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silverflight8I 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.
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.
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Date: Dec. 31st, 2025 11:11 pm (UTC)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!