Any Lois McMaster Bujold fans around for a chat about her books?

[UnaOfStormhold]

I discovered yesterday that there's a new Penric and Desdemona novella out (Knot of Shadows) - I really enjoyed it as I have the whole series, but as she is self-publishing these books in ebook form there's not much fanfare when they come out so I thought there might be other fans of hers who had missed it too. Penric has to be one of the sunniest characters I've ever met in a book, and always a delight to read about.

I agree about Gentleman Jole! It some ways it even had a Chalet School vibe with all those hordes of kids. I kept expecting an outcome from all those hints about concrete stockpiling and having to move the capital city away from the volcano - but it was all domestic felicity in wilderness isolation

There is some excellent fanfic about Byerly Vorrutyer by atrain - very funny and perceptive

@Copperas I agree, I'm not generally into fanfic but the By perspective on Captain Vorpatril's Alliance was very enjoyable.

@TeaAndStrumpets I have just finished Venetia which I very much enjoyed. I can see the links to Civil Campaign - particularly to Ekaterin's comments on the topic of orgies which have a lot in common with Venetia's. And yes, that scene in the summerhouse did very much come to mind! Must give Cotillion a try next...

Agree Gentleman Jole is my least favourite of the Vorkosigan books. More wish fulfillment than plot. Which is a shame, as Miles is one of my favourite literary heroes.

So pleased you enjoyed Venetia, Una!

It is hard to choose a favourite Heyer, she was very prolific. Some of them are linked ie These Old Shades etc. All fab!

I always see a bit of Lord Peter Wimsey in Miles, too....and also The Prisoner of Zenda for that touch of Ruritania

Btw agree Gentleman Jole not the finest, but half a loaf etc....

@TeaAndStrumpets

Btw agree Gentleman Jole not the finest, but half a loaf etc....

Absolutely. One of Bujold's less good books is still a good read.

Cool how true that is. At the forefront of this novel are some old favourites having a happy ending. In the background there is plenty going on, including how crucial it is to civilisation to have PLUMBERS

Another aspect I marvel at is the portrayal of Barrayar as it changes over the course of a generation, from cavalry to spaceships. The rebuilding alone is phenomenal, a new society rising from the old. New attitudes to procreation among the rich, now they can outsource the inconvenient bits. But of course human nature is the main focus of these novels. So many wonderful creations to choose from, but I think Bothari is my favourite.

Her best characters are all flawed, or damaged, in some way. Bothari seems to be seeking redemption through service. And surely less evil than the men in green silk rooms.

I remember reading about uterine replicators while in the third trimester with severe jealousy. (I love the way that Cordelia's sister in law is smug about doing it "the natural way" even on Beta - because of course there would be people feeling exactly that way.)

I was interested that they enabled a second chance for otherwise rejected babies. I imagine decanting the unwanted baby and moving on with your life would be less upsetting than going to full term and giving a baby to adoptive parents? I wonder if abortion would be seen as a waste of a valuable resource. The war orphans were indeed innocent bystanders.

The replicators would be very popular on Barrayar, with their history and fear of mutations.