Brilliant idea, FP. That would be fun to read. Especially if he and Rish developed really deep feelings for each other
I agree with the character-defining moment you described, as well.
And also teaches us more about that individual’s personality. That whole incident is not only funny, but also hints at Ivan’s character - he’s got a sense of duty, he’s generous, and he’s kind - he devotes time and effort to satisfying the ghem-women, with no pay off for him - and, he’s not nearly as dumb as he seems.
I don’t think Ivan is inherently stupid. It’s just that he’s coasted through most of his life. He uses just enough intelligence to make things easy for himself and never seeks out any challenges. On the few occasions when he has tried to put in a little extra effort and shine, the result has been he’s raised expectations and made more work for himself. He avoids this partly because he’d rather relax - he’s not driven like Miles or Mark or Gregor - and also because he’s been aware for most of his life that if he entered the spotlight, he’d become a figure of political intrigue.
I get the picture that Ivan is especially averse to the prospect of [my bolding above], because being a figure of political intrigue close to the Imperial Throne of Barrayar, can be highly life-endangering. He thus goes to considerable lengths to generally keep a low profile. I recall that re this trait of Ivan’s, at one point in the books Aral describes him in his absence, as “the invisible average man”.
Aral also observed that Ivan exhibited these traits in early childhood - long before he would have been aware of the politics going on around him. So it seems to be a natural trait that was reinforced as Ivan grew up and realized its usefulness.
Finished Cetaganda. I enjoyed it quite a bit, though it was a bit off the beaten track. Miles’ ability to manipulate his superiors never ceases to amaze/impress me. Cetaganda is also a really interesting culture. It looks on its surface to be patriarchal but you come away at the end feeling like it’s a society propped up by one mutually agreed upon mass delusion. Everyone has a vital role to play.
Am I correct that haut Rian gave Miles a lock of her hair? After it was established that haut never cut their hair?
On to Ethan of Athos.
[QUOTE=Little Nemo]
and also because he’s been aware for most of his life that if he entered the spotlight, he’d become a figure of political intrigue.
[/QUOTE]
His father was killed before he was born by political intrigue, indirectly; he may have gotten at least a vague idea that anything political = bad at a very early age.
I don’t think this is a real spoiler, but in a later book, a character is explaining to another that Ivan, were he to stand out, would inevitably become a magnet for political intrigue. So he maintains a “distinctly nonferrous lifestyle”. Ivan elsewhere says that he doesn’t ever want to put his family or loved ones in danger. I’m sure his father’s death, and Miles’ birth defects, have instilled in him a instinct to keep his head down.
On the other hand, when called for, Ivan can kick ass: “I thought you were just a desk pilot, Ivan.” “But it’s a Barrayaran desk.”
I was up until 4am finishing Ethan of Athos and I thought it was beautiful. I got a little choked up at the end. This might be my favorite book so far.
Bujold could have made it so gimmicky and stupid, like having Ethan fall in love with Quinn or something, but I like how the story honored Ethan’s culture instead of dismantling it, but how Ethan nonetheless walked away with a more open mind. And I’m glad he got his happy ending with Cee.
Also, to learn that Quinn loves Miles makes perfect sense. I thought we might be seeing her again because there was no way his kindness to her in Warrior’s Apprentice couldn’t make an impact. Her respect for him feels 100% authentic. Now I am of course hoping to see them both in the same story.
Glad you liked it. I also liked Ethan’s speech to Milisor about how Milisor could have won it all if he had asked for Ethan’s help instead of kidnapping him.
P.S. When you get to Brothers in Arms, you’ll like it.
And yeah, throwing my support on the “I like Ivan” pile. He’s not dumb - just not as absurdly smart and compulsively driven as Miles. I resonates with me a lot, because uh… I have some sympathy for people who are willing to coast. >.>
‘‘Borders of Infinity’’ - just finished Labyrinth.
Took me a moment to get the title… Taura… in the maze of the air ducts… I do love how
Jackson’s Whole is freaky as all hell, but I like getting more of the universe filled in. More evidence of Miles’ utter brilliance, how easily he played Fell against his half-brother.
Dom is still reading Shards of Honor and was commenting how he keeps thinking of Barrayarans as aliens. This led to a discussion of how there are no alien races in the Vorkosiverse (at least not to the point I’ve read) but she nonetheless creates these very compelling diverse races of human and there is no end to the sci-fi weirdness possibilities nonetheless.
The frame story around this novella collection is pretty lame, but the stories themselves are great.
