Miles, Mystery & Mayhem [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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Yet another of Baen's reprint editions, this one including Cetaganda, Ethan of Athos, and the story "Labyrinth" from Borders of Infinity. These stories are less thematically connected than is usually the case with these omnibus volumes. For one thing, Ethan of Athos is one of Bujold's earliest works (and certainly the most controversial), while Cetaganda, which is earlier in terms of internal chronology, and in fact contains the event which leads directly to the action in Ethan of Athos, is a much later and more mature work. "Labyrinth" is not directly connected to either of the other works, and in fact would make more sense being bound together with Mirror Dance, but these reprint volumes stick to internal chronology, rather than following themes. (For that reason, they make an excellent way to collect Bujold's complete works, if some time behind the dates of initial publication. I keep hoping that Baen will eventually offer a complete set in a slip case.)

Cetaganda occurs not long after the events in Young Miles. Miles is sent, somewhat to his discomfort, to a state funeral on Cetaganda, a rival empire against which he had waged war in his alter ego role of Admiral Naismith. He has no orders beyond a general instruction to "stay out of trouble!" But, of course, being Miles, he can't. Part of the trouble he gets into leads directly to the trouble in Ethan of Athos, in which Miles' protegé Elli Quinn tracks down a biological puzzle Miles comes across in Cetaganda. What makes it controversial is that the title character comes from a planet inhabited only by men. (One of the technologies in Bujold's universe, the uterine replicator, allows the in vitro gestation of fetuses, which, among other things, allows the development of the quaddies in Falling Free and the continued existence of a world without women.) Many people have called Ethan of Athos "gay" fiction, because many of the men on Athos still act out their sexual desires, only with one another. However, my reading of the work is as an examination (in so far as the homosexuality is discussed at all) of homosexuality as a form of misogyny. In any case, misogyny, rather than homosexuality, is clearly the driving force in Athosian culture. (Along similar lines, some have asked if there is a women-only planet, as the opposite of Athos. But to me, the opposite of Athos has already been described. People tend to find diversity threatening, and two of the dysfunctional strategies for trying to avoid diversity are either to drive out those who are different, which is the case on Athos, or to remove the distinction itself, which is the case with Beta Colony's hermaphrodites.) "Labyrinth" shows Miles doing what he loves best: rescuing captives.

Lois is in my opinion one of the best artists in the world of literature. The way she weaves the tapestry in a combination of storyline locations and characters is like watching a magician on stage linking the rings and then cutting the woman in half and then flying off the stage to rescue the maden...wait a minute, thats what Miles(Bujold's best Character) does best.
Her books are simply must reads for any fan of Science Fiction or Fantasy.
Steve

As these are reprints, they are of little interest to those already fans and collectors of the series. However, these two novels and one novella provide a good and varied introduction.

CASTAGANDA, the first novel, is a light-hearted science-fiction/mystery with Miles and his cousin. Humor, adventure, and intrigue combine for a delightful reading experience.

ETHAN OF ATHOS is a departure in that Miles is referred to but not in the story. Homophobes may have trouble with it, because the title character is from an all-male planet based on a monastic type of life-style, a planet where women are forbidden and as a result of generations on a "men only" world are also mistrusted and misunderstood.

"Labyrinth" is a novella again featuring Miles in an adventure.

The common link here is the author's interest in synthetic birth. This theme dates back to Aldous Huxley's BRAVE NEW WORLD, but here Bujold examines the subject from three different perspectives. These are fun stories and quite recommended.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Bujold has done it again!
Here's the third compilation in the Vorkosigan saga. That's right folks, it's a compilation. NOT a new book. Love it anyway! Read more

Published on Jun 11 2003 by Empyreal

1.0 out of 5 stars Miles, Mystery & Mayhem
I only wish I knew that Cetaganda, Ethan of Ethos, and Labyrinth were in this collection! I already have all three of those and was looking for new material. Read more

Published on Oct 18 2002 by Brooke R. Bruner

1.0 out of 5 stars Yet another "omnibus" rip-off
I am a voracious fan of fantasy and science fiction, so when a new title by an author as good as Ms. Read more

Published on April 17 2002 by Owen Hershey

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift Idea
Yes, it's a reprint. With all due respect, "duh." Ms. Bujold's works, *especially* the new ones, don't just "appear. Read more

Published on Dec 13 2001 by Lynore M. Belzer-Tonnessen

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd love 6 different copies of everything she's written!
I know this book is merely a compilation reprint of some of Ms. Bujold's work... I've known that for months, found out at her official website(... Read more

Published on Dec 4 2001 by J. Jordan

1.0 out of 5 stars Reprint, what a disapointment
I to was disapointed to find that this book was a compliation of previously printed works. I thought I was buying a "new" book which I was very thrilled about, only to read the... Read more

Published on Dec 2 2001 by B. Weckerly

5.0 out of 5 stars So It's Earlier Stuff That's Already Been Printed. So WHAT?
This is the 3rd installment of reprints that combine Vorkosigan stories: this one containing -Cetaganda-, -Ethan of Athos- & the novella "Labyrinth". Read more

Published on Nov 27 2001 by Samanda b Jeude

1.0 out of 5 stars Recycled stories
STOP -- before you buy this volume -- IT IS NOT NEW -- and yes I realize that I am shouting in e-speak. Read more

Published on Nov 20 2001

1.0 out of 5 stars Recycled stories
STOP -- before you buy this volume -- IT IS NOT NEW -- and yes I realize that I am shouting in e-speak. Read more

Published on Nov 20 2001

3.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER compilation
Lois Bujold is an AMAZING writer! Set me down with one of her stories and I'll ignore most all of my responsibilities to continue reading until it ends! Read more

Published on Nov 19 2001 by dochubert

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