Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen

The Miles Vorkosigan Adventures, Book 17

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan returns to the planet that changed her destiny in a new novel by multiple New York Times best-selling author Lois McMaster Bujold.

Future imperfect: Three years after her famous husband's death, Cordelia Vorkosigan, widowed vicereine of Sergyar, stands ready to spin her life in a new direction. Oliver Jole, admiral, Sergyar Fleet, finds himself caught up in her web of plans in ways he'd never imagined, bringing him to an unexpected crossroads in his life. Meanwhile, Miles Vorkosigan, one of Emperor Gregor's key investigators, this time dispatches himself on a mission of inquiry into a mystery he never anticipated - his own mother.

Plans, wills, and expectations collide in this sparkling science fiction social comedy as the impact of galactic technology on the range of the possible changes all the old rules, and Miles learns that not only is the future not what he expects - neither is the past.

©2015 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Almost a prequel, hopefully

Lois McMaster Bujold's latest Vorkosigan saga takes place on Sergyar three years after the death of Aral. While Miles makes an entrance, the tale is focused on his mother Cordelia who is in the process of transitioning out of running the planet with plans to retire and raise a crop of daughters. Beyond the routine administrivia of managing a bureaucracy and some minor political infighting, she also reignites with an old fling that provides some interesting background on Aral. There is little to no suspense, other than a possible job offer, possibly something brewing with Cetaganda, and has the feel of a setup for future adventures with Miles and his mother.

The sci-fi elements are all the well established conditions of the Vorkosigan universe. Instead of action and suspense, the story is a more intimate portrait of mid to late life struggles of coming to terms with diminished impact on the larger universe and merely hoping to positively impact near space. We can only hope that Bujold is simply setting the stage for a new set of adventures involving Miles, his mother, and growing supporting cast of new sisters and half brothers.

The narration is as usual excellent. Grover Gardner is among the masters with a solid range of voices for both genders and solid pacing. One particular talent is the ability to inflect his voice to convey thought versus speech with the characters.

I love all of LMBs books

This one is one I listen to over and over. It’s not full of action and adventure but I enjoy that Cordelia finds happiness and stumps Miles.

Love this author

No matter how many times I listen to Lois’s stories, they still make me laugh out loud and occasionally cry.

Thks, Bujold. She didn't leave Cordelia hanging.

Would you listen to Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen again? Why?

I have several times.

What other book might you compare Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen to and why?

This is my number 3 book after Civil Campaign and Captain Vorpatril's Alliance. Not as madcap, but definitely satisfying.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Cordelia's Betan voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did. Loved it.

Any additional comments?

Bujold has several different subseries in this larger series and this is book 3 in one of them. See the comment above.

Nice but......

It was like coming home again to end this magnificent series with the character that started it all. It was nice to tie up loose ends but the book was quite boring.

Character-driven nostalgia in the best way

This is a very personal, character-driven novel, nostalgically touching on so much that has gone on in the entire Vorkosigan series. Coming back to focus on Cordelia on Sergyar is brilliant.
I loved this book, but I tend to love the world-building and characters more than a plot. For comparison, A Civil Campaign is probably the most similar in structure (even including a scene which made me laugh about the disastrous dinner party in that book).
I may have to start with Cordelia all over again after this reminder of why she is an astonishing, captivating character.

LMB is always good for an incredible story!

one of my favorites. I've read it about 5 times. the narration was excellent. It was very nice being able to listen while cleaning and cooking. Lois McMadters Bujold has story lines that always go in unexpected directions. Great fun for me!

A weaker entry in a wonderful series

This book is enjoyable, but lacks stakes and the usual larger plot. It’s more of a domestic dramedy in a science fiction setting.

more a relationship story, character development

not much action, interesting, but more character development. as opposed to hard Science Fiction

Great book but...

Missing the varied and sorted adventures of Miles and his alter-ego the Admiral. However, it was nice to see the progress in others lives.