Science Fiction Aficionados discussion
Series Read: The Vorkosigan Saga
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Anything else out there like this?
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Snarktastic Sonja
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Jun 05, 2014 04:32PM

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I haven't read it (and so I'm pretty unsure about the humor), but I have heard from many corners that the adventures of Honor Harrington are nearly as good. the first book in the long-running series is On Basilisk Station

There is the "Alex Benedict" novels from Jack McDevitt.
Similarities: A main character Miles vs Alex, Both are genius that solve problems, each has a ship that roams the galaxy, some humor.
Differences: Alex does not have a family background, Miles does, Mile is a Mercinary, Alex is an Archeologist.
However, I like the Alex Benedict series more than the Vorkosigan series.




are you not a fan of the Vorkosigan saga? or is it just not funny to you? personally I don't consider it a comic series, although it does have its many amusing moments.

I like the Vorkosigan series. Not enough to read it entire, but I have read perhaps three of the titles and enjoyed them to varying degrees averaging four stars.
I don't know if you have ever met Ms. Bujold. I have, sort of. I attended a somewhat small and lengthy talk she and John Ringo held at a Dragon Con a few years back and asked a couple questions at it. Ringo the entire time was sickeningly sychophantic towards Bujold, and I have no idea why. Was he trying to get laid? I've seldom seen anyone kiss ass so long, so hard, and so obviously. I haven't read a work of his since then.
Anyway, to Bujold's credit, she acted unaffected by the endless flattery. Bujold talked of her body of work, especially the Vorkosigan saga, openly and honestly. She struck me as a likable person of considerable intellect, but she was serious, somewhat cold, rather distant--maybe it would be fairer to say instead that she was highly formal--both to her audience and Ringo. (If you're going to make it to first base with her, you're going to have to slide, John.) Still, she listened carefully to audience questions and gave complete answers, which was kind of her.
I don't mean to imply she is humorlessly serious by any means. She is straight on, means what she says, and did not strike me as subtle, or layered. Serious, I think, is Bujold's default. I am not sure how or why anyone would try to attach humor as an attribute of her work, or personality, but I would not. I don't mean this in a negative way. Bujold just has higher (or completely different) priorities than being funny.

ah, Memory. one of my favorites. along with Mirror Dance and Shards of Honour. such a fantastic series!

this was wonderful. her answers are so insightful and really gave me a glimpse of who she is as a person and not just an author. thanks Kirsten!

There is the "Alex Benedict" novels from Jack McDevitt.
Similarities: A main character Miles vs Alex, Both are genius that solve problems, each has a ship ..."
Although I have not read Bujold, I second this recommendation as I love McDevitt's books.
Alex does have some family background that comes into play in the latest book.

Books mentioned in this topic
Memory (other topics)A Stainless Steel Rat Is Born (other topics)
Hero of the Imperium (other topics)
On Basilisk Station (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jack McDevitt (other topics)Harry Harrison (other topics)
Sandy Mitchell (other topics)
Jerry Pournelle (other topics)
Dorothy Dunnett (other topics)
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