S&L Podcast - #488 - Barrayar Your Sword
/Some great books in the Seiun Awards in Japan, why Sword and Laser is good for your heart, we kick off the May pick, and finally wrap up our thoughts on the surprising complexity and depth of the awesome Cordelia's Honor.
WHAT ARE WE NOMMING?
Tom: Chicken Tacos
Veronica: Mac and Cheese Burger
QUICK BURNS
John (Taloni) - Gail Carriger has decided to enlighten us on just what Cozy means.
Tamahome: The Witcher is ending with season 5 on Netflix
crochetchrisie📚 —Seanan McGuire will publish more Toby daye and incryptid books at tor.
BARE YOUR SWORD
terpkristin: Thank you guys for helping make my cardio workout less tedious. I mostly listen to podcasts while making short drives around town and at the gym. Longer walks and drives (and flights) are usually for audiobooks. This last 2 weeks I've made execptions to that but generally that's my bookishness. I also read with my eyes often while eating lunch and before bed. Finally back into Cordelia's Honor and still enjoying it, even if there are difficult scenes and if I didn't vote for it. ;)
"Misti - I'm all in for Emily Wilde for next month's pick. I don't mind if the runner-up book (or even a book further down in the voting order) gets picked, especially if it's something I think I'd like to read anyway. One of my favorite things about March Madness is getting introduced to books I haven't heard about and adding them to my TBR list.
What would be on a Sword and Laser Bingo card?
BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION
Brief Kick Off
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
WRAP UP (Spoilery)
Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
BethMitcham
It’s a great way to examine attitudes towards childbearing/parenting, what are the hidden costs and who we expect to bear them. Although this aspect of things gets more attention in Ethan of Athos.
Barrayar is more about how parenting changes us, the vulnerability of having children."
Sean
Literally just finished.
I'll admit that I like Barrayar more than Shards. I feel like it has a more coherent plot-line, and Cordelia is less on the periphery of events, which is the general vibe I got in Shards.
I also really liked the epilogue, even if I could see where it was going almost immediately. Part of me honestly thinks I should go on with the series."
John Nevets
Just Finished listening to the two books back to back. Most of that was done in driving back and forth from where I went for the eclipse. I liked them both. I have read 3 ( I think) of Miles'es books, and liked those as well. Cordelia was only briefly in those. But it was interesting seeing how much of her is also in Miles character and personality. Always looking for a creative solution to things, and yet curious as a cat. And willing to lead from the front if necessary.
I also found that these books reminded me more of the contemporary space opera, political/ military sci-fi books that are out there Like C. J. Cherryh's Foreigner series, or David Weber's Honor Harrington series, and so where I'm guessing even some of Jack Campbell took some inspiration for his Lost Fleet series. I guess all of these have probably drawn at least some inspiration from the old Patrick O'Brian British Navy books, and the Horatio Hornblower books."
Been
I just finished this last night and thoroughly enjoyed it and how it continues from the first book to portray disability as something to accept and adapt to rather than pity or just hide away. I especially liked that they didn't just ignore it either, and had some strong opposing views which were pushed back on rather token thoughts which were quickly dismissed.
I don't know what experience the author has with disability, but I continue to be surprised at how well this series handles things consider it was started in the 80s.
I've seen that most of the series (aside from the very next book) are also free on audible, so I'll be continuing to read the series for a little while at least. Keen to see where Miles story goes after this."
ADDENDUMS
Our show is currently entirely funded by our patrons. Thank you to all the folks who back our show and if you would like to support the show that way head to patreon.com/swordandlaser
You can also support the show by buying books through our links! Find links to the books we talk about and some of our favorites at swordandlaser.com/picks
