extra book goal 2025: Lois McMaster Bujold & Jane Austen

[silverflight8]

I didn't set out to do this, but I accidentally ended up reading the majority of Lois McMaster Bujold's novels this year. I read all 16 Vorkosigan novels plus all the short stories (though not Dreamweaver's Dilemma since it's not really canon). I also read both Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls. With the exception of one novel (Gentleman Jole & the Red Queen), I had fun reading everything, and overall her work has given me so much joy and happiness this year.

It was also the 250th birthday of Jane Austen on December 16th. In consequence I also read all of her novels, including two I had not read before: Emma and Lady Susan. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees, and hopefully will get round to more written down thoughts, but what struck me most is the difference in how I felt about Mansfield Park. I first read it around age 16, and I hated it so much. In the intervening time I think I also merged it with some of my feelings from Jane Eyre (which I do like) and the scenes from Lowood. But this time many of the elements like Fanny Price's meekness did not bother me nearly so much, and I did enjoy a lot of it. I think it's a combination of being prepared, a much higher tolerance of maddening characters, and also a taste for difficult female protagonists.

Comments

[hamsterwoman]

With the exception of one novel (Gentleman Jole & the Red Queen), I had fun reading everything,

Yeah, GJatRQ makes me sad, because it's just so clearly not on the level of the other Vorkosigan books. I'm happy The Flowers of Vashnoi is the actual last book published in the series, because at least I can respect that one.

But also yay for all the Bujold! She is one of my favorite writers, and I love the Vorkosigan Series, and really enjoy (most of) Five Gods/Chalion-verse books.

P.S. I'm not sure if you saw in my recent post that I got your card with the adorable little warbler -- thank you! <33

[silverflight8]

Yeah I objected first to the characterization (so many things I just reacted to as They Would Never, and I wasn't a reader that started in the 90s and read along - I read them all at once in a row!) and also didn't really engage in deeper emotional stuff to give it weight, nor did it have other fun things to distract...I agree about Flowers of Vashnoi and thought that novella, short as it is, was much more satisfying.

However having said that I am so glad I finally read Bujold!! My god I've been missing out. So many of her novels were really truly excellent in every way.

I did!! I haven't been commenting much as I have been away from keyboard but yay! So glad you got it safely!