The…I guess fourth book (if taken in internal chronological order, which is not the same as publication order but is how Bujold recommends reading them) in the classic space opera series, the Vorkosigan Saga. Originally published in the ’80s. It is the first book to centre the character whom I believe is the protagonist from this point on, Miles Vorkosigan. Didn’t like him much at first – too much arrogant young man energy. But that powers this book’s dynamic, which involves him getting himself into ever-greater messes and somehow each time, through a mix of luck, audacity, and brilliance, successfully making it through, albeit with great losses along the way and lots of learning. It is exciting and fast-paced, and it ends up making him likeable. In terms of representation, Miles is disabled and from a very overtly ableist planet, though he is from that planet’s hereditary ruling class and son of one of its most powerful leaders. I appreciate how matter-of-factly his disability is treated in the story, though I wonder if the book perhaps falls into what I’ve heard described as the “supercrip” trope, where superhuman capacity in other areas leads to overcoming any and all obstacles related to disability – I’d be interested in hearing thoughts from those with a better analysis in that area than me. Overall, the story is fun and has just the right amount of over-the-topness.
Originally posted by Scott on Goodreads.