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ellianderjoy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Classism
shibosan's review
5.0
Заглянул в комментарии к книге на флибусте - такая канонада от взрывающихся седалищ, что просто страшно. Впрочем, чего там - в первый раз открыв роман, и я его отбросил с негодованием, пусть и по другим причинам.
Ну правда, это был неожиданный шаг - персонажам, которые на протяжение десятка предыдущих книг, от юности до старости практически, были недосягаемым образцом счастливой любви, понимания и моногамного брака, заретконить длившиеся на протяжении доброй половины этого времени полиаморные отношения, по сути тройственный брак.
Но если отбросить или принять эту деталь, то книга оказывается очень уютной, хотя и сильно отличающейся от прочих частей цикла. Даже в "Гражданской кампании", посвященной отношениям и сватовству, не обошлось без расследований и политических интриг. Машинально ожидаешь чего-то и от "Джентльмена Джоула", фиксируешь развешанные ружья (а точнее то, что тебе кажется ими) и ждешь, как же они выстрелят в концовке, но стрелять нечему - это просто приятная история о зрелых людях, которые находят способы смириться с потерей, начать новую страницу в истории своей жизни и обсуждать непростые вопросы. И никаких злодеев, хитроумных преступлений и сногсшибательных приключений.
Ну правда, это был неожиданный шаг - персонажам, которые на протяжение десятка предыдущих книг, от юности до старости практически, были недосягаемым образцом счастливой любви, понимания и моногамного брака, заретконить длившиеся на протяжении доброй половины этого времени полиаморные отношения, по сути тройственный брак.
Но если отбросить или принять эту деталь, то книга оказывается очень уютной, хотя и сильно отличающейся от прочих частей цикла. Даже в "Гражданской кампании", посвященной отношениям и сватовству, не обошлось без расследований и политических интриг. Машинально ожидаешь чего-то и от "Джентльмена Джоула", фиксируешь развешанные ружья (а точнее то, что тебе кажется ими) и ждешь, как же они выстрелят в концовке, но стрелять нечему - это просто приятная история о зрелых людях, которые находят способы смириться с потерей, начать новую страницу в истории своей жизни и обсуждать непростые вопросы. И никаких злодеев, хитроумных преступлений и сногсшибательных приключений.
botanicals's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
caedocyon's review
3.0
I didn't mind that this was slow and domestic, but it's a drastic tone change from every other Vorkosigan book, which range from "energetic" to "madcap."
(mild spoilers from here on)
It's also more conventionally heterosexual than you would believe that a novel about two members of a poly triad reconnecting years after the death of the third person could be. I actually prefer Dira Sudis' (fanfic) version of how Aral and Jole got together; their story is almost completely omitted from Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, on the basis that Jole doesn't want to go into it with Cordelia and she respects that. Like, ok, fine, but it comes off as a cop-out instead of an exploration of boundaries within a poly relationship.
The only boundaries that actually get pushed are the futuristic possibilities (biological, social, and legal) for reproduction. I've long suspected that this is a special interest of Bujold's. Still... I would have liked to actually see some of the conflicts and awkward social situations play out, instead of having to be satisfied with Cordelia and Jole discussing how they might handle theoretical issues.
(mild spoilers from here on)
It's also more conventionally heterosexual than you would believe that a novel about two members of a poly triad reconnecting years after the death of the third person could be. I actually prefer Dira Sudis' (fanfic) version of how Aral and Jole got together; their story is almost completely omitted from Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, on the basis that Jole doesn't want to go into it with Cordelia and she respects that. Like, ok, fine, but it comes off as a cop-out instead of an exploration of boundaries within a poly relationship.
The only boundaries that actually get pushed are the futuristic possibilities (biological, social, and legal) for reproduction. I've long suspected that this is a special interest of Bujold's. Still... I would have liked to actually see some of the conflicts and awkward social situations play out, instead of having to be satisfied with Cordelia and Jole discussing how they might handle theoretical issues.
tehani's review against another edition
5.0
*sigh* It's all over once again. I really do wonder if we'll get any more in the Saga. There are all those baby Vorkosigans running around now…
tehani's review
5.0
Oh my gosh this was AMAZING! I had no idea what to expect, other than that it was a Cordelia-focussed novel and so every single thing that happened surprised and delighted me. I don't want this to be a spoilery review, because it is an advance copy and the book isn't properly out until early 2016, but I have to say a few things!
Bujold is one of the singularly most readable authors I have ever come across, and it's always a struggle to put the darn thing down, and I had to argue stringently with myself not to go back and start rereading very book in the series again because of all the beautiful callbacks to past events sprinkled throughout the story.
One of the (many) things I adore about the Vorkosigan saga is the clever way Bujold uses genre conventions - while every book is science fiction (or space opera, if you will), almost every single one sits gorgeously in another genre as well. Crime, romance, detective, mystery, comedy of manners, nothing is too removed from the SF that Bujold can't incorporate it! With this book, I could sit it as a mature contemporary romance (there is probably a better, more specific, designation, but I haven't read enough romance in recent years to know what it is!) and it's wonderful.
I love that we get Miles and his family, but they are not the focus. I love that it has beautifully domestic scale (by comparison to others in the series, particularly). And I love the characters, the emotional resonance, and the relationships we see.
And it was so very, very hard not to go immediately to my bookshelves and start back at the beginning again. Once you've read the book too, you'll know why!!!
Bujold is one of the singularly most readable authors I have ever come across, and it's always a struggle to put the darn thing down, and I had to argue stringently with myself not to go back and start rereading very book in the series again because of all the beautiful callbacks to past events sprinkled throughout the story.
One of the (many) things I adore about the Vorkosigan saga is the clever way Bujold uses genre conventions - while every book is science fiction (or space opera, if you will), almost every single one sits gorgeously in another genre as well. Crime, romance, detective, mystery, comedy of manners, nothing is too removed from the SF that Bujold can't incorporate it! With this book, I could sit it as a mature contemporary romance (there is probably a better, more specific, designation, but I haven't read enough romance in recent years to know what it is!) and it's wonderful.
I love that we get Miles and his family, but they are not the focus. I love that it has beautifully domestic scale (by comparison to others in the series, particularly). And I love the characters, the emotional resonance, and the relationships we see.
And it was so very, very hard not to go immediately to my bookshelves and start back at the beginning again. Once you've read the book too, you'll know why!!!
pelicaaan's review
2.0
I'll always be a fan of this author, and this was generally enjoyable. But - there's not enough plot for this many pages. Felt padded and slow.
titusfortner's review against another edition
3.0
I had the hardest time finishing this book. It pretty much has no plot, and character driven plot is mostly what I love about Bujold. There was no tension or excitement to make me want to read the following page.
So why not two stars... I've had several discussions on the importance of this book. The protagonist is a 78 year old woman planning to have children. The story gives details of the sexual history of a highly beloved character from the series. Neither of these things seem particularly newsworthy to me, but perhaps that is an indication that I am more progressive than many readers of this book. The book didn't challenge my biases, and that's partly why I find it boring.
To the people upset about the big reveal of Aral's bisexuality and previously private sexual history: why the fuss? If that knowledge had a huge impact on your views of this character, then I think you have some serious issues to work through, anyway.
So, this book wasn't for me, but the backlash to it is an important social discussion, and I applaud Bujold for writing this book.
So why not two stars... I've had several discussions on the importance of this book. The protagonist is a 78 year old woman planning to have children. The story gives details of the sexual history of a highly beloved character from the series. Neither of these things seem particularly newsworthy to me, but perhaps that is an indication that I am more progressive than many readers of this book. The book didn't challenge my biases, and that's partly why I find it boring.
To the people upset about the big reveal of Aral's bisexuality and previously private sexual history: why the fuss? If that knowledge had a huge impact on your views of this character, then I think you have some serious issues to work through, anyway.
So, this book wasn't for me, but the backlash to it is an important social discussion, and I applaud Bujold for writing this book.
khrystalynne's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
krisedu's review
2.0
I was so disappointed in this book that read more like a fanfic than an actual part of the Vorkorsigan saga. I think the author got self-indulgent and preachy with the themes. It felt like this book was a way for her to wrestle with some personal issues rather than the strong character-driven plots of most of the rest of the series.