, as with Shards of Honor, this is a mature romance, though because they are actually together now (unlike Shards), there are some playful moments as well. These are two character that the reader cares deeply about.
I couldn't put this book down. It has everything: action, romance, explosions, intrigue, great characters. This one is certainly worth a pick up. It also stands alone, as you don't need to read any of the other books to enjoy it. It helps to read the others (especially Shards of Honor), but it's not mandatory. Wonderful book.

Barrayar is the second part of what was once called 'Cordelia's Honor' which contains what is now the two books Shards of Honor, and Barrayar. Shards of Honor has a rather simple plot, but is otherwise excellent. Barrayar is simply excellent.

Bujold in this exciting book brings together outstanding characters, in a complex plot showcasing morals, ethics, politics, gender issues, and the futilities of modern warfare in such a splendid way that you would never realize the weight of the material you are reading. Rather than a social commentary on the various ways we live today (which is what this book really is about) you find yourself enthralled in a wonderful story pitting two strong characters with the courage and the wits about them to navigate the strange twist of events life throws their way. Like other great marriages I have known, they find themselves testing their love for each other, and their love for their unborn child in sometimes heroic ways. Two people showcasing the best of humanity in two very different ways. Breathtakingly beautiful book.

I will not spoil this for you by showing you the plot.

Suffice it to say this is an absolute must read.

Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan universe obviously struck a cord with the people who vote for the best science fiction novels of the year. Four of them, The Vor Game, Falling Free, Mirror Dance, and this book all won a major award. I have not read Mirror Dance (yet), but of the other three, this book is the best of them. There is something more mature about the story, and the storytelling is more compelling.

Perhaps it is just me, but the story of Lady Vorkosigan, the former Captain Naismith from the planet Beta, is more interesting than that of her son Miles (the hero of most of Bujold's novels). Since she is an outsider (as are we, the readers) in the world of Barrayaran customs, we get a handy tour guide. She also seeks the same explanations we do when the twisted Barrayaran honour system kicks in, and these exchanges greatly enhance the reader's experience of Bujold's fictitious universe.

For those that need a road map: this is a prequel novel, taking place about 20 years before the events of Bujold's other novels in the series. The main characters are many we have met before: Miles's parents, his cousin the Emporer (here a child of 5 years), his security chief Illyan, and a number of others. The plot: the old Emporer has died leaving his 5-year old grandson as the legal heir. Lord Vorkosigan (Miles's father) becomes Regent, much to the chagrin of some of the other Vor lords who were vying for more power. Ultimately, a power play takes place with a palace coup engineered by one of the other Vor lords.

Like the recent Star Wars prequel trilogy, fans of the series will not find much suspense in the overall arc of the story. Many of the main characters are in later Vorkosigan books, so there's no life/death suspense there (of course, those that haven't read the books that were published earlier but take place later in the universe's timeline won't suffer this problem). Again, just as we knew that Anakin would become Darth Vader at the end of Star Wars Episode III, we also know that Miles survives the gas attack and whatever else might befall him in his fetal state. However, it's not so much the destination but the journey that makes the book so compelling. Because it's so well written, and the characters so interesting, we are drawn in and turn the pages eagerly awaiting what will happen next.

I think there is one other reason why this book is better than others in the series: here we finally have the female author writing a female main character. There is something too ... touchy-feely about Miles that never quite rings true. He is sometimes a female-tinged carricature of a young man, which is not surprising, I suppose. In this book, the depth of feeling and the details in the female characters feel so much truer than any of her male characters.

For those that haven't read any of the other books in the series, don't listen to what the fans of the series tell you - you can jump in anywhere. This book can be readily enjoyed by anyone not familiar with the extended Vorkosigan universe. In fact, as the strongest of the series, I would actually recommend starting with this book.

This continuation of Cordelia's story from Shards of Honor is fast paced and harrowing as she is plunged into Barrayar's politics against her will. I thought the strength of the novel is how the relationship of Aral and Cordelia evolves through the crises the two must endure.

"Barrayar" was the first novel by Ms. Bujold that I read. Immediately after finishing it, I went out and bought every other book she had in print, and I eagerly snap up each new offering. I have always been thoroughly entertained.
The characters, scenes, situations, and dialog are all skillfully woven together - consistent, believable, and engrossing.
This book contains one of the most powerful and memorable scenes I have ever read - when Cordelia returns after ending the Vordarian Pretendership (with extreme prejudice). It is the climax of the book in every meaning of the word. I re-read the scene several times, relishing its perfection, and I have re-read the novel several times with no loss in the power of that scene.
If you cannot find this book (it's out of print) read "Cordelia's Honor", a combination of "Barrayar" and "Shards of Honor". Then read each and every book about Miles Vorkosigan, the child of Cordelia and Aral. You will be fascinated by this (and all her other) characters.
My other favorite authors are David Drake, Robert Heinlein, Jerry Pournelle, S.M. Stirling, Harry Turtledove, Robert B. Parker and John D. MacDonald, so Ms. Bujold is in some very good company.

I read this book a few years ago and I loved it!!! It has stayed with me and is singularly responsible for my love and respect for this author. I tend to enjoy books with good characterizations and this one is chalked full of it. I loved Cordelia Naismith, Aral Vorkosigan and Bothari. This book is powerful and every bit deserving of the awards it has received. Lots of intrigue, suspense and just plain superb writing. Not typical SF fare to be sure. This novel is far more. As an SF enthusiust, I found the novel to be fullfilling. Unemcumbered by misplaced laser fights, starships and aliens, Bujold was creating a universe with compelling societies and projections as to what can happen to man as he expands his presence in the universe. What type of aborrations and mutations to our views of society and morality will ensue (as the future inevidably dictate will occur), once man extends beyond earth in the outgrowth of extraterrestrial colonies. Barrayar is just one interpretation. I think Bujold puts across these ideas and much much more. She does so brilliantly. Awesome book.

This book was a pleasure to read. I must say right at the beginning that this book is a direct sequel to "Shards of Honor". It is not absolutely necessary to read Shards in order to understand and enjoy this book, but I would highly recommend that you do. Having said that, this book broadens the storyline of Cordelia as she makes her way in her new home on Barrayar. Adding to the story is her pregnancy that keeps her thinking about not only herself and her new husband, but her unborn child. Also she must come to terms with an inspired cast of characters who are searching for their own way in the new order on Barrayar. Altogether, this book is a tour-de-force not to be missed by any fan of science fiction. Highly Recommended.

"Barrayar," winner of the Hugo award, is itself out of print, but available in the new paperback, "Cordelia's Honor," which also has "Shards of Honor." Both together are the story of Cordelia Naismith, a survey officer from civilized, polite Beta. She was first captured by, then married, Lord Aral Vorkosigan, "The Butcher of Komarr." "Barrayer" is the story of the incredible effect Cordelia had on Vorkosigan's warrior planet Barrayar, and how she stopped the civil war that threatened to slag down the planet. The heir she bore Vorkosigan was twisted and deformed from an assassination attempt during pregnacy. This son, Miles, Lord Vorkosigan, is the hero of the following 9 books (so far) of the Vorkosigan saga. I am very fond of David Drake's and S.M. Stirling realistic SF war stories. Lois McMaster Bujold's "Barrayar" and the Vorkosigan Saga stories are Drake's and Stirling's equal. "Barrayar" is very highly recommended.

I still feel like this is a series I could happily walk away from and not miss, but this Hugo-winning second novel -- actually the seventh in publication order -- is a definite improvement over the first. (I'm also told that the baby who gets born at the end of this story is the real main character of the series, so I suppose I'll read at least one more to see if I finally get hooked.) Anyway, this was a fun enough swashbuckling sort of sci-fi adventure, mostly focused on fleshing out the militaristic low-tech culture of the title planet. It reads very much like a classic Ruritanian romance, and that's not a bad thing at all.

This novel, which won the 1992 Hugo Award for best science fiction novel of the year, is a sequel to "Shards of Honor" (1986), "Barrayar" beginning a day after the end of that earlier novel. It again focuses on Cordelia Naismith, now Lady Vorkosigan of the planet Barrayar. Her husband is asked to serve as Regent for the child emperor of Barrayar and both Cordelia and Aral Vorkosigan have to deal with the plots and palace intrigues of their foes. An assassination attempt fails but seriously affects the growth and development of their unborn child, who will be the main character in most of the other volumes in the series.

The thing that most stands out about this book is the completely believable, understandable characters. The plot to this book isn't really a whole lot...more like a historical romance than a sci-fi book, but the characters are some of the most finely wrought that I've ever encountered in sci-fi. I may not like most of them, but I understood them all, and thought of them as real people (a very difficult trick). Bujold is extremely accomplished at this, and she brings humanity to what is often a cold, impersonal genre.

"Barrayar" is a cool book. It flows flawlessly, one chapter merges into the next without any convenient spots to put the book down--which is great if you've got 5 hours to spare. Anyway, the novel is set in the far, far future, in a galaxy trillions of light years away (I think the road directions is something like travel at warp speed for several hours, turn at the second black hole, go through customs, park....). The heroine is Cordelia Naismith, a Betan transport captain who married Lord Aral, Count Vorkosigan of Barrayar. Vorkosigan is the Regent of the planet, so he's the target of assassinations, political backstabbings, and even a revolution. Poor Cordelia is trapped in the middle of the struggle, pregnant and rather miserable because Barrayar is so barbaric compared with her Star Trek-like old lifestyle.
Anyway, things really heat up when a nasty Pretender to the throne successfully carries off a coup d'etat, now, Cordelia's friends and her husband's allies are on the run for their lives. This provides the oportunity for Bujold to write some nail-biting cliff-hangers....
An engaging heroine, a Duke of Wellington-like hero, stuck on a planet that's a cross between revolutionary France and the Klingon homeworld, equals unparalled entertainment. Unborn baby Miles Vorkosigan takes a supporting role in this novel.

This is my first encounter with Lois McMaster Bujold's world which seems to have created a cult after the letters V, O and R. Having in mind that millions of fans and plentiful Hugo nominations and awards for the Vor world could not have been all wrong or misled, I started reading Barrayar a positive attitude.

First things first. I must confess I was not impressed by the science part. The technology of the planet is very standard and convenient and feels like how it would be if a good, but mainstream writer decided to write science fiction.You have stunners here, plasma arcs there, a convenient thermal detection to avoid enemies and no AI whatsoever which I find hard to swallow.

However, having said that Lois McMaster Bujold is not, say Greg Bear or Charles Stross, I must also confess that the reading is very light, pleasant, and at places unstoppable. There is a certain moment in the novel regarding the rolling of a certain character's head where you will find yourself jumping with joy, shouting "off with his head!".

Science fiction writers with a long vision create their own worlds. Although I would not enter Bujold's world for a permanent stay, I`d be glad to visit it again as a visitor.

To start with, if you haven't yet read Shards of Honor, the first novel in the tales of Miles Vorkosigan (even though it doesn't actually feature Miles, it's about how his parents met), STOP, go back and read it before approaching Barrayar. You'll be glad you did. These two novels, written seven years apart, tell one complete story arc. How that came to be is an interesting story.

Shards of Honor and Barrayar form the beginning of the Miles Vorkosigan series. (Bujold's novel Falling Free takes place within the same fictional universe but, being set approximately 200 years before Miles' birth, features none of the series' familiar characters. Eventually you'll want to read Falling Free, but it doesn't matter when; you can insert it into your Bujold reading experience anytime.) Shards of Honor is Bujold's first novel (not merely the first novel she ever sold, but the first she ever wrote, thus disproving the axiom, "All first novels are unsaleable trash"). She begins writing it in December 1982. In mid-'83, having worked through the Shards material and about a third into what would eventually become Barrayar, Bujold realizes her manuscript is becoming too long to submit as one book (the "wisdom" at the time being a thin manuscript is more likely to be picked off the slush pile than a thick one). Bujold finds a logical breaking point for her tale (Cordelia's arrival on Barrayar), puts it in final draft form, and mothballs the partially finished "rest of the story."

Bujold submits Shards and begins working on another book, The Warrior's Apprentice. She's about halfway through that when Shards comes back rejected with an editorial suggestion she tighten it up. She finishes Warrior's, then cuts about 80 pages out of Shards, giving her two good unpublished novels. In 1985, around the time she finishes her third novel, Ethan of Athos, Warrior's makes it over the transom at Baen, and suddenly she goes from unpublished wannabe to successful novelist with three books (Shards, Warrior's, Ethan) SOLD. Shards is published in 1986.

Fastforward to 1989. Bujold has written four more books, Falling Free, Brothers In Arms, Borders of Infinity (a short story collection), and The Vor Game. Then the program-book editor of Philcon, a long-established SF convention in Philadelphia, asks Bujold to do a short story or outtake to donate to their program book. Remembering the unfinished novel fragment of years before, she troops up into her attic, retrieves the pages, reads them and decides to complete it as a novel. After all, it's already a third finished, right? And in 1992, Barrayar won the Hugo Award for Best SF Novel of the Year.

Shards of Honor stars Captain Cordelia Naismith, commander of a survey team for the Betan Expeditionary Force, and Captain Aral Vorkosigan, victim of a mutiny on his Barrayaran warship. Both stranded on an unexplored alien planet, officers on opposite sides of the Betan-Barrayaran War, they reach an agreement of honor: they will trust and rely on each other for survival as they travel across a planet seemingly intent on throwing all its resources into killing them before they can reach Aral's ship. And then there's the little problem of overcoming the mutineers.... In the process of their adventures, Cordelia and Aral fall in love.

Barrayar deals with her first experiences on that planet, leading up to the birth of her and Aral's son Miles (though there is an epilogue showing Miles at age five). Both Shards and Barrayar are told from Cordelia's perspective. Thereafter in this series Miles, with very few exceptions, takes center stage. Never again will Cordelia be the main character. But for these two books she emerges as one of the most well-realized, loving and vulnerable but still tough-as-nails female SF protagonists ever.

The next book in the series you'll want to read is The Warrior's Apprentice, which picks up Miles' life at age 17.

The Vorkosigan series is one of the best contemporary SF series. This novel particularly illustrates why Bujold stands out from the crowd. Most of today's serials utilize formulas that become quite tedious as well as predictable. Bujold's formula seems to be maximum conflict and a resolution that relies on rich developing characters set against a backdrop that is enhanced by insights into our own social make-up.

The Vorkosigan series is probably one of the most successful, recognized, and awarded series in present day science fiction. It seems Bujold is winning a Hugo award every other year or so. And Hugo nominating fans, bless their hearts, once they're hooked in a writers universe, are loyal to the end. Bujold has become like the present day Asimov, Clarke, and Heinlein all rolled into one. Even a fantasy novel written by her, like Paladin of Souls, will win a Hugo award (has global warming caused some sort of seasonal reminiscing, seems that any book cover with a scene of snow will do well). So writing any criticism of Bujold is swimming upstream against massive fanhood. Now Bujold certainly deserves kudos for some of her Vorkosigan series. Her 1989 novella, The Mountains of Mourning, was a dual-award winning, 5 star novella. It was a triumph on how one's physical ability (in this case Miles Vorkosigan) does not hamper one's mental or leadership abilities. However, in this novel, Barrayar, about Miles' parents, reads way more like a romance novel than a science fiction novel, only they wear uniforms and it's set on another planet. I've read the list publishers send out for requirements for a romance novel. There has to be a heroine and a strong hero, and the other male characters weak. Miles mother, is the obvious heroine and is like god herself and her husband is the obvious hero, a powerful leader loved by everyone with no valid criticism by anyone reasonable, but who receives indispensable advice, from who else, his wife, and all the other male characters are weak or loyal like dogs. Once you recognize it, you can barely enjoy reading this novel.

Barrayar is one of Bujold's best. It is THE starting point into Bujold's work. WIth it, you can step back to read Shard's of Honor and see where Codelia and the Vor came from, or you can step forward into Miles' world and life (forward momentum). Either way, Barrayar contains the best of the Vorkosigan world. Action and a true feeling of romance and family abound. The greatness of great people such as Aral an Piotr and Cordelia is given full view as they live up to nearly unmatchable honors and codes. Bujold's characters are people, first and foremost, but by their actions, decisions, determination, and honor, they rise above the label of normalcy and transcend into greatness. Aral and Piotr are both grim, honorable, and dependable. Bothari is mad and crazy and loyal above all. Cordelia, above all this is determined for a normal life and will do anything, including becoming great to get this prize.
If you read any new series, if you read any new series, start with this!

Just another run of the mill Masterpiece for Bujold, a
wounderfull combination hard sf, space opera and romance.

Our heroine goes from being a retired officer in a forign
land to the savior of the empire in a whorl wind of turning
pages.

Bujolds grasp of things military, and the workings of the
military mind, make this a geat read.

Not sure what the big deal is about this book. There's nothing new here other than making space opera realistic by using realistic (if somewhat stereotypical) characters. I did enjoy _Shards of Honor_ and I like the characters but there are really no ideas, nothing new. It's almost as if Bujold started writing background notes for her next story then just added some action scenes and called it a book.
I didn't hate it, it just makes me feel like I just got done watching a soap opera. I guess I'll give a couple of the Miles books a try and see if I like them any better.

If you like your science fiction to concentrate more on the humans and less on the toys you'll love Bujold's books. Lois Mcmaster Bujold has created some of the most memorable charachters in any series I've read. You might not like all the people, but she gives you enough information so that you will understand why they are the way they are. Yet she does it subtlely, no pages long exposition but a paragraph here and there naturally build your knowledge of Barrayar and its history which causes the peoples attitudes. I personally prefer to start at the begining of a series and then follow it through in chronological order so I would recommend reading Shards of Honor first. I love the humor sprinkled through her books and the scene after Cordelia returns to Aral with her shopping bag is truly outstanding.

I am definitely "hooked" on the Vorkosigan saga. As soon as I finish one, I order another.
Captain Naismith/Lord Vorkosigan lives an exciting life despite his physical handicaps. He is brave, daring and persistent no matter what the odds. I like that the hero is not perfect, physically or mentally; he has flaws. His intelligence and wit are fun and engaging. The other characters are also interesting in their diversity and their connections to the main character. I highly recommend this book and all the others in the series.

A masterpiece that rightly won a Hugo award. You'll probably want to read the whole series after this. It's out of print, but you can buy "Cordelia's Honor" instead, which is a repackaging of "Shards of Honor" and "Barrayar" in one volume. My other favorites in the series (I've got 'em all except for the last one): "Mirror dance" (just awesome -- possibly the best SF book I've ever read), "Ethan of Athos" (in a humorous way) and "Memory", but you won't be disappointed in any of them.

Countering coup.

Aral and Cordelia are married, and when the current bloke in charge carks it, he gets left in charge. All is not well however, as political opposition stages a coup, with leads to their damaged in the womb by poison attack son's environment being taken away, and the pair forced to go on the run and see what they can work out to set things write.

As the regent's wife, the more liberal Cordelia will have a changing effect on the Prince's upbringing compared to the status quo.

Underneath a fun and fascinating story there is so much wisdom in this book on communication, respect, loyalty and honor. It is my go to guide whenever I run into a moral dilemma. Worth a read. And worth reading again.

The sequel to Cordelia's Honor and second in the Vorkosigan saga has Cordelia, Aral and the others fighting against a trader whose mad grab for power seems to be working. Cordelia has to keep her unborn baby safe while saving the planet.

This Hugo award winning novel lives up to its reputation mixing great story telling with unforgettable characters.

This is what we have come to expect from Bujold. The scene where Cordelia returns from her "Shopping" trip is worth the price of admission alone. It also has the wonderful line "Dear Captain, I was so worried about you that I forgot to worry about your enemies."
Highly recomended.