Azure Jane Lunatic (Azz) 🌺 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
azurelunatic) wrote2012-05-31 10:45 pm
azurelunatic) wrote2012-05-31 10:45 pm
Reading CryoBurn: One fan's recommendations
So you've been reading the Vorkosigan saga, and perhaps you've been warned that there is an Event in CryoBurn that fans from the 1997-2010 era had perhaps been spoiled for, by Authorial Declaration.
If you know what the Event is, or have a pretty good idea but don't want to know for sure, you may wish to brace yourself appropriately.
Strategy 0: The Long Spear
The impact of the Event depends on having read the books that come before. You could probably pick up CryoBurn and read it on its own, and for the first 333 pages (in the hardback) it's a pretty standard science fiction detective story, albeit one with a protagonist you're supposed to know already but somehow you don't. If you pick up CryoBurn as your introduction to the Vorkosigan saga, do yourself a favor and read the books that come before first. Most of the series is available freely through one of the discs of the Baen Public Library. If you have trouble finding it, ask and someone can point you in the right direction. If you don't go for the previous books, avoid the ending as outlined in Strategy 1. The ending wraps up threads from the entire series in a way that I do not feel is particularly accessible to a complete newcomer. At minimum, I would recommend Shards of Honor and Barrayar (bundled as Cordelia's Honor), The Warrior's Apprentice, ... augh, okay, it's harder to figure out what part of the Miles story arc to skip, but Memory is pivotal and also not in the free library release. Seriously, though, this is totally not the book to start on.
Strategy 1: Avoidance
If you don't think you can handle reading about that Event, fear not! You can still read most of CryoBurn. You may read with confidence in chapters 1-19. Proceed with caution through chapter 20. After the main events of the chapter conclude, Miles and Mark chat in the Escobar Transfer Station. You may read most of this conversation. The last page to read in the hardback is page 333. To maximize avoidance, stop reading about halfway through the page.
These are the two sentences to watch for:
They end a short paragraph. The remainder of the book is concerned with the Event and aftermaths. Do not read these until you are prepared to read them.
Strategy 2: Preparation and Closure
Most of the book can be read as normal. Based on your personal reading speed and circumstances surrounding your reading, schedule your preparations appropriately. (If you read slowly, you may not need to prepare for some time; if you read particularly quickly and/or are taking the book with you while traveling/out-and-about, you might consider preparing before starting the book/before leaving.)
If you cry over books, bring a handkerchief or whatever. If you need to not cry over books in public, follow the avoidance strategy above until you get to somewhere not-public. Arrange for a comforting and ideally warm beverage of your choice, and something/someone warm and cuddly to hug, and maybe some vigorous gardening and a bubble bath.
I was personally moved by the ending, but found it too abrupt to find closure. There are two fics written shortly after the book's release which help bring closure to the book in a way reminiscent of Bujold at her finest.
The chronological order of the fic interleaved with the end of the book is as follows:
1: "Sunset", by Philomytha. Aral and Cordelia on Sergyar, before the Event.
2: Chapter 20 of CryoBurn. Miles and Mark talk in the Escobar Transfer Station. They learn of the Event.
3: "Treatment for Shock", by Dira Sudis. Armsman Roic reacts to the Event, seen through Mark's perspective.
4. "Aftermaths", a series of five drabbles by Lois McMaster Bujold, after Chapter 20 of CryoBurn (depending on your format, an electronic reader may interpret this as part of Chapter 20). Five different samples of life post-Event.
Reading this chronologically is a bad idea, because the Event is properly introduced by the reveal at the end of Chapter 20; without knowing of the nature of the Event, "Sunset" loses its power; by learning of the nature of the Event, the mood set at the end of Chapter 19 is spoiled and the reveal at the end of Chapter 20 is not as effective.
You should finish Chapter 20 proper but stop before "Aftermaths", and instead immediately read "Treatment for Shock". "Treatment for Shock" is a logical continuation of what happens when Miles learns of the Event, so I strongly recommend that they be read in that order.
The reading order for "Aftermaths" and "Sunset" is not as crucial, but I find that the most powerful order that is likely to bring the best closure is "Aftermaths" and then "Sunset".
Strategy 3: Post-book flailing
This is for those people who have read CryoBurn, but haven't read any fic relating to it, or perhaps have never read any Vorkosigan fic at all.
1: "Treatment for Shock", by Dira Sudis. Armsman Roic reacts to the Event, seen through Mark's perspective.
2: "Sunset", by Philomytha. Aral and Cordelia on Sergyar, before the Event.
Go read them, with a handkerchief. I didn't cry until I read those. Then I did, and I felt a lot better. I met the Vorkosigans when I was fifteen and a little lost, and desperately needed adult bisexual role models. Aral was not very good at dealing with bisexuality on Barrayar, but he was very good at being an adult and carrying on, and that's what I needed.
Entirely optionally, find a quiet place that allows fire, a knife or pair of scissors, fire-making tools & tinder, and a brazier. You know what to do. (This strategy assumes a certain amount of hair, and may not be suitable for those who are bald or shave their heads.)
Whatever your personal strategy is, I hope these recommendations serve you well. Read in good health and/or good spirits.
If you know what the Event is, or have a pretty good idea but don't want to know for sure, you may wish to brace yourself appropriately.
Strategy 0: The Long Spear
The impact of the Event depends on having read the books that come before. You could probably pick up CryoBurn and read it on its own, and for the first 333 pages (in the hardback) it's a pretty standard science fiction detective story, albeit one with a protagonist you're supposed to know already but somehow you don't. If you pick up CryoBurn as your introduction to the Vorkosigan saga, do yourself a favor and read the books that come before first. Most of the series is available freely through one of the discs of the Baen Public Library. If you have trouble finding it, ask and someone can point you in the right direction. If you don't go for the previous books, avoid the ending as outlined in Strategy 1. The ending wraps up threads from the entire series in a way that I do not feel is particularly accessible to a complete newcomer. At minimum, I would recommend Shards of Honor and Barrayar (bundled as Cordelia's Honor), The Warrior's Apprentice, ... augh, okay, it's harder to figure out what part of the Miles story arc to skip, but Memory is pivotal and also not in the free library release. Seriously, though, this is totally not the book to start on.
Strategy 1: Avoidance
If you don't think you can handle reading about that Event, fear not! You can still read most of CryoBurn. You may read with confidence in chapters 1-19. Proceed with caution through chapter 20. After the main events of the chapter conclude, Miles and Mark chat in the Escobar Transfer Station. You may read most of this conversation. The last page to read in the hardback is page 333. To maximize avoidance, stop reading about halfway through the page.
These are the two sentences to watch for:
Which gave Miles a rather comradely feeling toward Vorlynkin, now he considered it. He wished the man luck.
They end a short paragraph. The remainder of the book is concerned with the Event and aftermaths. Do not read these until you are prepared to read them.
Strategy 2: Preparation and Closure
Most of the book can be read as normal. Based on your personal reading speed and circumstances surrounding your reading, schedule your preparations appropriately. (If you read slowly, you may not need to prepare for some time; if you read particularly quickly and/or are taking the book with you while traveling/out-and-about, you might consider preparing before starting the book/before leaving.)
If you cry over books, bring a handkerchief or whatever. If you need to not cry over books in public, follow the avoidance strategy above until you get to somewhere not-public. Arrange for a comforting and ideally warm beverage of your choice, and something/someone warm and cuddly to hug, and maybe some vigorous gardening and a bubble bath.
I was personally moved by the ending, but found it too abrupt to find closure. There are two fics written shortly after the book's release which help bring closure to the book in a way reminiscent of Bujold at her finest.
The chronological order of the fic interleaved with the end of the book is as follows:
1: "Sunset", by Philomytha. Aral and Cordelia on Sergyar, before the Event.
2: Chapter 20 of CryoBurn. Miles and Mark talk in the Escobar Transfer Station. They learn of the Event.
3: "Treatment for Shock", by Dira Sudis. Armsman Roic reacts to the Event, seen through Mark's perspective.
4. "Aftermaths", a series of five drabbles by Lois McMaster Bujold, after Chapter 20 of CryoBurn (depending on your format, an electronic reader may interpret this as part of Chapter 20). Five different samples of life post-Event.
Reading this chronologically is a bad idea, because the Event is properly introduced by the reveal at the end of Chapter 20; without knowing of the nature of the Event, "Sunset" loses its power; by learning of the nature of the Event, the mood set at the end of Chapter 19 is spoiled and the reveal at the end of Chapter 20 is not as effective.
You should finish Chapter 20 proper but stop before "Aftermaths", and instead immediately read "Treatment for Shock". "Treatment for Shock" is a logical continuation of what happens when Miles learns of the Event, so I strongly recommend that they be read in that order.
The reading order for "Aftermaths" and "Sunset" is not as crucial, but I find that the most powerful order that is likely to bring the best closure is "Aftermaths" and then "Sunset".
Strategy 3: Post-book flailing
This is for those people who have read CryoBurn, but haven't read any fic relating to it, or perhaps have never read any Vorkosigan fic at all.
1: "Treatment for Shock", by Dira Sudis. Armsman Roic reacts to the Event, seen through Mark's perspective.
2: "Sunset", by Philomytha. Aral and Cordelia on Sergyar, before the Event.
Go read them, with a handkerchief. I didn't cry until I read those. Then I did, and I felt a lot better. I met the Vorkosigans when I was fifteen and a little lost, and desperately needed adult bisexual role models. Aral was not very good at dealing with bisexuality on Barrayar, but he was very good at being an adult and carrying on, and that's what I needed.
Entirely optionally, find a quiet place that allows fire, a knife or pair of scissors, fire-making tools & tinder, and a brazier. You know what to do. (This strategy assumes a certain amount of hair, and may not be suitable for those who are bald or shave their heads.)
Whatever your personal strategy is, I hope these recommendations serve you well. Read in good health and/or good spirits.
no subject
no subject
Though it might be that the official status there changes only after an in-person interview and re-swearing.
That was it. That was the only thing that distracted me in the slightest.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
I hate how she left Miles in that black hole for, as far as we know, forever. I do not have the words to describe how much I hate it.