Science Fiction Aficionados discussion

September's book for our ongoing Vorkosigan Saga series read is the omnibus Borders of Infinity. this collection includes the novellas "Labyrinth", "Mountains of Mourning", and "Borders of Infinity" and is tied to together with an untitled framing story featuring Miles and Simon Illyan.

sorry for the delay in starting this topic! but I'm afraid that I've been a bit behind in my reading of the series. still in the middle of Ethan of Athos!

regarding the book, I've read "Mountains of Mourning". I thought it was excellent. such a thoughtful novella, quite different in tone than the more colorful novels featuring Miles and the more romantic & sometimes more action-packed novels featuring Cordelia.

Mountains of Mourning really impressed me with its sensitivity and depth. I was reminded in a way of Bujold's wonderful and equally mournful fantasy novel The Curse of Chalion.

It will be another two weeks before I Start this one also. Not positive but I think I have read this book many years ago. Will find out soon. How ever the titles alone are "non plausibility topics": Labyrinth - an impossible maze, Can mountains really morn?, does infinity really have a border?. My first thoughts already.

Fall is canning season for me. Knee deep in tomatoes, was pickling cucumbers and soon apples. So at night before I doze off I try to read a chapter or two of something. I have not watched a tv show in months, but winter will soon be here for new Doctor Who shows, probably the only show I watch these days. Then back to Spring and summer for gardening. My yearly retirement routine with a dash of Science Fiction in between.

I read this one out of order because of the recommendation in another discussion that the story "Mountains of Mourning" should be read before the Vor Games. I thought these stories were excellent and provided some real insight into Miles.

Linda, I really liked reading Mountains of Mourning before The Vor Game. sorta filled in a blank there.

Mickey, I admire and am rather envious of your lifestyle!

I think each of these novellas is a tiny masterpiece. Being smaller, they might fit into your evening routine, Mickey.

Alexa wrote: "I think each of these novellas is a tiny masterpiece. Being smaller, they might fit into your evening routine, Mickey."

I hope so. I know myself well. Every morning is my physical going, cooking, cleaning, exercise and gardening. The afternoon for is the best time for reading, studying or anything in which the mind is most alert. At night before bed I am usually wiped out physically and mentally. I tried to read some before bedtime, but often keep dozing of, the head bounce sleeply thing. Lately canning is afternoon gig. When canning is over, I will start to fly, science fiction, math and physics (Winter has arrived, yes!).

I also finished "Mountains of Mourning" some weeks back. But I'm reading the other two (finished Labyrinth and half way through Borders). This is my favorite so far.

I do believe that this was the first Miles book I ever read, many moons ago now; it was so good I've read everything else since.

For me Miles really grew into his character in these Stories. He seemed more confident and sure of himself. There were moments of weakness but they seemed fleeting. I am beginning to see a formula to the plots, which I guess in inevitable in a long series, but I don't really mind because I'm still surprised at the solutions he comes with.

what formula are you seeing, Banner?

Well the way Miles seems to rush into a delicate situation with the feeling that "right" is on his side (like in Cetaganda when they were first attached he decided to keep it quite even though it could get him in trouble). He gets himself into messes because he is doing what he thinks is right and manages to pull off a miracle in the end.

I agree

That's a key element of Mile's character and is sure to get him in trouble in the end.

Yep, I can tell you there's some serious trouble coming up ahead. Which is one reason why "Borders of Infinity" is one of my favorites. It's sort of the last gasp of the innocent, sure-he-is-always-right Miles (and it has a pretty horrific ending). The mastery of the way everything falls into place in the end, and the utter cluelessness of the reader as to what is really going on (at least this reader was totally clueless upon first reading it) created a brilliant story for me. And then there's the sweetness of "Labyrinth!"

Alexa I am already looking forward to continuing with the series and now you just heightened my curiosity.

Besides thinking he is right (and he IS awfully smart) Miles has such a deep desire to prove himself. I think that desire is equally responsible for getting him into trouble.

yes, and I think the 'cost analysis' framework put on these stories reminds one of the human costs as well.

I just finished the story "Borders of Infinity" - right before its due date. not sure if I will get to "Labyrinth".

sad to say, I thought the superb "Mountains of Mourning" really blew Borders away. Borders is enjoyable enough, I liked it, but I thought the ideas behind it were a lot more interesting than the actual execution. it seemed rushed and the obstacles were all too easily surmounted by genius Miles. still, it was great seeing Miles again after missing him in Ethan of Athos. and those two deaths at the end of the tale were shocking and certainly drove Bujold's point home.

While "Mountains of Mourning" is very moving, and shows Miles' love of his region, "Borders of Infinity" is one of my favorite Miles stories. It really highlights the essential Miles, naked and with his best resource; a genius for personnel. I think that is why the ending is so moving, because he not only chooses those personnel as cogs in the machinery. He also *becomes* part of that machinery and is emotionally invested in each and every piece.