AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Barrayar
Title: Barrayar
Author: Lois McMaster Bujold
Audiobook Narrator: Grover Gardner
Series: Vorkosigan Saga
The following review has some spoilers for the first book in the Vorkosigan Saga, Shards of Honor. There are no real spoilers for Barrayar.
Born and raised on Beta Colony, Cordelia Naismith has since become the Lady Vorkosigan of the planet Barrayar. Cordelia struggles to adjust to the strict class system, and outdated gender roles of her new home, but her real challenge will come from her husband's, Aral Vorkosigan's, role as Regent. Not everyone is fond of the Regency, resulting in attempts on Aral's life. But when one of these attempts impacts their unborn child, Cordelia will find herself fighting against both friend and foe to protect her son.
Earlier this year, I read Shards of Honor, the first book in the Vorkosigan Saga to star Cordelia Naismith (now Vorkosigan). Although I did end up enjoying the book, and really liked Cordelia as a protagonist, I felt the story was a little uneven. Apparently, this was just a symptom of being an early work by Bujold, as Barrayar is actually really a really impressive work. This is primarily due to the strengths of its characters. Cordelia is the most appealing when she's at her most tenacious. Put into a situation where she must fight for her son's life, against seemingly impossible odds, and it becomes so easy to cheer her on. The relationship with Aral remains sweet, but this time around it's not quite as important as the connection she shares with other characters. One of these relationships is between her in Sargent Bothari, a dangerous man used as a tool for rape and torture in Shards of Honor, just as much a victim as a villain. Bothari has has had these memories erased form his mind, but he still knows that something horrible has happened to him. It will be up to Cordelia to help him find some peace.
Barrayar also possesses some really neat world building. I must admit that it almost didn't feel like reading a science fiction book at times. Yes, there are futuristic weapons and technology, but the caste system on Barrayar actually feels old fashioned even from a 21st century perspective. Their dislike for the disabled is an example of this. We see poor treatment of both the mentally disabled with Bothari, as well as the physically disabled with Koudelka, also a returning character from Shards of Honor. This theme becomes increasingly important as the book continues.
Thoughts on the Audiobook: As with Shards of Honor, Grover Gardner narrates the audiobook version of Barrayar. I actually found I preferred his performance here with Barrayar. Perhaps he's getting more used to the characters now. Not an astounding performance, but still pretty good.
Final Thoughts: I am really surprised at how much I ended up loving this book. I got attached to the characters right away, and I really enjoyed getting to explore the complex world of Barrayar. Bujold's writing style is no nonsense and straightforward, and the quick pace pulls you right in. There's even a nice bit of romance too. If you, like me, read Shards of Honor and ended up finding it a little uneven, I would certaintly recommend continuing with Barrayar. This book has won both the Hugo and Locus awards, on top of being nominiated for a Nebula, and I can see certainly see why. Five Stars
Author: Lois McMaster Bujold
Audiobook Narrator: Grover Gardner
Series: Vorkosigan Saga
The following review has some spoilers for the first book in the Vorkosigan Saga, Shards of Honor. There are no real spoilers for Barrayar.
Born and raised on Beta Colony, Cordelia Naismith has since become the Lady Vorkosigan of the planet Barrayar. Cordelia struggles to adjust to the strict class system, and outdated gender roles of her new home, but her real challenge will come from her husband's, Aral Vorkosigan's, role as Regent. Not everyone is fond of the Regency, resulting in attempts on Aral's life. But when one of these attempts impacts their unborn child, Cordelia will find herself fighting against both friend and foe to protect her son.
Earlier this year, I read Shards of Honor, the first book in the Vorkosigan Saga to star Cordelia Naismith (now Vorkosigan). Although I did end up enjoying the book, and really liked Cordelia as a protagonist, I felt the story was a little uneven. Apparently, this was just a symptom of being an early work by Bujold, as Barrayar is actually really a really impressive work. This is primarily due to the strengths of its characters. Cordelia is the most appealing when she's at her most tenacious. Put into a situation where she must fight for her son's life, against seemingly impossible odds, and it becomes so easy to cheer her on. The relationship with Aral remains sweet, but this time around it's not quite as important as the connection she shares with other characters. One of these relationships is between her in Sargent Bothari, a dangerous man used as a tool for rape and torture in Shards of Honor, just as much a victim as a villain. Bothari has has had these memories erased form his mind, but he still knows that something horrible has happened to him. It will be up to Cordelia to help him find some peace.
Barrayar also possesses some really neat world building. I must admit that it almost didn't feel like reading a science fiction book at times. Yes, there are futuristic weapons and technology, but the caste system on Barrayar actually feels old fashioned even from a 21st century perspective. Their dislike for the disabled is an example of this. We see poor treatment of both the mentally disabled with Bothari, as well as the physically disabled with Koudelka, also a returning character from Shards of Honor. This theme becomes increasingly important as the book continues.
Thoughts on the Audiobook: As with Shards of Honor, Grover Gardner narrates the audiobook version of Barrayar. I actually found I preferred his performance here with Barrayar. Perhaps he's getting more used to the characters now. Not an astounding performance, but still pretty good.
Final Thoughts: I am really surprised at how much I ended up loving this book. I got attached to the characters right away, and I really enjoyed getting to explore the complex world of Barrayar. Bujold's writing style is no nonsense and straightforward, and the quick pace pulls you right in. There's even a nice bit of romance too. If you, like me, read Shards of Honor and ended up finding it a little uneven, I would certaintly recommend continuing with Barrayar. This book has won both the Hugo and Locus awards, on top of being nominiated for a Nebula, and I can see certainly see why. Five Stars