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lauriesand82's review
3.0
First, and most glaring, is the issue that has been discussed at length by other reviewers: the revelation that Aral and Cordelia's relationship was of a different nature than we all assumed and expected. I'll admit, I don't like it. It does not feel believable to me, based on my understanding of the characters, and I'm pretty sure that quirk was added only to liven up the otherwise plodding story of two older adults falling for each other. Less obvious, but also disappointing, is the writing itself. It presents a simulacrum of her earlier work, but the witticisms are mostly either forced or are "internal cliches" recycled from prior novels. I have admired Bujold's writing for having a "transparent" quality that allows the reader to feel immersed in the story. I did not feel immersed in this book. My final complaint: the book goes absolutely nowhere, with no conflict, mystery, tragedy, or noticeable growth for any of the characters.
However, I do think that "Gentleman Jole", "Cryoburn", and, to some extent, "Captain Vorpatril's Alliance" can be taken together and interpretted as an irritated yet tongue-in-cheek message from Bujold to her publishers and fans. First, in Cryoburn, we encounter a Miles who is settled into his job and takes no risks with himself. He spends most of his time wishing he was at home with his wife and kids. He's phoning it in at this point. Then, in Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (chronologically earlier but written after Cryoburn), Ivan and Tej share the refrain of "Why can't I just be an average person and lay on a beach sipping fruity drinks?" And ultimately are granted their wish! To cap off the trifecta, in Gentleman Jole Cordelia actually states, "I've given 40 years to Barrayar. The next 40 are mine." The whole message of Gentleman Jole is basically "I get that you feel like you know me, but in fact I am my own complex and evolving person, and it is not my job to stay the same just to make you more comfortable."
So, Lois, I think you got the job done this time. For your sake, I fervently hope nobody makes you write another Vorkosigan novel ever again. Cheers!
However, I do think that "Gentleman Jole", "Cryoburn", and, to some extent, "Captain Vorpatril's Alliance" can be taken together and interpretted as an irritated yet tongue-in-cheek message from Bujold to her publishers and fans. First, in Cryoburn, we encounter a Miles who is settled into his job and takes no risks with himself. He spends most of his time wishing he was at home with his wife and kids. He's phoning it in at this point. Then, in Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (chronologically earlier but written after Cryoburn), Ivan and Tej share the refrain of "Why can't I just be an average person and lay on a beach sipping fruity drinks?" And ultimately are granted their wish! To cap off the trifecta, in Gentleman Jole Cordelia actually states, "I've given 40 years to Barrayar. The next 40 are mine." The whole message of Gentleman Jole is basically "I get that you feel like you know me, but in fact I am my own complex and evolving person, and it is not my job to stay the same just to make you more comfortable."
So, Lois, I think you got the job done this time. For your sake, I fervently hope nobody makes you write another Vorkosigan novel ever again. Cheers!
janetlun's review
I am incapable of "reviewing" this book. I can't stand outside it an analyze. I just sank happily in the Vorkosigan world and enjoyed it immensely.
This is a very different book than one of the early Miles ones, where it's all derring-do. This is the mature Cordelia making decisions about how to live the rest of her life. There are conflicts, of course, and tough decisions to make. And it's very, very funny.
This is a very different book than one of the early Miles ones, where it's all derring-do. This is the mature Cordelia making decisions about how to live the rest of her life. There are conflicts, of course, and tough decisions to make. And it's very, very funny.
leons1701's review
3.0
Bujold seems to be on a bit more of a comic turn with her last two Vorkosigan books being the excellent Captain Vorpatril's Alliance and then this. While certainly not the crazy antics of CVA (much less A Civil Campaign) there's definitely a light touch of humor throughout most of the book, which is really a look at how people go on after the loss of a loved one, especially one who was a Great Man. Also of course a look at "Second Acts" (or in the case of Cordelia, something more like third or fourth acts). But of course there's also general drunken mayhem, crooked contractors, teenage rebellion (or at least sullenness), discovering uncomfortable truths about one's parents, and some musing on how the uterine replicator tech changes the whole idea of parenthood. (Mild spoiler: Miles gets a sister).
Bujold's dropped the chronological jumping around from the middle parts of the series and continues things from after Aral's death and the birth of Miles children. Miles is mostly offstage here, the center of the book is firmly on Cordelia and Admiral Jole. There's been some muttering of "retcon" over their prior relationship, but I don't care, nothing here contradicts anything previously published and we already knew enough about both Aral and Cordelia to not really be surprised. And since almost all the previous books were from the viewpoint of Miles, who didn't know, we didn't either. No big deal.
Bujold's dropped the chronological jumping around from the middle parts of the series and continues things from after Aral's death and the birth of Miles children. Miles is mostly offstage here, the center of the book is firmly on Cordelia and Admiral Jole. There's been some muttering of "retcon" over their prior relationship, but I don't care, nothing here contradicts anything previously published and we already knew enough about both Aral and Cordelia to not really be surprised. And since almost all the previous books were from the viewpoint of Miles, who didn't know, we didn't either. No big deal.
kreylix's review
1.0
Made it half way through and not just incredibly boring, but there's no plot whatsoever. Unlike her last novel in this series, a very fun romp, this is her worst novel. How did the publisher, Baen Books, not send this book back for rewrite?
for_every_helen's review
3.0
Half-arsedly executed poly. To be honest, would have preferred a novella about how Aral, Jole and Cordelia originally got it together and gave Simon a migraine.
bbnut45's review
1.0
Disappointed as it was not like any other books of this series that I have read so far. Other than some strange creatures on planet, it should not even be science fiction. There was no action in the book as it was entirely about deciding upon having children or not and love between mature adults. Finished only because thought eventually something had to happen.
susanscribs's review
4.0
I've seen several reviews from die-hard Vorkosigan fans crying foul that Lois McMaster Bujold is ret-conning the relationship between Aral and Cordelia and betraying the series' integrity. As a casual reader of the series, I don't have such serious loyalty to Vorkosigan canon. I found this book to be a charming, beautiful reflection on grief, aging, love and parenting. The plot is heavy on relationships and light on swashbuckling action, but it is still filled with trademark Bujold humor and wisdom. And what a pleasure to read about a sexual relationship between two adults of a mature age that isn't played for laughs.
Yes, Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen provides a different perspective on the relationship between Aral and Cordelia that began in Shards of Honor and that may make some readers uncomfortable. But watching Cordelia find happiness again (not to mention having a glimpse of Miles Vorkosigan's bewilderment at being father of six) is a very satisfying experience.
Yes, Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen provides a different perspective on the relationship between Aral and Cordelia that began in Shards of Honor and that may make some readers uncomfortable. But watching Cordelia find happiness again (not to mention having a glimpse of Miles Vorkosigan's bewilderment at being father of six) is a very satisfying experience.
rhodered's review
2.0
I was so happy to be back in Cordelia's story. Miles is fine - so clever and adventure prone - but Cordelia is the best thing about the Barrayer books to my mind. And Admiral Oliver Jole is a nice enough with enough talent, intelligence and hidden depths to be worthy of her. So, joy about the leads. But...this is a disappointing book.
In part, I think it's because I am a fan of romance. However, romance is not Bujold's true strength. There's just something a little too distant, calm and even clinical about her romantic writing. I find myself loving the characters so much, as well as the worlds they inhabit, and yearning for their romantic connections, but when it comes, it just feels...a little cold.
Secondly, the book has way too many fragments of back story. We are constantly being told bits of history from the past books, I presume so new readers and forgetful ones can understand the world the current plot takes place in. However, this continual past story telling distracts from the current plot so much that in effect it often feels as though that's all that's going on. And it's hard to have an emotional connection with summarized stories of the past.
The book also shares too many random bits of new back stories for current characters. For example, on page 153 we get details on Cordelia's assistant's back story. If this were a 600 page book and we needed the story to set the stage for a main plot that was just getting started, that would be ok. But it's a 339 page book, so the plot is already well underway and this back story has little relevance to it. The character has no real role to play moving forward.
Most of all, I felt cheated because the biggest chunk of back story - the 23 year history between Aral, Cordelia and Oliver, is sketchily summarized and tossed in the book so matter of factly that I assumed it was a relationship we had already explored in depth in past book I had forgotten about. It read like a reminder, not new information to the series. I had re-read the series just last year, so I knew better, but still I went online and poked around at plot summaries for all the past books looking and looking for it. What a disappointment!
The plot as a whole also confused me a bit. First we are dealing with a new romantic entanglement but, just as we begin to dig into it, wham bang Miles and his entire family come bashing in and they then interrupt much of the rest of the story. I wanted to slam the door in his face. Really, honestly, I have had ENOUGH of Miles. This was supposed to be Cordelia's turn!
Then we have a sub-plot (or is it meant to be the main plot?) about Oliver deciding what he wants to do next with his life. The answer is so obvious that it's a bit like a murder mystery where everyone knows whodunnit immediately. But fine, I was willing to go through his deliberations with him because I like him...except we kept on getting interrupted by back story, Miles, Mile's children, you name it... When Oliver at last announces his decision, it's startling because we've been so distracted that we lost track of where his head was. In fact we don't get to see inside his head at that moment anyway, we just see Miles (not Cordelia!) being the very first to hear his decision.
So, no plot never really digs in. In fact it felt more like a diary of day to day life than a plot. And I certainly don't feel like I know Cordelia any better, or that she changed or grew or resolved anything internally. She just kinda gamely stuck around through stuff. I know Olivier better sure, but I wasn't allowed to fully emotionally connect with or focus on him, so it didn't really pay off.
Bujold's giving interviews about this book telling fans it's far less adventure driven than past books in the series. The thing is, I'm fine with no big adventure. I'm fine with a calmer plot line. What I'm not fine with is no in-depth plot to hook into at all. I kept waiting for the 'real' plot to start. For the author to commit emotionally to something besides people's interactions with Miles. But she didn't...and then the book, which was fairly pleasant otherwise, just dribbled out of pages.
I think the problem is that Miles, not Aral, is the big giant oak in this story. He chokes out the sun for everything else. If Bujold had killed him off and then started a plot three years later, she might have had something new growing.
P.s. WTF is up with Emperor Gregor??? Why did he try to throw not one but two spokes in Cordelia's hopes, and why is this never addressed by anyone whatsoever?
In part, I think it's because I am a fan of romance. However, romance is not Bujold's true strength. There's just something a little too distant, calm and even clinical about her romantic writing. I find myself loving the characters so much, as well as the worlds they inhabit, and yearning for their romantic connections, but when it comes, it just feels...a little cold.
Secondly, the book has way too many fragments of back story. We are constantly being told bits of history from the past books, I presume so new readers and forgetful ones can understand the world the current plot takes place in. However, this continual past story telling distracts from the current plot so much that in effect it often feels as though that's all that's going on. And it's hard to have an emotional connection with summarized stories of the past.
The book also shares too many random bits of new back stories for current characters. For example, on page 153 we get details on Cordelia's assistant's back story. If this were a 600 page book and we needed the story to set the stage for a main plot that was just getting started, that would be ok. But it's a 339 page book, so the plot is already well underway and this back story has little relevance to it. The character has no real role to play moving forward.
Most of all, I felt cheated because the biggest chunk of back story - the 23 year history between Aral, Cordelia and Oliver, is sketchily summarized and tossed in the book so matter of factly that I assumed it was a relationship we had already explored in depth in past book I had forgotten about. It read like a reminder, not new information to the series. I had re-read the series just last year, so I knew better, but still I went online and poked around at plot summaries for all the past books looking and looking for it. What a disappointment!
The plot as a whole also confused me a bit. First we are dealing with a new romantic entanglement but, just as we begin to dig into it, wham bang Miles and his entire family come bashing in and they then interrupt much of the rest of the story. I wanted to slam the door in his face. Really, honestly, I have had ENOUGH of Miles. This was supposed to be Cordelia's turn!
Then we have a sub-plot (or is it meant to be the main plot?) about Oliver deciding what he wants to do next with his life. The answer is so obvious that it's a bit like a murder mystery where everyone knows whodunnit immediately. But fine, I was willing to go through his deliberations with him because I like him...except we kept on getting interrupted by back story, Miles, Mile's children, you name it... When Oliver at last announces his decision, it's startling because we've been so distracted that we lost track of where his head was. In fact we don't get to see inside his head at that moment anyway, we just see Miles (not Cordelia!) being the very first to hear his decision.
So, no plot never really digs in. In fact it felt more like a diary of day to day life than a plot. And I certainly don't feel like I know Cordelia any better, or that she changed or grew or resolved anything internally. She just kinda gamely stuck around through stuff. I know Olivier better sure, but I wasn't allowed to fully emotionally connect with or focus on him, so it didn't really pay off.
Bujold's giving interviews about this book telling fans it's far less adventure driven than past books in the series. The thing is, I'm fine with no big adventure. I'm fine with a calmer plot line. What I'm not fine with is no in-depth plot to hook into at all. I kept waiting for the 'real' plot to start. For the author to commit emotionally to something besides people's interactions with Miles. But she didn't...and then the book, which was fairly pleasant otherwise, just dribbled out of pages.
I think the problem is that Miles, not Aral, is the big giant oak in this story. He chokes out the sun for everything else. If Bujold had killed him off and then started a plot three years later, she might have had something new growing.
P.s. WTF is up with Emperor Gregor??? Why did he try to throw not one but two spokes in Cordelia's hopes, and why is this never addressed by anyone whatsoever?
therewithal's review
3.0
I was looking forward to another Cordelia-centric book, and I liked the romance aspect of it, and it was all right, but I wasn't as into the fact that all the characters are now super-focused on babies and parenting.
satyridae's review
5.0
I loved this book. Finally, a new Cordelia book! And what a delightful thing it was, to see her embracing her new life. This one played hard to all my prejudices, and alluded to so many of my favorite scenes from earlier books. There were multiple times I had my suspicions confirmed, and more times I was surprised and elated by events as they unfolded. I find that Bujold has a knack for making her characters appear to change in big sweeps, but when you look closely and analyze the trajectory, you realize the bent was there all along and the character is absolutely true to type. Bujold's writing continues to enchant me, touch me and make me shout with laughter. Don't start with this one, by any means, but DO read Bujold as soon as you can possibly manage.