Ethan of Athos

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Dr. Ethan Urquhart is chief of biology at a District Reproduction Center. He delivers babies from uterine replicators. You see, on Athos there are no women. In fact, the planet is forbidden to them.

Isolated from the galactic community by distance and a lack of exploitable resources, the Athosians have peacefully lived their peculiar social experiment for two hundred years. But now, the ovarian cultures dating back to the original settlement of the planet are giving out.

With the future of Athos at stake, Ethan is chosen on behalf of his cloistered fellows for a unique mission: to brave the wider universe in quest of new ovarian tissue cultures to replenish Athos' dwindling stocks. Along the way, he must tangle with covert operatives, killers, telepathy, interplanetary politics, and - perhaps most disturbingly - an indomitable female mercenary named Elli Quinn.

©1986 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

well written as all her books are

fun,funny and entertaining,interesting and well written.I am not sure however that I liked the ending.

Flawed, but entertaining

An interesting little side story from the main Miles Vorkosigan books. We get to learn more about Elli Quinn, after her facial reconstruction surgery. However, as the title suggests, Ethan of Athos is the main character.

He’s from an all-male planet, thrust off-world to procure more genetic material for their artificial birth program. There’s plenty of “fish out of water” encounters, and he’s definitely in over his head throughout most of the book, though he demonstrates a pretty strong core of resilience. It’s an interesting story, with a bit of a mystery wrapped up in lots of action, moving along quite nicely.

HOWEVER: there’s a lot of homophobia from multiple characters (including use of the f-word and other slurs), and a “lighthearted” reference to conversion therapy. Since the book is almost 40 years old at this point (published in 1986), I’ll give the author a pass. However, I must admit that I cringed heavily during these scenes, and it took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. At least these instances were relatively brief, and there were only a few of them. Still, some readers may want to avoid the book because of this.

Good Bujold

Have always enjoyed her slightly amused writing style and competent bungling characters. This book is very much in that line. A definite listen for anyone.

Interesting concept, great series

The absence of Miles Vorkosigan in this installment of the Vorkosigan series was not as ruinous as I had at first feared. On the contrary, the story was just as intriguing and witty as the others in the series.

In a previous review an audible listener seemed to take offense at the word "peculiar" being used to describe the lifestyle on the planet Athos, even going as far as to accuse the writer of being homophobic. Completely ridiculous - an entire planet of men that are scared to death of women (forcing them to have to procreate using 200 yr old uterine cultures) is a bit peculiar no matter what your view on homosexuality is. Being forced to be homosexual (like all the men of Athos) is quite peculiar indeed. Nevertheless, great concept and great writing. Bujold never fails to amaze me with her creativity and wit. The entire series is worth your next few month's worth of audible credits.

Stranger in a Strange Space Station

More comedy of errors adventurous fun from LMB. For years this was one of my favourite LMB books. (And this is one of her weaker novels, the woman is a genius).

No Miles in this book. However, If you are new to the series you could start here, and you ca get a flavour of the Little Admiral.

This may seem like a simple adventure/spy story. But LMB is never simple. This is also a clear exploration of how technology affects society and societal mores.

A Little Dated

I first read this book a couple decades ago, and at the time it was an interesting and novel book. Having listened to it again in 2020, it is still interesting, but some of the attitudes in it are very dated. One hopes that, in a future where space travel is common, we will have advanced culturally enough that being gay won't be frowned upon.

Don't start with this one

This was the first Vorkosigan series book I read and I regretted it. Without the background of other books in the series, it is just a fun adventure. I read this one first and did not read another for about 5 years.

That said, it is a good read if you have already read The Warrior's Apprentice. It is especially good if you have also read some of the later Miles books.

you get to see another part of the Galaxy

very good but not as good as some of the previous books in the series. there is not much from anybody from the previous books in the series. good job creating a culture. if baryer was based on Japan this is not really based on anything from earth that I can. recall.

Gay space communism

Ah really great little adventure story, and ahead of its time sensibilities for a book written in 1986.

Engaging comedy and unique storyline

I adore Lois McMaster Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan space operas...but I put off reading this one since he doesn't appear and I just didn't think I would be as captivated. I have now listened to the Audible recording three times and find the exciting plotline completely enthralling. What charms me the most are the comedic elements. The unique storyline is equaling compelling. The narration is superb! Highly recommended...I look forward to my fourth listen in a few months time. Postscript: re-read this again, and over time I have raised my "inner star rating feelings" from four to five, as it is stellar Bujold, even if it deviates from "main Miles" to a supporting cast member. The underlying premise is accomplished extremely well and the entire book is quite engaging. I'm impressed with the plotting details and operation of the station, from newts to weights and all the details in between. I enjoyed it thoroughly, even after multiple re-readings. Grover Gardner, the narrator, is possessed of the amazing ability to make you forget his voice and focus on what is actually happening!