Memory

A Miles Vorkosigan Novel

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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)

Never Gets Old

I could listen to Grover Gardner read the ingredients list on a box of corn flakes- every morning!

I think this is my forth (fifth, sixth...) time listening to the Vorkosigan series. Restarting the series when a new book is released is a good excuse. I try to avoid the, "What are you reading/listening to?" questions when I do restart to avoid hearing, "Again?!?" when I tell them, "Miles". Oooh, maybe I'll tap my foot and bob my head to pretend I'm listening to a Miles Davis piece!

terrific book, terrific reader

Lois McMaster Bujold is a great author. The Vorkosigan Saga is a great series. She really understands what makes people tick. She tells entrancing stories. I loved this one.

My favorite author & love this series

I have read everything by this author. I love the way she tells a story & that her characters are "real people" for me. Most of her works, I have read multiple times. Pick something, & I hope you love it as much as I do.

Excellent pivot point for the series

I can’t really say how many times I have read the books in this series, either one at a time or the whole series straight through or mostly so. I fell in love with it the first time as a teenager, in 1996; and when I discovered the rest of the books, or started discovering them, 10 years or so later, I was hooked and never really stopped reading them.
This is probably the most psychologically interesting of the books, and is a transitional book in the life of Miles. It is not perhaps, the most emotionally resident of the books–that would be Mirror Dance– but for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, it is my favorite in the series (At least this year). Perhaps because it is the first time that Miles really begins to understand himself, and merge the very separate parts of his personality into some kind of reasonable whole; and several of the major series characters either have new starts, or unexpected new directions.
Regardless of the reason: if you are already a reader of this series, I really don’t need to tell you that you must read this book.
If, on the other hand, you were looking at starting this series, then definitely don’t start here because you will not be able to appreciate this book to its fullest even though it is a very good book in general. In that latter case, start with either Shards of Honor, or The Warrior’s Apprentice. If that’s you, you will get to this book eventually.

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

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.

Best series I've read in years

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.

Turning point for Miles

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.

Arguably one of the finest.

Lois McMaster Bujold has created an extraordinarily clever, credible scion of one of the great houses of Barayar, part of the empire ruled by the young Emperor Gregor. For those who haven't read any of the series, it's well worth starting at the beginning because in a world where men are expected to be physically perfect and very strong, the hero is a pint-sized young man with brittle bones and other disabilities which are more than offset by lightning intelligence, quick wittedness and the boldness to create a second character for himself as the leader of a mercenary fleet. But Miles has suffered badly during a raid and returning home, he is nonplussed to find that his cousin the Emperor is somewhat distrait, while his intelligence chief (Miles' superior) is having problems with what appears to be approaching senescence. Miles finds himself out of one job, at a loose end and then suddenly thrust into action in a quite unexpected fashion. This is a highly recommended work but unless the reader is familiar with the history of the character, this is a purchase to defer until you are: it's well worth the time!

What a lovable if imperfect character Miles is.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would highly recommend this book, but would also suggest start at the beginning with Cordella's story.

What did you like best about this story?

Miles was handicapped but he never let it stop him, showed emotions that you would not expect in a man. When he feels like he has lost everything he goes through a very painful time but slowly pulls himself out and continues on.

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

Wonderful voice, excellent diction made the book much more alive.

One of my favorite Miles Vorkosigan stories

Fear, mistakes, dishonor, humiliation, recognition, self-realization, accountability, acceptance, forgiveness, growth, reparation, courage, challenge - it's all there. All wrapped up in a mystery. How do you move forward? One step at a time. What do you find? Your Life.
And I love Illyan’s story of diplomacy when he tells Miles “It expanded my world view ever after: money, power, sex and elephants.”
Excellent.
Grover Gardner just is - he's the voice of the Vorkosigan books, period. I can't recommend this series enough. In between the flim-flammery and humor are some amazing nuggets of wisdom that just pull you up short.