Review. Barryar
Review. Barryar
Yet another Miles Vorkosigan novel. Except this one does not feature Miles as an active protagonist.
This is the story of how Miles came to be crippled with short stature and brittle bones.
It is a story alluded to throughout the rest of the series, so it is good to be able to read the entire tale.
Whereas the majority of the other books in the series are told from Miles's viewpoint, this one is told through the eyes of Miles's mother.
In Cordelia, an offworlder, Bujold has the opportunity to show Barryaran society and history from a new perspective. On many occasions, Cordelia can be heard to say that all Baryarans are mad, but Bujold takes us further and shows us why.
As ever, her observations are poignant and valid to whatever (Western based), society one lives in.
The story kicks off with Cordelia arriving on Barryar. Recently married to Aral Vorkosigan, everything is strange.
The situation developes with the realisation that the Barrayaran emperor is about to die with no heir old enough to take the reins.
Aral Vorkosigan is chosen to act as regent in the interim, which starts a number of plot elements in motion.
It is not giving too much away to state that a number of Vor lords would prefer not to have a regent, not to have a Vorkosigan as a regent and some would rather not have an emperor at all.
In addition the Cetagandan Empire would like to make something of the instability in Barrayaran politics at this time.
The story proceeds at a furious pace culminating in a civil war, an ideal vehicle to show characters at their best and at their worst...
And characters is what Bujold is best at.
There are six or seven main characters in this tale, all of them fleshed out, believable and sympathetic. Even the minor characters have moods, ambitions and motives.
Recomended.
