Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen (The Vorkosigan Saga Book 17)

What was this?! I have really enjoyed tthe series but the last couple of books have been something else, especially this one. Should have been filed under romance, not sci-fi or anything else. So upset over wasted money on ebook and narration.

I've enjoyed every single book that has Miles Vorkosigan in it. But the story all started with Cordelia and Aral. I wondered over the years as I continued to follow Miles, why we never heard about Cordelia. As a result, I was really thrilled to read this update of their lives. It was over too soon, a fun read.

I love reading Lois Bujold...until now. This is a slow train wreck of a book. It almost seems there was more effort put into being pc than in having an interesting plot. I have every one of the author's other books and none of them are like this. In fact this is one of the few authors I will buy hardbacks to save in my library so I was doubly disappointed by this issuance. Perhaps Ms. Bujold is getting tired of writing about the Vorkosigan universe (sad but understandable) or maybe she was just due for a clunker. Either way this is not a book I will be re-reading. Instead I will hope her next book will revert to her normal tight plot with interesting characters, action, and wry humor without the pc garbage.

I was looking forward to another fabulous Vorkosigan story. I kept waiting for the adventure to start, and then there were only some 30 pages left in the book, and I was still waiting for the adventure to start.
There are many references to what transpired in previous books...which for me is a good incentive to go back and read them again (for the third time).
I got one good laugh, when Cordelia was explaining her relationship to Miles. On page 214 of the hardback edition she described it in Very Blunt Betan terms. I think I laughed for a full minute.
Otherwise, there is just not much going on to the story. I was hoping for another adventure, but what I got was little more than navel contemplation.

This book has changed how I purchase Lois McMaster Bujold novels. I used to buy whatever she wrote. I will not do that in the future. Not only does absolutely nothing HAPPEN in this novel, but she goes back and re-imagines several characters, changing them entirely. What she has re-imagined for Cordelia is in keeping with Cordelia, but what she has re-imagined for Aral is not. This is on the scale of Harper Lee's "Go Set a Watchman" turning Atticus Finch into a racist. She's taken a beloved character and made him something that he previously was not. And it's disturbing. I would've like to have given this book fewer stars, but it's still well written. Just . . . sad.

Frankly, I grew bored in the first few chapters and never finished it. Not that it isn't well written, this is LMB after all, but I simply couldn't get into it as usual. Mind, I had a lot going on at the time, still do actually, so it might have been just me. So 3 stars for failing to distract me from my mess with the understanding that it's probably my fault.

This is the least captivating book I have read in the "Miles" universe. It appears to have been written for the sole purpose of wrapping up Cordelia. There is no action to speak of, no plots, no subterfuge, not even really a love story. Most disappointing.

I think this is Lois’ farewell to the Vorkosigan’s. I may only be imagining things, but after reading ALL of her fiction and some of her non-fiction, Cordelia is finally and simply the undiluted Lois McMaster-Bujold.

A beautiful story and a magnificent author.

I love Lois MB's Vorkosigan Saga! Amazing worlds, great characters ( good and bad ), sweeping vistas and action. This is a nice story that ties up some stuff but the sweeping vistas and action are pretty much completely absent. I still liked it and it's well written ( as it would be ) but I did keep waiting for something ( more ) to happen.

Just for really devoted Bujold fans. There happens nothing. First half of book is really dull. when Miles arrives, book gets readable but lacks action, excitement, humour- key characteristics of Bujods novels.

All the same characters, all of the same feelings, none of the action. Nothing *happens* in this book! Its like an episode of downton abbey, in space. I kept reeding hoping for something more than an octogenarian romance novel - but no.

This addition to the Vorkosigan universe is a fun read for those who loved the earlier books, but it lacks the earlier wit and plot. The climax is weak and the story is 100% romance, 0% action. It's difficult to match the glory of the earliest books in the series, and I hope that LMB tries again.

While not plot free, precisely, GJ&RQ was essentially part love story, part social commentary/experiment. It has all of Lois's great writing, so it's very easy to forgive the lack of action/adventure, but it's definitely life on a slow bell in the Vorkosiverse.

Bill

This is a decent addition to the Vorkosigan series, but is certainly not a stand-alone portion. It mainly seems to serve as a wrapping-up of some dangling plot lines, and setting up for a final conclusion of the series.

Dragging romance, no humor, no adventure. I added the 2nd star because Bujold can write. But this over-priced book is dull to the extreme and obviously a publisher's demand, not a writer's inspiration.

This is a decent addition to the Vorkosigan series, but is certainly not a stand-alone portion. It mainly seems to serve as a wrapping-up of some dangling plot lines, and setting up for a final conclusion of the series.

Dragging romance, no humor, no adventure. I added the 2nd star because Bujold can write. But this over-priced book is dull to the extreme and obviously a publisher's demand, not a writer's inspiration.

Many of the themes have already been explored in Ethan of Athos.

Cordelia's decision to create six [spoiler] seems uncharacteristic, given that she seems to regard a visit from Miles' children as nuisances getting in the way of her private time and objectives.

I would have liked this better as a short story than a full length novella.

Not what I was expecting at all, but nonetheless good. While I have liked other books in this series better, it fit right in. I have always been ambivalent about Aral's bisexuality but it makes sense and fits in with Cordelia's Betan tolerance. Miles' cameo was a nice touch. The part about stupid people not moving even when they live on a volcano is so true. Dido the shortsidedness of politicians.

A little like hearing the boring tales of some really close friends, adds details and you love the story for who they are, but over all a big large yawn. None of the large scale crazy flipping, nerve racking, space opera that made the Vorkosigans shine.

For hard core fans.

I am so disappointed in this book. I love reading about Miles' adventures, but this had no adventures at all. I have all the books, and I'm sorry to say, I'm glad that I didn't pay $49.95 for a hardcover. I gues Ms Bujold wanted to tidy one last detail.

After having read all of the other VORKOSIGAN novels this one strays far away from the expected formula of plot and suspense that makes the series fun. This novel has no plot and is filled with pages and pages of detail on daily administrative decisions and worries about what other characters might think about relatively unimpressive personal goals of the main characters. This was a waste.

While there has been a broadness in the sexuality of this series, I was disappointed in the center of this novel revolving around past sexual encounters and deep relationships. Cordelia has been my favorite from the beginning off this series, but I just couldn't get through this book.

I have been an avid Vorkosigan fan for many years and own them all. However, with this installment there is no plot and none of the excitement/intrigue you expect from Vorkosigan novels. While Cordelia's personal life is mildly interesting I kept thinking that something would occur--didn't happen.

Had this been the first book in the Vorkosigan series, I probably wouldn't have read book 2. That said, it's book 70-something (I think?) and I'm already pretty invested in the series as is (I'd imagine) anyone else who has read this far into the series and is contemplating buying "Gentleman Jole..." But if you *haven't* read any other LMB books or books in the Vorkosigan series you do NOT want to start here. Go find a reading guide and start at the beginning. Or literally anywhere else in the series.

Now that I've warned off all of the new kids, for those of us cool people that have made it this far (book 82?) will probably enjoy this book. Especially if you go into it knowing that there aren't really any action scenes and it's a bit of a slow, nostalgic walk down one of the main character's (Cordelia) path to retirement. (Think: not exactly a page turner.) There are some short cameos of some favorite characters like Miles, but no real advancement of their plot lines. If anything, it seems to me like a brief pause to acknowledge the death of a major character before maybe (hopefully?) moving the series forward. And, as an author, when you're on book 89 in a series I think maybe you've earned the right to woolgather a little with a beloved character. We'll forgive it and even enjoy it for 300 pages or so.

Anyhow, if you enjoyed the other Vorkoisigan books, read this one. It's worth the little hit to keep you addicted. Like the methadone of the series? Whatever. Read it.

I was initially slightly disappointed, as I expected more of Cordelia's life and current family, and less of her activities on Sergyar. However, I soon got into the swing, though I still kept hoping for more insights on Miles, Ivan, Mark, Gregor, Duv, Alys, and their partners. I suppose I still want to know what's happening on Barrayar.
I hope it's not such a long interval till the next one.

What a disappointment. I have been pre-ordered this book and waited for many months. This book destroy most of main characters i've loved for entire series. That will be my last Vorkosigan series, whatever Bujold would write in the future. Actually I wish if I finished reading the series before Cryoburn.

...especially for those with high public profiles. Cordelia Vorkosigan always wanted a large family. At 76, she finally has the chance. Oliver Jole always thought he would live out his career in the military. Now he has another option.

Cordelia is a strong woman. In this novel Cordelia pulls herself together after her husband's death. She explores a new relationship and re-establishes her relationship with her adult son Miles. The emotional weight of the novel centers around Miles and Cordelia negotiating a new respectful relationship between two adults. She finishes her job as a ruler on Sergyar, and plans her new life as a biologist.

This author delights in creating fun new characters. Bujold throws in ominous hints about a Cetagandan threat to the Barrayarian Empire. While some reviewers have commented on the epilogue feel to this book, I agree with others that it could be a wonderful lead into another story!

Three stars and no more is because I am disappointed in the plot twists: I mourn the loss of Aral (and some of his prudishly honorable reputation); I regret Cordelia not embracing a grandmother's role to fulfill her maternal instincts; I am dismayed by the physical limitations Miles shows. I bow to the author's ability to write her own truth.