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Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML: Set in Bujold's Vorkosigan universe, this independent novel follows a doctor as he braces himself for his first encounter with that most alien of aliens�??a female of his own species. 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 Qu… (more)
Pages
199
DDC/MDS
| 813.54 |
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Archren
In 1986, Gay Rights was a fairly new thing. Some people still knew AIDS as GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency), not yet realizing the plague that it would become. Gay marriage? Gay adoption? Not on the radar. It must have been a lot harder to come out of the closet back then. In that context then,
Athos is a single-sex planet, and has been for 150 years or so. Due to the philosophy of the founders, the men are taught that women are treacherous and highly suspect, to be avoided at all cost. The guys there have jobs and relationships and kids just like anyone else. Ethan is a doctor specializing in making babies. It’s a complex process, obviously, making liberal use of artificial wombs and cultures. Unfortunately, the cultures have a limited lifespan, and they’re beginning to wear out. New genetic material (from women) will be needed. Ethan is a grade-A member of his society, without a rebellious thought in him. So he is chosen to go arrange for more material out in the wider world, where he hopefully will not be corrupted. It’s difficult to arrange these things, since their world suffers under a severe stigma from the rest of the universe, both for their gay culture and for their phobic misogyny.
When Ethan ventures away from home for the first time, it doesn’t take long for things to go wrong. First there’s the frighteningly casual literal gay-bashing scene. Then he is quickly drawn into games of skulking espionage, under suspicion due to something that went wrong with the last package of genetic material that Athos ordered. He is rescued by a woman twice, much to his alarm. He meets other people involved in a widening conspiracy, and generally bumbles through to the satisfying conclusion, learning along the way how to deal with the rapidly evolving situation and the radically different social norms. Importantly, he never “converts” to heterosexuality (although if you think about it, she’s also arguing that being gay is cultural, not genetic, a stance that is possibly more controversial now than it would have been then).
The book reads much like some later Heinlein. The characters aren’t terribly deep, but they serve their purposes well. They’re all very competent and witty. You’ve got your strong female character (more of a leader here than in typical Heinlein), Ethan is our Stranger in a Strange Land, you’ve got mercenary/government bad buys, etc. In setting up such an extreme example as an all-male planet, and then letting it and its representative be fairly normal – not too macho, not bumblingly incompetent or wussy – Bujold makes a powerful statement for gay equality. Also, she can pull off the side effect of extreme gynophobia in a way that isn’t offensive to women and without undermining her argument about gays, a feat that a male author may not have been able to pull off.
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“Ethan of Athos” is an important book, stating flatly that gay men are folks just like the rest of us, who can get caught up in surprising space adventures just like anyone else in science fiction. As read today, twenty years later, the philosophical statement doesn’t seem quite so radical, but the adventure is still enjoyable.Athos is a single-sex planet, and has been for 150 years or so. Due to the philosophy of the founders, the men are taught that women are treacherous and highly suspect, to be avoided at all cost. The guys there have jobs and relationships and kids just like anyone else. Ethan is a doctor specializing in making babies. It’s a complex process, obviously, making liberal use of artificial wombs and cultures. Unfortunately, the cultures have a limited lifespan, and they’re beginning to wear out. New genetic material (from women) will be needed. Ethan is a grade-A member of his society, without a rebellious thought in him. So he is chosen to go arrange for more material out in the wider world, where he hopefully will not be corrupted. It’s difficult to arrange these things, since their world suffers under a severe stigma from the rest of the universe, both for their gay culture and for their phobic misogyny.
When Ethan ventures away from home for the first time, it doesn’t take long for things to go wrong. First there’s the frighteningly casual literal gay-bashing scene. Then he is quickly drawn into games of skulking espionage, under suspicion due to something that went wrong with the last package of genetic material that Athos ordered. He is rescued by a woman twice, much to his alarm. He meets other people involved in a widening conspiracy, and generally bumbles through to the satisfying conclusion, learning along the way how to deal with the rapidly evolving situation and the radically different social norms. Importantly, he never “converts” to heterosexuality (although if you think about it, she’s also arguing that being gay is cultural, not genetic, a stance that is possibly more controversial now than it would have been then).
The book reads much like some later Heinlein. The characters aren’t terribly deep, but they serve their purposes well. They’re all very competent and witty. You’ve got your strong female character (more of a leader here than in typical Heinlein), Ethan is our Stranger in a Strange Land, you’ve got mercenary/government bad buys, etc. In setting up such an extreme example as an all-male planet, and then letting it and its representative be fairly normal – not too macho, not bumblingly incompetent or wussy – Bujold makes a powerful statement for gay equality. Also, she can pull off the side effect of extreme gynophobia in a way that isn’t offensive to women and without undermining her argument about gays, a feat that a male author may not have been able to pull off.
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LibraryThing member sheherazahde
This story takes place in the Vorkosigan universe but the only regular character involved is Elli Quinn, who claims to be on vacation but is actually on a mission.
The main charter is Dr Ethan Urquhart, Chief of Biology at the Severin District Reproduction Center on Athos an all male planet.
This book raises some interesting questions. I bought it because of a conversation between Elli and Ethan about the cost of raising children. This book answers the question "What if men were the ones who raised the children" and the answer is that on Athos raising children is a respected and honored social duty. Ethan talks about the cost of raising children and compensating primary nurturers for their labor, but the economics of Athos are not well explained. Fatherhood on Athos is an honor one must build up social credit in order to acquire. That would seem to imply that fathers in a sense pay to receive children instead of being paid for their labor. It is never explained how (or if) primary (or secondary) nurturers are compensated for their labor. When men apply to receive children they cash in their "social duty credits" and pay cash for the production of the child. That seems to fit the traditional model of children as personal possessions of the parents and not something society as a whole pays for. The "Social Duty Credits" are more of a licencing system than a compensation system. In the end I don't think it explains how a society could fairly value the "women's work" of raising children. But it does explain why clone armies are impractical (I'm looking at you "Star Wars").
Children being a privilege that is licensed by the government is a recurring theme for Bujold. Beta Colony, generally presented as socially and technologically advanced, requires citizens to get a government licence to have children.
A lot of people talk about this novel as a landmark in gay science fiction, but I'm not convinced. I was struck by the open homophobia of the galactic culture. Ethan gets beaten up in a bar because he is gay, and homophobia is generally accepted. Homosexuality is only acceptable on Athos because there are no other options and I'm glad Bujold admits that, because an all male culture with no homosexuality would unrealistic. Ethan mentions that there are monasteries on Athos where men practice celibacy in accord with the Founding Fathers principles. But most human men would rather have sex with another man than not have sex at all.
A lot of single-sex female utopias have been written but I can't think of another single-sex male utopia. I wonder why.
The main charter is Dr Ethan Urquhart, Chief of Biology at the Severin District Reproduction Center on Athos an all male planet.
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Because there are no women on Athos (for religious reasons) children are conceived in vitro using egg cultures brought by the original colonists and brought to term in artificial wombs. But after two hundred years the egg cultures are failing and the new eggs that were ordered from off world at considerable expense are all garbage. Ethan is sent out to oversee the purchase of new human egg cultures but he has never seen a woman in his life and galactic culture is a bit overwhelming. On top of that the problem with the original shipment was no accident and dangerous people think Ethan knows more than he's telling. This book raises some interesting questions. I bought it because of a conversation between Elli and Ethan about the cost of raising children. This book answers the question "What if men were the ones who raised the children" and the answer is that on Athos raising children is a respected and honored social duty. Ethan talks about the cost of raising children and compensating primary nurturers for their labor, but the economics of Athos are not well explained. Fatherhood on Athos is an honor one must build up social credit in order to acquire. That would seem to imply that fathers in a sense pay to receive children instead of being paid for their labor. It is never explained how (or if) primary (or secondary) nurturers are compensated for their labor. When men apply to receive children they cash in their "social duty credits" and pay cash for the production of the child. That seems to fit the traditional model of children as personal possessions of the parents and not something society as a whole pays for. The "Social Duty Credits" are more of a licencing system than a compensation system. In the end I don't think it explains how a society could fairly value the "women's work" of raising children. But it does explain why clone armies are impractical (I'm looking at you "Star Wars").
Children being a privilege that is licensed by the government is a recurring theme for Bujold. Beta Colony, generally presented as socially and technologically advanced, requires citizens to get a government licence to have children.
A lot of people talk about this novel as a landmark in gay science fiction, but I'm not convinced. I was struck by the open homophobia of the galactic culture. Ethan gets beaten up in a bar because he is gay, and homophobia is generally accepted. Homosexuality is only acceptable on Athos because there are no other options and I'm glad Bujold admits that, because an all male culture with no homosexuality would unrealistic. Ethan mentions that there are monasteries on Athos where men practice celibacy in accord with the Founding Fathers principles. But most human men would rather have sex with another man than not have sex at all.
A lot of single-sex female utopias have been written but I can't think of another single-sex male utopia. I wonder why.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold is considered as part of the Vokosigan Saga, but this science fiction story really stands alone with a new main character that we haven’t met before. That main character is Dr. Ethan Urquhart and he is the chief of biology at a reproduction centre on the
Venturing off the planet for the first time in his life, he travels to Kline Station and upon embarkation, the first woman that he meets is none other than Captain Elli Quinn, who is on leave from the Dendarii Free Mercenary Fleet. Ethan and Elli eventually join forces in order to investigate a plot by the Cetagandans involving a secret research project.
Another great entry into this sci-fi series. I had been hesitating to read it as I thought I would miss the Vorkosigan focus but this was a wonderful story and a great way to see Elli close up and in action. She is truly a kick-ass heroine and the relationship between her and Ethan was interesting. Lois McMaster Bujold continues to make the Vorkosigan series a huge favorite!
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planet of Athos. Athos is an exclusively male planet that relies on uterine replicator technology to have children. Unfortunately their cultures are getting old and have recently shown signs of permanently deteriorating. When a new shipment arrives and it proves to be total junk, Ethan is assigned the duty of hunting down a supply of fresh ovarian tissue cultures. Venturing off the planet for the first time in his life, he travels to Kline Station and upon embarkation, the first woman that he meets is none other than Captain Elli Quinn, who is on leave from the Dendarii Free Mercenary Fleet. Ethan and Elli eventually join forces in order to investigate a plot by the Cetagandans involving a secret research project.
Another great entry into this sci-fi series. I had been hesitating to read it as I thought I would miss the Vorkosigan focus but this was a wonderful story and a great way to see Elli close up and in action. She is truly a kick-ass heroine and the relationship between her and Ethan was interesting. Lois McMaster Bujold continues to make the Vorkosigan series a huge favorite!
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LibraryThing member lawjen3
Excellently read and an engrossing story! Plot: Ethan of Athos is a prenatal doctor/biologist from the planet Athos, an isolated, backwater, all-male society of the back-to-nature-and-God style. Children are born in replicators via ovarian cultures to men who have earned enough social credits and
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who are deemed fit for fatherhood. Things are going well until the current crop - the founding crop, actually - of ovarian cultures start to wear out, necessitating the purchase of more ASAP. Athos coughs up the money for a shipment, but, when it finally arrives, it turns out to be junk body parts. Ethan is reluctantly nominated as ambassador and sent to the originating space station to investigate and/or buy more. The first person Ethan sees upon docking is Ellie Quinn, a FEMALE mercenary who is interested in the missing shipment, too, because she's tracking an evil group who is killing anyone who gets between them and said shipment. This group kidnaps Ethan on his first day there and tortures him until they realize he's truly ignorant of the situation. Ellie and Ethan team up to solve the mystery and stay alive. (spoiler: there is no romantic spark between them, though Ethan comes to care for her as a friend. Show Less
LibraryThing member cendri
Oh Ethan. You naive young man you.
This was a really refreshing take on a single gender culture, neither utopia nor dystopia. But I was mostly focused on how much I enjoyed Elli and Ethan's interactions throughout all the shenanigans, and later Terrence.
Basically a nice little story in this series
This was a really refreshing take on a single gender culture, neither utopia nor dystopia. But I was mostly focused on how much I enjoyed Elli and Ethan's interactions throughout all the shenanigans, and later Terrence.
Basically a nice little story in this series
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canon. Show Less
LibraryThing member iayork
Who needs Miles?: This volume is generally one of the less popular among Bujold fans, probably due to the absence of Bujold's most celebrated character, Miles Vorkosigan. But it's a solid story with pleasures of its own.Ethan comes from Athos, a planet founded by misogynists who took their loathing
On Klein Station, Ethan encounters betrayal and conspiracies from galactic powers that isolated Athosians have little understanding of. His only ally is Elli Quinn of the Free Dendarii mercenaries.
Wild adventures ensue, with the usual amount of double-crosses, mysteries, and sudden plot twists, all of which are handled well and are a sufficient reason to read the book. But the greatest pleasure in this story for me is the Bulold's world-building. She has really thought about Athos and about Klein Station, and she creates them as plausible places, showing what they are like. And, as another reviewer has properly pointed out, she shows the uniqueness of these societies not with long chunks of exposition that break up the story, or characters who deliver implausible lectures on the differences between their societies and 20th Century Earth, but by allowing you to see events from the perspective of people from those societies.
This isn't Bujold's best. But it's an illustration that Bujold, even a bit off form, is still better than most and a very rewarding writer.
Because this book doesn't include Miles Vorkosigan and his complicated personal issues, it will be an easier read than most Bujold books for somebody unfamiliar with the series.
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of women so seriously that they founded a planet populated only by men. Uterine replicator have been used for reproduction, but now they are failing and there is a need to import fresh genetic material, so Ethan is sent to Klein Station to pick up new materials.On Klein Station, Ethan encounters betrayal and conspiracies from galactic powers that isolated Athosians have little understanding of. His only ally is Elli Quinn of the Free Dendarii mercenaries.
Wild adventures ensue, with the usual amount of double-crosses, mysteries, and sudden plot twists, all of which are handled well and are a sufficient reason to read the book. But the greatest pleasure in this story for me is the Bulold's world-building. She has really thought about Athos and about Klein Station, and she creates them as plausible places, showing what they are like. And, as another reviewer has properly pointed out, she shows the uniqueness of these societies not with long chunks of exposition that break up the story, or characters who deliver implausible lectures on the differences between their societies and 20th Century Earth, but by allowing you to see events from the perspective of people from those societies.
This isn't Bujold's best. But it's an illustration that Bujold, even a bit off form, is still better than most and a very rewarding writer.
Because this book doesn't include Miles Vorkosigan and his complicated personal issues, it will be an easier read than most Bujold books for somebody unfamiliar with the series.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
Ethan of Athos is listed as the sixth novel in the Vorkosigan Saga, and within the context of the series is an oddity. All the other series have to do with events surrounding the Vorkosigans of the planet Barrayar and most of them center on Miles Vorkosigan, one of my literary heartthrobs. No
That makes things tricky in several ways--all the more because this was written in the 1980s. Because first and foremost this is a society with a misogynist basis--and certainly a homosexual one and written in an age when gay marriage and raising of families was unheard of. Yet Bujold manages to make Ethan very sympathetic, and lets him interact with a strong woman character in ways that while it does change how he sees women, doesn't change his basic orientation or that of his society--and doesn't do this in any heavy-handed way. Instead, like the other Vorkosigan books I've read, this is fun, entertaining, fast-paced action adventure. I have to tip my hat to that, even if I did miss Miles.
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Vorkogans appear in this book though--it's just set in the same universe--so this could possibly stand alone. One of the aspects of Bujold's Vorkosigan universe is that this is an interstellar society with quite advanced reproductive technology including artificial wombs. On Athos, this technology has been used to create an all male society that censors the very existence of females they see as demonic. Ethan is sent out of that world in order to obtain new ovarian material to sustain their society.That makes things tricky in several ways--all the more because this was written in the 1980s. Because first and foremost this is a society with a misogynist basis--and certainly a homosexual one and written in an age when gay marriage and raising of families was unheard of. Yet Bujold manages to make Ethan very sympathetic, and lets him interact with a strong woman character in ways that while it does change how he sees women, doesn't change his basic orientation or that of his society--and doesn't do this in any heavy-handed way. Instead, like the other Vorkosigan books I've read, this is fun, entertaining, fast-paced action adventure. I have to tip my hat to that, even if I did miss Miles.
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LibraryThing member fuzzi
When a shipment of necessary genetic material does not arrive on Athos, a planet inhabited only by males, Dr. Ethan Urquhart goes in search of a new source of biologics necessary for his planet's existence. On Kline Station Ethan lands in the middle of intrigue, espionage, and violence, all areas
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of humanity's characteristics with which he has no experience. Good story, with plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing until the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member ChrisRiesbeck
One of the weaker earlier Vorkosigan novels. The premise of a planet that has fled all contact with women is never convincingly defended. It appears to come from very old-fashioned religious roots steeped in the notion of women and sin-- but this religion is just fine with homosexuality. Meanwhile,
Skippable.
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the other planets seem to be doggedly heterosexual and queer is a derogatory term. While Miles Vorkosigan never appears, the primary character, Ethan, is cut from the same cloth -- smart and competent as everyone else can see, but in his own head inept and always failing. Elli Quinn from the previous novels remains a cipher throughout. The plot is fine, but ties up a little too neatly.Skippable.
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LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
Although this is "#3 in the Vorkosigan saga," it's really a stand-alone novel featuring the titular Ethan as the protagonist. Ethan is a medical doctor born & raised on Athos, a gender-separatist colony planet inhabited solely by men. The planet's out-of-the-way location and reputation as a
However, Athos is in need of fresh ovarian tissue for their artificial replicators. After a mail-order delivery turns out to be unusable garbage, the colony decides to send Dr. Ethan on a business trip off-planet to personally select the medical supplies needed... a trip on which he will have to personally interact with (shock! horror!) females!
What's fun, of course, is that one of the women in question turns out to be Elli Quinn, and the mild-mannered Ethan is unwittingly drawn into a web of spies, assassins and unethical bioengineers.
A well-plotted, entertaining adventure, but I did find some of the bits about the whole men-only society to be a bit cliched... Still, enjoyed both the humor and the action.
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cultural backwater means it doesn't get much traffic, and the men of Athos are isolated and fearful of the outside world - especially women.However, Athos is in need of fresh ovarian tissue for their artificial replicators. After a mail-order delivery turns out to be unusable garbage, the colony decides to send Dr. Ethan on a business trip off-planet to personally select the medical supplies needed... a trip on which he will have to personally interact with (shock! horror!) females!
What's fun, of course, is that one of the women in question turns out to be Elli Quinn, and the mild-mannered Ethan is unwittingly drawn into a web of spies, assassins and unethical bioengineers.
A well-plotted, entertaining adventure, but I did find some of the bits about the whole men-only society to be a bit cliched... Still, enjoyed both the humor and the action.
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LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: Athos is one of the most isolated planets in the galactic community, which is exactly how the inhabitants like it. It's a planet entirely of men, where contact with off-planet sources is strictly limited, and each next generation is conceived in vitro and incubated in uterine replicators.
Dr. Ethan Urquhart is the head of one of Athos's District Reproduction Centers, and he is well aware of the grave prospects for his planet's future. When a very expensive order of ovarian tissue from off-world turns out to be useless, Ethan is chosen for a vital but unprecedented mission: to go off-world himself, find some replacement cell cultures, and personally safeguard them on their way back to Athos.
Ethan only gets as far as the transfer hub of Kline Station before things start to go wrong. The enormous space station is overwhelming enough for someone who has never before seen, let alone been forced to interact with, women. But Ethan has bigger problems on his plate as he swiftly becomes tangled in a plot that involves spies, military operatives, subterfuge, murder, and a fugitive carrying something that could change the fate of the human race forever.
Review: I'm afraid my reviews of Lois McMaster Bujold's books, and of the Vorkosigan Saga in particular, are in danger of becoming repetitive. My opinion of almost all of her books boils down to: Love her! Read them! And Ethan of Athos is no exception. Bujold's got an uncanny ability to create multidimensional, flawed, and loveable characters in a very short space. Even though Ethan is almost painfully naïve throughout the book, it's hard not to sympathize with him and cheer for him right from the beginning.
Bujold's also got a deft hand with dialogue; the characters have just the right amount of snarky wit to keep things lively without losing the rhythms of how real people talk. The same sense of humor is present throughout the book -- I'm still giggling about one of the parts with the newts -- but it's well-blended with the action, the politics, and the emotional pathos that make up the rest of the story. The whole thing moves along quickly, telling a complete story in a lean seven hours of audiobook -- no unnecessary or wasted scenes here.
Ethan of Athos also showcases how good Bujold can be at introducing more serious topics in her fiction, without having the story become entirely about The Issues. In this case, the story on the surface is essentially a spy thriller, but there are deeper layers dealing with sexism, the rights of the individual vs. the society, and homophobia. The sexism angle is the most obvious; after all, Athos is a society founded for the express purpose of protecting men from the evil, corrupting influence of women. Watching Ethan deal with the contrast between his indoctrinated beliefs and the reality of meeting actual women was fascinating, and I appreciated that Bujold left him not-quite-converted and still grappling with his prejudices at the end of the book, rather than taking the easier but less-realistic path of a complete epiphany.
I also found it fascinating that while Ethan is dealing with his own sexism, he also has to deal with others' homophobia against Athosians (who are, after all, actually trying to recruit their children to bolster their planet's flagging genetic diversity). There's a very interesting interplay between various characters' perceptions, prejudices, upbringings, and experiences that hums away beneath the surface, raising questions and making the reader think without competing with the narrative flow of the story.
As per usual, Grover Gardner does a wonderful job with the narration. His voice blends seamlessly into those of the characters, making it easy for listeners to lose themselves in the story. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Ethan of Athos is set in the Vorkosigan universe, but only mentions Miles in passing. Commander Elli Quinn of the Dendarii Mercenary Fleet is a major character in this book, but she's introduced well enough that it could easily be read independently of (or as an introduction to) the larger series.
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This system has worked for hundreds of years, but now Athos is facing a serious problem: their carefully cultured lines of ovarian tissue, the same cell lines that have provided half of the genetic material of every Athosian for centuries, are failing.Dr. Ethan Urquhart is the head of one of Athos's District Reproduction Centers, and he is well aware of the grave prospects for his planet's future. When a very expensive order of ovarian tissue from off-world turns out to be useless, Ethan is chosen for a vital but unprecedented mission: to go off-world himself, find some replacement cell cultures, and personally safeguard them on their way back to Athos.
Ethan only gets as far as the transfer hub of Kline Station before things start to go wrong. The enormous space station is overwhelming enough for someone who has never before seen, let alone been forced to interact with, women. But Ethan has bigger problems on his plate as he swiftly becomes tangled in a plot that involves spies, military operatives, subterfuge, murder, and a fugitive carrying something that could change the fate of the human race forever.
Review: I'm afraid my reviews of Lois McMaster Bujold's books, and of the Vorkosigan Saga in particular, are in danger of becoming repetitive. My opinion of almost all of her books boils down to: Love her! Read them! And Ethan of Athos is no exception. Bujold's got an uncanny ability to create multidimensional, flawed, and loveable characters in a very short space. Even though Ethan is almost painfully naïve throughout the book, it's hard not to sympathize with him and cheer for him right from the beginning.
Bujold's also got a deft hand with dialogue; the characters have just the right amount of snarky wit to keep things lively without losing the rhythms of how real people talk. The same sense of humor is present throughout the book -- I'm still giggling about one of the parts with the newts -- but it's well-blended with the action, the politics, and the emotional pathos that make up the rest of the story. The whole thing moves along quickly, telling a complete story in a lean seven hours of audiobook -- no unnecessary or wasted scenes here.
Ethan of Athos also showcases how good Bujold can be at introducing more serious topics in her fiction, without having the story become entirely about The Issues. In this case, the story on the surface is essentially a spy thriller, but there are deeper layers dealing with sexism, the rights of the individual vs. the society, and homophobia. The sexism angle is the most obvious; after all, Athos is a society founded for the express purpose of protecting men from the evil, corrupting influence of women. Watching Ethan deal with the contrast between his indoctrinated beliefs and the reality of meeting actual women was fascinating, and I appreciated that Bujold left him not-quite-converted and still grappling with his prejudices at the end of the book, rather than taking the easier but less-realistic path of a complete epiphany.
I also found it fascinating that while Ethan is dealing with his own sexism, he also has to deal with others' homophobia against Athosians (who are, after all, actually trying to recruit their children to bolster their planet's flagging genetic diversity). There's a very interesting interplay between various characters' perceptions, prejudices, upbringings, and experiences that hums away beneath the surface, raising questions and making the reader think without competing with the narrative flow of the story.
As per usual, Grover Gardner does a wonderful job with the narration. His voice blends seamlessly into those of the characters, making it easy for listeners to lose themselves in the story. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Ethan of Athos is set in the Vorkosigan universe, but only mentions Miles in passing. Commander Elli Quinn of the Dendarii Mercenary Fleet is a major character in this book, but she's introduced well enough that it could easily be read independently of (or as an introduction to) the larger series.
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LibraryThing member MrsLee
The planet of Athos is a one-gender planet. The colony was begun by a group of religious brethren who believed that women were the root of all evil. They brought ovarian cultures with them when they began and have been using them for over 200 years to reproduce. The geneticists remove the X gene so
As a story, it was a lot of good fun. I did get a bit tired of "sparking" eyes. One thing I love about Bujold, is that she stretches your mind about medical ethics and "what ifs." This was certainly such a read. What if we had the capability to make a one gender race of people? Should we do it? Would it be healthy? Would it be wise?
The author subtly gets you to think about these questions when she takes Ethan off of Athos and exposes him to women and the rest of the world. This was a pretty great read on several levels.
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that all babies are born male from replicator machines. The problem is, the original ovaries are running down, dying out and there are no more to use because the planet is extremely isolated from the rest of the galaxy. Hence, Ethan's mission. Go buy some more ovaries.As a story, it was a lot of good fun. I did get a bit tired of "sparking" eyes. One thing I love about Bujold, is that she stretches your mind about medical ethics and "what ifs." This was certainly such a read. What if we had the capability to make a one gender race of people? Should we do it? Would it be healthy? Would it be wise?
The author subtly gets you to think about these questions when she takes Ethan off of Athos and exposes him to women and the rest of the world. This was a pretty great read on several levels.
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LibraryThing member clong
Given its subject matter, I was a bit skeptical about this book coming in, but I'd have to say that Bujold did a very nice job with a potentially very tricky subject. Planet Athos is a planet inhabited only by men, but Ethan of Athos is not really about a homosexual world. It's more a funny and fun
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adventure story about a man who comes from a homosexual world. It was interesting to read this book about a month after having read A Bertram Chandler's Spartan Planet, which is similarly about what happens when a traditional heterosexual society collides with a male only society. While the Chandler is teen male escapist fantasy, Bujold treats the subject in a much more mature, intelligent, and honest way. The protagonist Urquhart and his foil Quinn (a female mercenary on a mission for Miles Vorkosigan's Admiral Naismith persona) are likable characters, while Cee and the Cetagandan bad guys are drawn in sufficiently fluctuating shades of gray that you are left wondering about their motivations. The plot is fairly thin and driven by lots of coincidences, but the denouement was surprising, intriguing, and even a little bit challenging. I'd recommend this book to all but the most fervent homophobes. Show Less
LibraryThing member duende
Not enough Miles! (Actually, no Miles, at all, beyond a couple mentions of his name.)
I was amused by the idea of the monks of Mt Athos founding a colony world, and using reproductive technology to ensure that only male babies would be born. My hopes that Bujold would at least touch on the issues of
I was amused by the idea of the monks of Mt Athos founding a colony world, and using reproductive technology to ensure that only male babies would be born. My hopes that Bujold would at least touch on the issues of
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a world that entirely negates the value of the female half of the human equation were not met, which is one reason I couldn't rate the book any higher. It was an ok story, but more like an extended short story than a novel. None of the characters felt compelling, and the plot and villians were pretty lackluster. Only one use of "sardonic", though, so that's an improvement. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
In one word, this book was Cute. It wasn't very deep, no great overall ethical dilemma, just a guy trying to save his planet and way of life. A bit of intrigue, a mercenary space captain (Female of course), and a strange kid the result of mad scientists genetic tinkering.
This book could have gone
This book could have gone
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all deep and painful, but then it wouldn't have been a fun romp in a space station. For those a bit squeamish about the topic, theres little mention of romance and our hero Ethan is pure of heart with eyes only for his mission. Show Less
LibraryThing member Finxy
Don't start this one thinking Miles is in it. You'll only be disappointed. The little guy is mentioned quite a bit though and one of the major characters is Elli Quinn, some might remember her from The Warrior's Apprentice. The main protagonist is this chap Ethan. He lives on a male only planet
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inhabited by blokes who live in superstitious dread of women (otherwise known as uterine replicators with legs). The fun starts when he has to leave his home planet in search or a replacement supply of ovarian cultures to replace the failing existing cultures, without which his society can't reproduce. Due to massive culture shock (women everywhere) Ethan soon gets up to his neck in trouble. It's all quite light hearted but very amusing. Show Less
LibraryThing member crazybatcow
It stands alone from the "series" though there are recurring characters you'll recognize if you've read others in the series.
The story is fast and interesting. I'm not a big fan of the "women as foreign and misunderstood" theme in it, but I suppose that's the premise of Athos. There isn't much
He did alright. The story is enjoyable. There's some fighting and some mystery but no blood 'n gore, or sex.
The story is fast and interesting. I'm not a big fan of the "women as foreign and misunderstood" theme in it, but I suppose that's the premise of Athos. There isn't much
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explanation as to why Athos was made into a woman-less world (not sure how one could explain this in any sensible way) or much investigation of the issues that would arise in an all-male world but I suppose the point of the story was to see how Ethan did in the big bad world.He did alright. The story is enjoyable. There's some fighting and some mystery but no blood 'n gore, or sex.
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LibraryThing member JenneB
This one was funnier than most of this series, and it was kind of nice to be in the same universe but have a break from Miles Vorkosigan (not that I dislike him, but it gets a bit tiring hearing about the brittle bones and no-I'm-not-a-mutant-it's-teratogenic all the time>).
Plus the whole sort-of
Plus the whole sort-of
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Gay Shaker planet society was interesting. My only problem with it was that the ending was rushed; I wanted to know more about how everything turned out when he got back. How are you gonna keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen Kline Station? Show Less
LibraryThing member TadAD
It passed an afternoon but that's about it. Ethan was just a little too gee whillickers for me, a little too afraid of the demonic aura of females corrupting him against his power to resist, to be creditable as a top-flight scientist. I found myself wondering if the genetics lab had a sign on it
There was something almost of 1940s science fiction about the writing: naive, simplistic, little true depth to relationships. Although, I doubt 1940s science fiction would have applied itself so positively to a homosexual society. :-D
An interesting discussion about this book would be on the (intentional? unintentional?) sub-story that it's nurture not nature that determines.
I don't worship Bujold but I do enjoy some of her books. However, this wasn't anywhere near her best. Readable but eminently forgettable. It would have been twice the book if she had decided actually to grapple with the social issues she raised.
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that said "NO GIЯLZ !" The plot was a little too lopsided: frothy in the beginning but weighty and portentous at the end.There was something almost of 1940s science fiction about the writing: naive, simplistic, little true depth to relationships. Although, I doubt 1940s science fiction would have applied itself so positively to a homosexual society. :-D
An interesting discussion about this book would be on the (intentional? unintentional?) sub-story that it's nurture not nature that determines.
I don't worship Bujold but I do enjoy some of her books. However, this wasn't anywhere near her best. Readable but eminently forgettable. It would have been twice the book if she had decided actually to grapple with the social issues she raised.
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LibraryThing member satyridae
Sweet and funny and twisted, this novel takes any number of SF tropes and turns 'em inside out. I love Ethan, full of outrage and indignation till he finds himself alone in the corridor. Have I said that I LOVE this series? I do, I so do.
LibraryThing member mossjon
3.5 stars
Miles is completely absent from this Vorkosigan series installment. Elli Quinn returns, with a new face and a new mission. The story is told mostly from the point-of-view of Ethan. Again, the theme swirls around genetics and reproduction, but definitely with a twist. The flip side of the
Even though I missed Miles, Elli and Ethan managed to keep me hopping and flipping pages. Nearly all the action takes place on the Kline space station. Mystery, torture, murder, galactic genetic experiments, political intrigue bordering on genocide - just about everything you've come to expect from Bujold's imagination.
A fun, fast read and a nice addition to the Vorkosigan series.
Miles is completely absent from this Vorkosigan series installment. Elli Quinn returns, with a new face and a new mission. The story is told mostly from the point-of-view of Ethan. Again, the theme swirls around genetics and reproduction, but definitely with a twist. The flip side of the
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female controlled genetic finesse of Cetaganda proves to be Athos, an all male planet rapidly running out of viable ovary cultures at their Rep Centers. When the batch of new ovaries is sabatoged, Athos sends Ethos to personally select, purchase and escort the replacements. Even though I missed Miles, Elli and Ethan managed to keep me hopping and flipping pages. Nearly all the action takes place on the Kline space station. Mystery, torture, murder, galactic genetic experiments, political intrigue bordering on genocide - just about everything you've come to expect from Bujold's imagination.
A fun, fast read and a nice addition to the Vorkosigan series.
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LibraryThing member richardderus
First time I thought of sci-fi as queer-able. Of course, author makes the character have no choice about it...the whole planet's womanless (like that would suit queers, hah). Enjoyable, because the author's got talent.
LibraryThing member mephistia
Bujold is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, as her descriptive writing and masterful weaving of varied plotlines are adept at capturing the imagination and holding a reader's attention.
Ethan of Athos looked at the possible ramifications of religion in a new and interesting way, and
Ethan of Athos looked at the possible ramifications of religion in a new and interesting way, and
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allowed for the determination of the human spirit to overcome and adapt. Show Less
LibraryThing member ShiraC
A very fun read. Miles is absent (at least physically), putting Elli Quinn in the hotseat. Center stage belongs to Dr. Ethan Farquart, though, and he is a first-rate creation. Explores the feminist question of what society could be like if women were freed from reproductive necessities. Answer --
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women could be dispensed with altogether... sort of. But it turns out that mothers will have their revenge, individually and collectively. Read this one for the plot, the characters AND a glimpse of a radically different, and yet fundamentally familiar, society. Show Less
LibraryThing member grizzle
Ethan is from a isolated planet where women are no more than a frightening myth. In order to renew the organic material needed to continue cloning children, Ethan is sent out on a dangerous mission.
Publication
Nesfa Pr (2003), Edition: First Trade, 224 pages
Subjects
Original language
English
Original publication date
1986-12
Physical description
199 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
1886778396 / 9781886778399