Memory

The first half of the book deals with Miles' old life as Admiral Naismith becoming a memory: he has to re-invent himself (again). Tragic circumstances - his former mentor's loss of memory - open up an unusual opportunity for our hero: to become an Imperial auditor. To quote from the book: "imperial with capital imp".So the book becomes a mystery with Miles as the investigator and - naturally - his cousin Ivan as the sidekick. And it is a great story with all the colorful, romantic background of Barrayar. If "Mirror Dance" was the very dark but brilliant story about his clone-brother becoming Lord Mark, then this is Miles' turn to really become Lord Vorkossigan, new suite and kitchen-staff included. There is also romance in the book, but it mostly evades Miles - well, at least the emperor is happy ...A mystery, romance, a search for oneself - it's all there in this book. I regard it as one of the best of this brilliant series. To read it before "Komarr" (and consequently "A Civil Campaign") is recommended.

While Mirror Dance is still the best Vorkosigan book so far, Memory is almost up there. After having explored Miles' brother Mark's character so vividly in Mirror Dance, Bujold turns to her main character in Memory, bringing Miles to a turning point in his life and showing what makes him tick. She does this by having Miles go through a crisis of conscience that ends up blowing up in his face.After what happened to him in Mirror Dance, Miles goes through some introspection about the way his career has gone. What he does puts him at odds with Simon Illyan, the head of Imperial Security. The results from this send Miles on a downward mental spiral. While all of this is going on, a plot against Simon presents itself, and Miles has to figure out what's going on. Seeing how Miles deals with all of this is one of the best things about the book. The last couple of Bujold books have shown a great maturity in writing style that I really like.A couple of reviewers have mentioned how predictable the Simon plot is. I have to agree, but I would say that it's beside the point. The reason for this novel is not the plot against Simon, but how Miles deals with it, and how he incorporates it into his dealing with his other issues. It doesn't matter that the plot is predictable, because the only reason it is there is to showcase Miles and his thought processes. In handling this dilemma, Miles makes great strides in his maturity. He's gone past the daring-do of his Admiral Naismith persona and become a much more well-rounded person. He discovers that he's been denying his real self as Miles Vorkosigan, and burying it in Admiral Naismith.It's a great treat to read this book and see how Miles progresses. He comes out of the book a much better person than he went into it as. I really like the way the character has progressed. I also like the way Bujold has refused to leave Miles a static character. Too many series fall into that trap of never having major changes to the lead character. Miles is still incredibly interesting, but he's not the same man who started the series.I would not recommend starting your reading of the Miles series with Memory. It references every single book and story that Miles has starred in so far. Everything is explained well enough for the first time reader, but I think you'd get more enjoyment out of it if you've read the previous books. However, Memory is a standout in the series, and should definitely be read by any Bujold fan. I'm enjoying my run through this series (though I'm taking a break now before moving on to Komarr), and that's certainly a great way to be exposed to the saga. I heartily recommend doing it that way. Buy them all!

This book marks the turning point of Miles Vorkosigan/Naismith's life. Without giving away the plot, there's not much else to say. Miles faces his life, his choices and himself, in prose so brutally honest that it almost hurts to read. But the writing is beautiful, the plot twisty and surprising, and the characters glorious. This is the culmination of all that has gone before, and I strongly recommend that you read what has gone before. prior to dipping into this novel._Memory_ is a fabulous book. It would be well worth reading if it had only the great story, or only the incredibly well-drawn characters, or only the deeper layers of meaning. When you combine all of these, and add in the absolutely sublime prose, you have a fabulous book. Read the precursors, then read this. You won't be sorry.

I will venture the very bold statement that Bujold is the best woman SF writer active today (ealier claiments to that title would be LeGuin and C. J. Cherry). This series of Bujold's (about Miles) is really a remarkable work. Not only is it extensive (10+ books) but it has gone after things in a strongly chronological fashion. Instead of skipping forward and backwards in time, picking off the highlights, this series has (with a few exceptions) moved forward in time very "cleanly". I really get the feeling that I'm reading about a real person's life.One remarkable aspect to this series is that while it is science fiction, it is very strongly about character development as well. Miles changes over time. Most other people in the series don't change but then, most other people in the books are older than Miles and more set in their ways. Another interesting thing about this series is that the "galaxy" in which this book is set is slowly coming into focus. We only see bits and pieces of the Miles galaxy but even so, it is developing very nicely as a coherent, believable background for the stories.Now this book, Memory, is a real turning point in Miles life and in the series. It marks (what seems to be) a turn away from "space opera" and towards something new... science fiction for policy wonks? Its hard to describe but the old days of blasting your enemies are replaced by the new, more mature challenges of politics and character assassination. It also represents a chance for Bujold to engage in some "romance". Don't take this wrong, this is not some romance novel, but it is a novel that in many ways is about relationships. Its rare to read a SF novel that is this carefull balance of comedy, mystery, and character.Bottom line: Bujold's Miles series started pretty well 15 years ago and has transformed into a series that is unlike anything that has been written before. I find it highly enjoyable and this book is one of the best "installments" in the life of Miles.

I don't regret buying this book.As the latest book that I've read of Miles's adventures, perhaps it is a wee bit flat. Not very exciting overall. BUT I totally love this book as it expands and (conversely) encapsulates the Vorkosigan world approx. 230 odd years since 'Falling Free'. Similar to Asimov's style - for the series portraying the possible future of a (rather) roboticised world - of not making a continuous character the continual central character, Miles Vorkosigan is subsumed in the events surrounding his life, i.e. the intrigue against Illyan, rather than causing chaos (as in the Little Admiral's adventures). Bujold treats Miles as she did Ethan of Athos, as eyes to tell a greater story and yet a character in his own right. I enjoyed reading the little digressions from the central theme, relating the details of other people in Miles' life, such as his Emperor, and Miles' friends from previous adventures. I also enjoyed the method by which new and interesting characters are introduced into "our" Vorkosigan world. (Analogous to past Pratchett 'Discworld' books, where the most laugh-on-a-bus of the story is a mere footnote.) Wait 'til you meet Zap the cat. Dare I say that Miles grows up? I believe that 'Memory' is more than a mere sci-fi mystery wi' a bit of psychology thrown in. It is a good story set in an interesting world, populated with believable characters. Miles' personality becomes more complex (as we all should when we grow), and Miles learns to know himself better (as I wish I could), and a sub-theme throughout seems to be "life goes on". I wouldn't catergorise 'Memory' as puff pastry, but maybe puff savoury (as only Miles' new cook can make it - with perhaps a side dip, or a filling of dairy products after it passes through the cook's domain ). That's the way I see it, that's the way I call it.