Vorkosigan 11 -- Komarr--note--numbers are OUR reading order only

[Kateblue, 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning]

Comments about Komarr--don't forget spoiler tags!

[Allan]

I’m at 58% and moving fast! Another solid caper.

[Kateblue, 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning]

When I first read this one, I didn't like it much, but later, I decided it is one of my favorites. There is so much to love about it, and it is so well paced.

My problem, I think, initially, was that (seriously, don't read this spoiler before you read the book)(view spoiler)[ I didn't buy into the way Ekaterin wonders about and is attracted to Miles' body. Though I love Miles, and though Bujold tries to make that aspect believable, and though I think you can love a physically imperfect man with all your heart, I just couldn't buy into that part of it. The mental blithering in the subway car after they were dunked in the lake, for example. Though I loved the aftermath of that, and Miles' eureka moment, I just didn't quit buy the physical attraction bit (hide spoiler)] Therefore, my suspension of disbelief was a little bit weakened the first time I read the book.

Still, love these books the mostest!

[Allan]

I haven’t noticed anything in the 60% I’ve read that would mess up my suspension of disbelief. There are much worse coincidences in the early books that would do that!

[Kateblue, 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning]

Allan wrote: "I haven’t noticed anything in the 60% I’ve read that would mess up my suspension of disbelief. There are much worse coincidences in the early books that would do that!"

After you are done, read my spoiler and see what you thing. Maybe you will see where I am coming from.

[Nick]

Kateblue, I completely agree!

Miles is very loveable but (view spoiler)[the books have been telling us all this time that he's short, crooked, skinny, and altogether funny-looking. It's weird for Ekaterin to be getting all fluttery over him in a wet shirt before she's had a chance to get to know him. (hide spoiler)]

[Kateblue, 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning]

Nick wrote: "Kateblue, I completely agree!

Miles is very loveable but [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I think that even though she is fascinated by him because of (view spoiler)[his apparent ability to ignore his "mutations," the fact that she thinks she is dead below the waist after years of Tien should prevent the interest she is already showing. (hide spoiler)]

I think anyway!

[Nick]

Oh yes, that's a good point too, (view spoiler)[why would she feel instalust for him if her libido is non-existent?

If I squint at it, I think I can twist that round into a justification for her feelings: maybe Ekaterin has been suppressing her sexuality for so long that all it takes is a single conversation with a polite and intelligent man for her to suddenly erupt! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Eva]

I understood her interest more in terms of (view spoiler)[her naturally being a romantic, passionate person capable of falling in love, but not having enjoyed any physical sex with her husband. Lots of women have romantic feelings but have never had partners that made them actually enjoy sex. I know a few myself, and they certainly have this combination of intact libido/romantic interest mixed with zero interest in actual sex or the conviction that it will simply never be fun for them. (hide spoiler)]

[Antti]

I thought it was more because (view spoiler)[Tien had been so insanely jealous that this was the first time in ten years Ekaterin saw ANY male half-naked in the flesh, and that was rather exciting to her. That, combined with Miles' charming demeanor, worked to kindle some long-dormant lustful feelings inside her.

But yeah, I agree it was a bit of a stretch. (hide spoiler)]

[Antti]

I loved the depiction of the Vorsoissons' subtly abusive marriage. I have the misfortune of having some experience being in this kind of relationship, and LMB catches perfectly all the little things how a verbally and mentally abusive partner can leave you a wreck, self-doubting and second-guessing everything, deeply unhappy but unable to even concieve you could have the right to a better life.

[Nick]

Yes, same, I thought it was very well written!

[Kateblue, 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning]

Antti wrote: "I loved the depiction of the Vorsoissons' subtly abusive marriage. I have the misfortune of having some experience being in this kind of relationship, and LMB catches perfectly all the little thing..."

I am so hoping that your misfortune no longer exists. Man! My heart goes out to you.

[Antti]

Kate: Luckily it was ages ago,when I was much younger. I found my own "Vorkosigan" after that and have been very happily married for a decade now.

[Kateblue, 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning]

Second marriage and very happy for years, here, too! I know it is off the subject, but my daughter thinks it's the funniest thing ever . . . my first husband said that he "was on vacation from himself" when we met and married. Oh yeah!

[Nick]

Kateblue wrote: "my first husband said that he "was on vacation from himself" when we met and married. Oh yeah!"

Ouch!

Glad that you're both in happy relationships now!

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Just finished. Loved it. LMB is the queen on writing touchy subjects flawlessly. I mean, seriously, to introduce a romantic heroine who's a victim of domestic abuse and portray that abuse in such a realistic way was something I doubt many writers could pull off. I also find the way she writes strong feminine characters. Nothing ridiculous but she makes it clear that none of these women are waiting for men to save them. (Albeit Ekaterin took a bit longer to come to this conclusion than, say, Cordelia.)

I totally disagree about the spoiler. I don't think she was (view spoiler)[lusting over naked Miles (hide spoiler)] but more showing a curiosity to know if he was (view spoiler)[functioning normally below the belt (hide spoiler)] and she was embarrassed that she'd done that. I also loved her line about whether or not sex would be better if she truly liked her partner. This was a great example of 'friends to lovers' romance and being attracted to someone for reasons other than strictly looks. (Which is why most modern romances are crap because physical attraction is usually the first and only reason their couples get together.)

I think if I would question Miles's other lovers' reasons for their interest before Ekaterin's. Ellie was turned on by him because he was an authority figure? Taura was a classic hurt/comfort trope. And Rowan's interest was... experimental or therapeutic?

It's also been stated that Miles's back has been corrected and, although he's still short and heavily scarred, I don't think he's as deformed as he was early in the series. Many many people become blind to any sort of physical imperfection though when they 'see' the person underneath. Miles is doing his best to make her laugh, support her dreams, engage her in intelligent conversation, and endear himself to her relatives. I don't think there's anything unrealistic about her becoming attracted to someone like that.

It's also feasible to think that after an abusive relationship, a woman could quite easily be attracted to someone who is less physically intimidating. This might, in fact, work to a disadvantage for poor Miles - Ekaterin might begin to think that she's only attracted to Miles because he's 'safe'.

[Joe]

Back on the horse... while I liked the book... definitely a page turner and a good space mystery... I didn't love Ekaterin.

She's too perfect for Miles... the chance of him running into her on his first mission out, and 'saving' her, and falling so quickly for him? Probably the biggest random coincidence of all.

Not sure I'm looking forward to a book or two of courting. We'll see.

[Kateblue, 2nd star to the right and straight on til morning]

Joe--The next book, A Civil Campaign, has many subplots and is not just about courting. It's my favorite on days when Memory is not.

After you have read it, I will tell you what I don't like about it.

Also, I never really warmed to Ekaterin, either. I'm not sure why.