Cetaganda

A Miles Vorkosigan Novel (Miles Vorsokigan, Book 9)

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

When the Cetagandan empress dies, Miles Vorkosigan and his cousin Ivan are sent to Cetaganda for her funeral as diplomatic representatives of Barrayar. Upon arrival, the two men are inexplicably attacked by a servant of the late empress. When the same servant turns up dead the next day, Miles and Ivan find themselves in the middle of a mystery.

Miles tries to play detective in a strange, complicated, and deceptively alien culture, while lascivious Ivan manages to get himself involved with several noble females at the same time, a diplomatic no-no of the first order. As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that it's up to Miles to save the empire.

With her usual skill, Bujold addresses timeless issues of human identity through the personal dramas of her characters.

©1996 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Set in a vividly realized world where Machiavellian intrigues are played out behind a facade of aristocratic discretion, this novel, like its predecessors, blends high adventure with wry commentary on the seemingly unbridgeable gulf between human ideals and political realities." (Publishers Weekly)

"[Even] readers who normally eschew science fiction will delight in Bujold's intriguing plots, appealing characters, and wry humor." (Library Journal)

"As witty and well-handled as is usual for Bujold....In the wake of Bujold's new Hugo, even greater swarms of readers will flock to this book and swell even more the number of her fans, which is only what she richly deserves." (Booklist)

Old favorites...

Love this author and the narrator, I'm a 20 year veteran fan of this series. Worth the money to get myself an audio copy to go with my hardcover collection. Lois is funny, accurate and as always, startlingly deep. Her work has aged exceedingly well over the decades because she addresses not so much the hard and fast engineering side of science fiction as the deeper social impacts of technology. Would you have a kid using your own body if you had a safer, saner technological option? What impact would that have on society, to uncouple sex from reproduction even farther than hormonal birth control has in the past half century? What about the impact of a two century lifespan on the family structure? She studies the impact of this and many other potential technologies in her works. Forewarned is four-armed, Quaddie pun entirely intended.

Another interesting world in Vorkosigan universe

The Vorkosigan books are possibly my favorite spec fic series of all time. I’ve listened to this a few times now and I’m still trying to work out the rules for haut succession. Includes Bujold’s usual interesting world building, plotting, characters and sly humor.

Lady bubbles

Any additional comments?

Another great book. In this installment, Miles and Ivan go on a diplomatic mission to Cetaganda and Miles gets into trouble and Miles gets Ivan into trouble. This is a great addition to the Vorkosigan Saga. And I think my favorite line in the book is, '...van-like space clearly designed for the lady-bubbles.' Want to know what this means? Listen to the book.

Miles is at it again!

I've read this once before. But as I had recently been going through the Vorkosigan books on audiobook, I thought I'd get this one too. Reading (or listening) after I've gone through the previous 4 really made it stand out even more.

Not the best of the series that I've read so far, but still it stands out as a fun read. I continually really enjoy how there can be such varied cultures all from the same source. But of course humanity has such varied cultures on Earth, too.

Wonderfully Whitty look socio-political structure

Though this is not nearly my favorite book in the series, it is still exceptional. Bujold is a genius at relaying interpersonal interaction and personal growth in her characters while maintaining a firm grip on their human weaknesses. Like the others in the series, this book sets a darkly funny ambiance.

There is a fantastic change in perspective of the Cetagandans that happens in this book. In the end you don't particullarly love them more, but at least you understand them better and gain a healthy respect of their culture. Some aspects of their society are reminiscent of ancient Japan; the focus on perfection and beauty, the feudal structure surrounding the ruling and military casts, the deceptive power structure, the elitism within the race, and the hidden culture within the culture. I don't know if the conections are incidental or if Bujold intended them, but they add another level of interest to the story.

Ultimately, this is another great story in a string of them from this author.

Technically, Grover Gardner is a competant performer of audio books. He is consistent in his voices and he makes no regular or obvious mistakes. I don't prefer the timber of his voice personally, but eventually you get used to it.

It's a Miles Vorkosigan murder mystery

This is one of McMaster-Bujold's lesser works for sure. However, I have come to notice that she is such a formidable writer that even her lesser works wipe the floor with most sf that get written these days.

Anyway, this story is a refreshing sidestep from the earlier space opera(ish) saga. Novel is a bit of an anomaly, and it places our protagonist in the role of a detective sleuth, who gets entagled in a complicated powerplay within the ranks of a former enemy state.

This is a deeper look at the Cetagandan society and its complications and quirks. Interesting enough of itself to justify this novel. I think it may have been meant as a start to a series of books, but fell a bit flat.

The story has a few too many characters in it to make it easy to follow. This is the one gripe I have with Bujold's writing: she introduces a vast array of characters that aren't memorable or distinct enough to tell apart. Doesn't help that they all keep some title like Vor (read Von, Van, Af etc.) in the name to further muddy the waters.

Which Vorwhatever was this guy again? Same goes With the Cetagandan Bas, Hautes and whathaveyous.

But. The dialogue is snappy, witty and funny. Plus the mystery is interesting enough to make this worth your while. And who knows, maybe we'll hear more about Cetagandans at some point.

interesting world

reads more like a mystery than the other books in the series. intrigue of the culture is well drawn and Bujold's usual wit is fun and well applied. but not my favorite so far, so 4 of 5

Wonderfully engaging space opera

One of the most enchanting installments in Miles's adventures...how I adore him, flaws and all. Cetaganda is superbly built for us mere mortal readers. This must be my seventh, ninth reading? Who knows! I am very happy with the plot, creative setting and, especially, the characters. I love Grover Gardner's narration. He has that amazing ability to lull us into focusing on the content, rather than his voice.

Miles does it again!

Lois McMaster Bujold is a genius in her own right!
Her Vorkosigan Saga is one of my favorites

Another brilliant entry from Bujold.

Cetaganda is an amazing exploration of transhumanism and genetic manipulation on an empire scale.