Memory Audiobook By Lois McMaster Bujold cover art

Memory

A Miles Vorkosigan Novel

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Memory

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Dying is easy. Coming back to life is hard. At least that's what Miles Vorkosigan thinks, and he should know - having done both once already.

Thanks to his quick-thinking staff and incredible artistry from a medical specialist, Miles' first death wasn't his last. But it does take some recovery, a fact he has been reluctant to admit. When he makes the mistake of returning too soon to military duty, he finds himself summoned home to face the Barrayaran security chief, Simon Illyan.

But Miles' worst nightmares about Simon Illyan are nothing compared to Illyan's own nightmares. Under suspicion himself, Miles must seek out the answers to Ilyan's nightmares or see the inevitable destruction of Imperial Security and, with it, the Empire.

Hi-fi sci-fi: listen to more in the Vorkosigan saga.©1996 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc. Fantasy Science Fiction

Critic reviews

"Science fiction at its very best!" (Rave Reviews)
"As ever with Bujold, Memory is a delight!" (Locus)
"Bujold fans of long standing will justly hail [this] as a masterpiece that contains some of her finest prose and characterization. Bujold continues to prove what marvelous genius can create out of basic space operatics." (Booklist)

Featured Article: 12 of the Best Sci-Fi Series in Audio


From the furthest reaches of space to the microbiology of pandemics and gene manipulation, to the future implications of technology for societies similar to our own, science fiction is a fascinating genre that offers listeners a wide variety of ways to access its themes. In looking for the best sci-fi audiobook series, it can be difficult to know where to start due to the genre's sheer number of iterations and variations. But what these series have in common is an acute devotion to telling a good story, as well as fully building out the worlds therein. The writing is enhanced by the creative and impassioned narration.

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This series is quite enjoyable. I usually read or listen to a fantasy realm setting, but this has been a nice change in pace. The writings are full of adventure, technical intrigue, near-miss romances and innuendos, and of course comedy. I never know if it's going to be serious or hilarious from one minute to the next. Miles as a persona is limited physically but his intelligence and wit keep you enthralled with the question "What's can possibly happen next?". And if your like me and usually guess the ending early, these books provide surprises and twists almost to the very end.

Excellent! Fun!

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I've enjoyed all of the Vor series

Great book

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The reader has since improved his readings by discovering his mispronounced words and correcting then. The Greek sounding names ending in "I" really the him in this book, but in others he gets it perfectly. other than that, the reading was excellent.

Excellent story, some bad pronunciations

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I have been a huge fan of the author since first discovering Shards of Honor and Barrayar in the late 90s. She and Heinlein are my personal top of the sci-fi genre and eagerly picked up every book in this series as soon it was published.

The narrator, Grover Gardener, is as always, superb. I congratulate the Ms. Bujold for sticking with the same narrator throughout her entire series. So many authors change a great narrator as soon as they gain acclaim. The practice is incredibly irritating for the readers and I've quit reading series because of the practice.

That said, I have my personal favorites in her Vorkosigan space opera series I rank Memory
one step down from the above 2 books. I rate this as one of very few 5 star books and absolutely worth the credit.

P.S. My favorite part....both the Emperor, Gregor's, courting/marriage to his Komarran Bride he steals from Dove and Illyan.

One of the Author's Best!

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I read every book in the series so far. Starting with Cordelia (his mother) and ending up here. This is easily my favorite. Every book in the series is a masterpiece but this one, it's genius. and to think I didn't even want to read it I wanted to go back and read one that I read earlier. Just to relive it because I like the books that much. But watching Miles finally realize that he could just be Miles Vorkosigan was it a delight. it doesn't matter which one you pick up these books will instantly become a favorite. I suggest reading them in order,but if must go out of order start with this one.

Vorkosigan finally

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I have read (listened to) all the earlier books in this series and enjoyed all but the one directly before this one, Mirror Dance, which I hated so much I considered quitting the series altogether. I gave it one more chance with Memory and it was worth it. This is a return to the old formula as well as (I hope) a prediction for the future. The characters all enter new phases of life, batons are passed, childhood things are put away and it’s all held together by a mystery. Aside from the main plot (which would be a huge spoiler so I won’t say anything about it) prominent subplots include: Ivan scandalized by his mother’s behavior, Simon discovering the wonders of GPS, and kittens for everyone. The pacing is a little slower than LMB’s usual and the story is better for it.

You could probably skip the whole 18 hour slog of Mirror Dance and go directly into this one without missing much. I sort of wish I had.

Light years better than Mirror Dance

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Memory does not disappoint. Everything you could want in a Miles Vorkosigan adventure happens in this book. Very well written and a pleasure to read and to listen too.

One of my favorites in the saga

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Grover Gardner has definitely got the hang of the Miles Vorkosigan books by now. He's not an inspired reader, but he's not a poor one, either. There's nothing about this performance to offend or mesmerize, and if you've heard many other Vorkosigan books, you'll know about how Gardner reads this one: perfectly serviceably.

The book, coming directly after _Mirror Dance_, is in some ways one of Bujold's best, and in others one of her most frustrating. The opening premise is difficult to sit still for, it's so uncomfortable: good writing, but not a pleasant experience. Once the initial, excruciating premise plays itself out, the book becomes far more engaging, and contains some of Bujold's best character work and writing. The problem is that for many readers, the central mystery is terribly transparent, and it's hard to spend hours (or a couple hundred pages) waiting for the certified super-genius to ask the question which occurred to the listener/reader after five minutes. The fact that this manages to be one of her best novels *in spite* of that says a great deal about the deft competence of the writing. Bujold is is one of those satisfying writers who make fandom pay off by getting better and better with age. _Memory_ so far exceeds the meager competence of the earliest Vorkosigan books that it's in a whole separate class. The only things which made the early books worth reading and rereading were the humor, the dialogue, and the characterization. _Memory_ has all that, and solidly good writing besides, with just that one little failure of suspense to put a crimp in its style.

Good. Almost great, but in the end - good.

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After a unexpected and crushing blow to his career, Miles sinks into a long but thoughtful depressive period which is a little slow, though still interesting to read. However, seeing "Auditor Miles" at work later more than makes up any lack of space battles. Miles crazed and entertaining maneuvers still keep you on the edge of your seat crying, "Go Miles!" The scenes between Illyan and Miles were gut-wrenching and absorbing. Must read for Miles fans.

Best series I've read in years

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Memory is a true turning point in the Miles Vorkosigan series, in all aspects. The book cuts the first books, which are steeped in adventure and comic mishaps due to Miles' overconfidence and 'forward momentum' and the next books, which have a more mature and personal character, and Miles is more restraint (relatively :-)). Memory is the stepping stone in between, which is sometimes an odd combination of the two.
If you expect action, you will be mostly disappointed. If you wanted more Miles, you definitely get it, and maybe more than you wished for.

The storyline without giving much away: Miles is not fully recovered from his death when because of that he makes a horrible mistake. A mistake which is compounded with him trying to hide this mistake from his Imperial masters. When they do find out, Miles has got to re-invent himself. He does find his identity by doing what he does best: helping his dearest friends by pushing on where others would give up. By following up on hunches and thinking through its logical causes and consequences. This story gives you more of the familiar people in the background, like Illyan, lady Alice Vorpatril and to a lesser extent, Ivan and Gregor. And that is a good thing.

Well worth the read for a more mature audience.

Turning point for Miles

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