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A review by lisagoe
Miles, Mystery, and Mayhem by Lois McMaster Bujold
5.0
This omnibus contains 3 novels: Cetaganda, Ethan of Athos, and Labyrinth. First, let us say that these are some of the best books I've ever read. Bujold creates stories that are action packed but affecting and I'm a little worried about how I'll manage once I work my way through the series. These three stories are linked by gender concerns: Cetaganda is a planet where the dynastic dna of the ruling class is managed like a bonsai tree, clipped and pruned into a work of art. Ethan of Athos is about a man who is charged with solving the reproductive challenges faced by an all male planet. Labyrinth is about what makes us human focusing on sex, monstrosity and compassion. All three stories packed an emotional punch for different reasons.
The power politics in Cetaganda were fascinating, although the main character's need to prove himself in conventional ways is more extreme here. The mystery mirrored the unfolding of the society where the story is set.
Ethos of Athens starts with a lot of default stereotypes: the character comes from an all male planet, where women are reviled, so doesn't know how to deal with women when he first meets them. People's reactions to finding out he's from Athos are often homophobic, but that develops nuance as the story progresses as well. At its heart, it's the story of a guy who's always tried to do the right thing finally coming into his own.
Labyrinth is harder to describe without giving away the plot. It's set on a world where the limits of genetic manipulation are defined by the reach of your purse. There are some interesting political machinations and a metaphorical Minotaur. It hits hard and unexpectedly and it was this story more than the other two even that made me want to read a feminist critique of Bujold's work.
My sense is that, like the character of Miles' mother, Bujold survived by carving out space for herself in a very patriarchal, male dominated world. Her publisher, Baen, considers itself a bastion of traditional sci-fi, even, so that level of the politics interests me too. All speculation aside though, there's a lot in here to unpack as well as fantastic storytelling. Cannot recommend highly enough.
The power politics in Cetaganda were fascinating, although the main character's need to prove himself in conventional ways is more extreme here. The mystery mirrored the unfolding of the society where the story is set.
Ethos of Athens starts with a lot of default stereotypes: the character comes from an all male planet, where women are reviled, so doesn't know how to deal with women when he first meets them. People's reactions to finding out he's from Athos are often homophobic, but that develops nuance as the story progresses as well. At its heart, it's the story of a guy who's always tried to do the right thing finally coming into his own.
Labyrinth is harder to describe without giving away the plot. It's set on a world where the limits of genetic manipulation are defined by the reach of your purse. There are some interesting political machinations and a metaphorical Minotaur. It hits hard and unexpectedly and it was this story more than the other two even that made me want to read a feminist critique of Bujold's work.
My sense is that, like the character of Miles' mother, Bujold survived by carving out space for herself in a very patriarchal, male dominated world. Her publisher, Baen, considers itself a bastion of traditional sci-fi, even, so that level of the politics interests me too. All speculation aside though, there's a lot in here to unpack as well as fantastic storytelling. Cannot recommend highly enough.