Margarete
Margarete asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

Sorry if you've answered this before but every time I read Barrayar (more than 5 times at this point) it pops into my head: are all the "I didn't vote for him" comments about Steady Freddie just a running joke for you, an inside joke among Betans or a side hint that their society isn't as democratically perfect as it seems? Or something else entirely? Thanks so much for the amazing books!

Lois McMaster Bujold
Yes to all three -- running gag, inside joke among at least the Survey types, and no, Beta isn't nearly as perfect as some Betans would have outsiders believe -- plus an effect of my living through many decades of American democracy.

Ta, L.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more