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Barrayar cover art

Barrayar

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Summary

Political intrigue, culture clash and romance make a stirring mix in this award-winning follow-up novel to the acclaimed Shards of Honor.

In the wake of interplanetary war, former commander Cordelia Naismith has deserted her own planet to marry the leader of the defeated enemy, Aral Vorkosigan. On his home planet of Barrayar, two rival factions are eyeing the recently vacated throne, and Aral, recently appointed Regent of Barrayar by the Emperor on his deathbed, must stand between them.

Lord and Lady Vorkosigan, Aral and Cordelia struggle to establish stability in a fragile government thrown into confusion by the transition of power and the threat of civil war. When a palace coup endangers the government, their lives, and her unborn son, Cordelia takes action to secure the safety of her new family and new home.

Hi-fi sci-fi: listen to more in the Vorkosigan saga.
©1991 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

1992 Hugo Award, Best Novel

What listeners say about Barrayar

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    3 out of 5 stars

Only Made it to Chapter Four

The writing is too economical with descriptions. Also many people (but not all) have a “Vor” prefix to their name. With the author often not making it clear enough who is speaking or what their background/relationship is - in addition to throwing in mentions of important history, people and technical devices and not explaining what they are - I struggled to follow.

Use of description is unfortunately fairly thin, so I had little to no visualisation of people or settings. This just doesn’t make for an interesting enough listen on what is possibly an interesting story.

Also the narrator sounds very much like an artificial, digitally created voice. The voice artist is skilled, but they were the wrong choice here and much more suited to factual information in my opinion. (In their defence, perhaps it could be the quality of the download.)

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One of my favorites

Bujold is great at adding humor to dramatic stories. she also has a talent for using just a few words to give a range of visuals, emotion and dialogue. I enjoy her strong female characters in this story and listen to it every year or two.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This series is a masterpiece.

I have loved this series since I was first introduced to it in the early 2000's. LMB manages to combine sci-fi, and what feels like a historical drama effortlessly, all based around characters who grow and change with the reader. This is where it begins in earnest, and while so many of the books are included with membership, I'd recommend them to anyone without hesitation.

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A change

This is the first Vorkosigan book I’ve read that is not focused on Miles. Enjoyable story, Cordelia’s meddling in her staff love life is bloody annoying at times but the rest of the plot is solid.

Narration was good.

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Outstanding adaptation

I love the books by Lois McMaster Bujold and so my standards for judging an adaptation are pretty high. I am delighted to say I thought this was a superb job. Everything about it was so enjoyable. I laughed, frowned, worried and even wept at points where the emotions I first felt from reading this book were brought to the fore once again by the reader’s performance. I will be buying others in the series without a doubt. Well done Audible.

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Love this book!

Wonderful characters and great pacy plot. So much humour and humanity. And the narrator is excellent too.

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Great story well read

Excellent start to the Miles Vorkosigan novels. Really recommend these novels. The set up for the rest of the series and the introduction to the most fascinating characters in any science fiction novel. Flawed but superbly gifted and driven Miles and his family.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Not as good but still enjoyable

Compared to its predecessor, this book is not as enjoyable. Cordelia’s charisma never gets to me, although I am fascinated by supporting characters such as Bothari and Illyan. Cannot wait to finally read Miles’ adventures!

Grover Gardner does a good job as usual, every character recognizable and easily differentiated from each other. I do agree, however, that this is a story better to be told by a female narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

I thought it was a great follow-up to Shards of Honor. I will be getting the next book!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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What a classic!

Absolutely fabulous reading of the Hugo Award winning Barrayar. By turns, exhilarating moving & funny

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