Web Amici

by **KesAFloyd** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:10 pm

Interesting that we have no forum specifically dedicated to books. We have Harry Potter and movies. Hmmm...

Anyway, I've started reading this interesting science fiction book series by Lois McMaster Bujold. The general name for the series is the Vorkosigan Saga, as it focuses on the protagonist Miles Vorkosigan. Miles is a classic hyperactive hero who manages to get himself into and out of incredible scrapes. He comes from an aristocratic background, and his father is prime minister of his home planet. Before Miles was born, someone tried to assassinate his father with some kind of poison compound, and his mother was hit as well. Consequently, Miles stands 4'9" and has brittle bones. He has spent the majority of his manic military career (which his father's great influence got him into) fast-talking his way out of tangles, and when that has failed, fighting and breaking parts of his body.

I jumped into the middle of the series because I heard the earlier books were not as strong, and so I started reading the "Miles Errant" anthology. This collection of previously-published volumes focuses on Miles's relationship with a clone brother Mark who was raised to kill their father, but who ultimately ends up killing his creator instead. The story is fascinating because it depicts Mile's home planet, Barrayar from the point of view of an outsider--Mark, who was created illegally but who may have a claim to the family inheritance if something happens to Miles. The book explores the younger generation of Barrayarans: Miles, his cousin "Ivan you idiot", and Mark, all of whom are not particularly interested in inheriting the weight of a centuries-old, backward, feudal, sexist, violent, bloody oligarchy that seems about to land on their shoulders.