Andrew
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
What does the Chef Recommend with regards to Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen fitting into a story arc? Would someone who has already read (or re-read) the Vorkosigan Saga refresh on Cordelia books, Miles books, both, or neither?
Lois McMaster Bujold
I am the person least qualified to answer this, I suspect. A recent reviewer suggested the two Cordelia books followed by Gentleman Jole would make a good trilogy, and I concur, whether as refreshment or first-read. Prior references to Jole are scattered in The Vor Game, Cryoburn (brief -- four words -- but extremely significant, if one thinks about it), and Captain Vorpatril's Alliance, but I'm not sure they're necessary.
But -- I say again, probably fruitlessly -- Gentleman Jole is also readable as a stand-alone, complete in this kit, batteries included. A reader doesn't have to have read any other Vorkosigan book, or, indeed, any other Bujold book, to read this one.
(The two reasons to turn aside are if said new reader is planning to read the others, and doesn't want spoilers (although there would still be plenty of surprises), or if the reader is one of those strongly averse to finding romance in their SF.)
So, short version: stand-alone, or the Cordelia Trilogy.
Ta, L.
I am the person least qualified to answer this, I suspect. A recent reviewer suggested the two Cordelia books followed by Gentleman Jole would make a good trilogy, and I concur, whether as refreshment or first-read. Prior references to Jole are scattered in The Vor Game, Cryoburn (brief -- four words -- but extremely significant, if one thinks about it), and Captain Vorpatril's Alliance, but I'm not sure they're necessary.
But -- I say again, probably fruitlessly -- Gentleman Jole is also readable as a stand-alone, complete in this kit, batteries included. A reader doesn't have to have read any other Vorkosigan book, or, indeed, any other Bujold book, to read this one.
(The two reasons to turn aside are if said new reader is planning to read the others, and doesn't want spoilers (although there would still be plenty of surprises), or if the reader is one of those strongly averse to finding romance in their SF.)
So, short version: stand-alone, or the Cordelia Trilogy.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Craig H
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Probably greatly to your relief, space restrictions here limit the amateurish paean I would otherwise like to write to your talent. Anyway, after my latest reread, I liked that the less pressured pace of Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen let us get to know one of the best characters ever in more depth Do you think your muse will feature Cordelia in a sequel? Less a question than expressing hope. No reply necessary.
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