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Title: Falling Free by Lois M. Bujold, Michael Hanson, Carol Cowan ISBN: 0-9624010-9-9 Publisher: Readers Chair Pub. Date: 01 April, 1996 Format: Audio Cassette List Price(USD): $42.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.22 (18 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Better on the Re-Read...
Comment: This science-fiction book tells the stories of the genetically engineered quaddies (not much of a spoiler -- see the cover... Either of them.), and Leo Graf, who befriends them. My first reading, I was looking for something more like _The Warrior's Apprentice_, with a somewhat manic protagonist, and Leo isn't that. (Nor are the 2 quaddies who get some time as viewpoint characters.) But upon second and third re-readings, I really started to appreciate the characters and enjoy the story for the technology-solution-to-problem-(with-great-characters!) that it is.
Rating: 4
Summary: A quiet Engineer discovers "Forward Momentum" & saves a race
Comment: This book is set in the 'Vorkosigan' Universe, several hundred years prior to the birth of Miles. A huge Corporation in the Space Habitat construction business has bred a race uniquely suited for zero-gee, the "Quaddies". Not only are Quaddies quite...handy in free fall, they also are physiologically suited to long spells in orbit w/out expensive 'downtime'. A seasoned professional engineer, Leo Graf, reports to the Rodeo system to conduct training classes for the Quaddies - at first he is put off by their unusual appearance, but soon becomes an enthusiast. Technological progress in the form of artificial gravity comes along to steal the Quaddie's rice bowl - most of their cost advantage over humans is nullified in one swift blow. As the Corporation gropes for a way to rid itself of a now costly, risky and worthless investment, Leo finds himself remoreslessly caught up in extermporizing a scheme to save the Quaddies from extermination via cost-accounting hell. Putting his life, his career, his savings and his links to the rest of humanity on the line, Leo eventually discovers the virtues of 'Falling Free.' If you're a fan of Bujold you can imagine the rest. Interesting characters manipulating fascinating circumstances with a engaging and humorous edge. Bujold discovers the inner secrets of the human heart in the unlikeliest places - like a gruff old engineer confronted by a boisterous crowd of mutant children who must surmout impossible odds to survive. A rousing good read.
Rating: 3
Summary: Falling Free
Comment: (...)
Formulaic. This is the best way to describe the disappointing Falling Free, which is predictable from page one. The basic plot line should sound familiar: Multiuniversal (as opposed to multinational) corporation creates genetically engineered human beings that are perfect for work in free fall and drastically lower operating costs; these "quaddies" become obsolete after invention of artificial gravity for space stations; corporation wants to rid itself of the quaddies and cut costs. You can imagine for yourself how they may want to dispose of them. Falling Free also has the standard hero who wants to save the quaddies and is set up against the heartless corporate administrator who will do anything to advance in the company and cut costs. The reader knows what will happen from page to page and it makes for a rather boring book. There is no in-depth character analysis or drama which make the Miles Vorkosigan books so enjoyable. I knew the basic plot and outcome of many of Bujold's Vorkosigan novels but her characters, humor, themes, and surprises from page to page made them greatly enjoyable and entertaining. This is not the case with Falling Free.
The most interesting aspect of Falling Free was the exposition of the horrors of genetic engineering. The "quaddies" are four armed human beings designed to work more efficiently in free fall. The quaddies are raised and completely controlled by GalacTech who exploits them to the fullest. Their eduction, reproduction, reading material, free time, literally every aspect of their lives are controlled by the corporation. When the quaddies become a liability rather than an investment the corporation cares little about how they are "disposed". Bujold could have had a more interesting book had she explored the moral dilemmas presented by genetic engineering and its possible abuses. Unfortunately, the reader's anger at the plight of the quaddies dissipates rather quickly because of the superficial nature of the entire book. Bujold's quaddies are interesting, however, and she does a nice job of briefly exploring their characters. Having been raised and educated on a space station for specific purposes affects their interactions with one another, their sexual mores, and how they interact with two-legged creatures.
For Miles Vorkosigan fans this book is NOT a must read. While the quaddies show up in the The Vor Game you really do not learn anything essential about them in Falling Free. Falling Free does not approach the high quality to which Miles Vorkosigan fans have become accustomed.
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Title: Memory (Miles Vorkosigan Adventures (Paperback)) by Lois McMaster Bujold ISBN: 067187845X Publisher: Baen Pub. Date: 01 October, 1997 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Komarr (Miles Vorkosigan Adventures (Paperback)) by Lois McMaster Bujold ISBN: 0671578081 Publisher: Baen Pub. Date: 01 April, 1999 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold ISBN: 0671578855 Publisher: Baen Pub. Date: 01 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Cordelia's Honor (Hugo Winners) by Lois McMaster Bujold ISBN: 0671578286 Publisher: Baen Pub. Date: 01 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Miles Errant by Lois McMaster Bujold ISBN: 0743435583 Publisher: Baen Pub. Date: 01 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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