Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
New York : BAEN Books, 2000.
Description
The popular adventures of Miles Vorkosigan, a clever and outlandish science fiction hero for the modern era, continue in these three tales. In "The Mountains of Mourning," Miles is dispatched to a back-country region of Barrayar, where he must act as detective, judge, and executioner in a controversial murder case. In "Labyrinth," Miles adopts his alternate persona as Dendarii Mercenary Admiral Naismith for an undercover mission to rescue an important research geneticist from Jackson's Whole...
User reviews
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
General Summary: Borders of Infinity is not a novel proper, but rather a collection of Miles Vorkosigan novellas. All three deal with Miles (who is deformed from a prenatal gas attack on his mother) as he must use his considerable intellect get out of – and occasionally in to – trouble.
The
“The Mountains of Mourning” takes place immediately following Miles’s graduation from the Barrayaran military academy. He’s returned home to his family home with plans for a little bit of relaxation… plans that are swiftly cut short. A woman from a remote mountain village has arrived at Vorkosigan Surleau, demanding Count Vorkosigan’s Justice for the murder of her infant. Miles’s father decides to send Miles to investigate and arbitrate in his stead, and so Miles must face head-on the rural prejudice against mutations if he is to get to the truth of the matter.
This was my favorite story of the three, and not only because it featured a cameo appearance by Miles’s parents. (Aside: Hi Cordelia! I still think you’re awesome!) While Miles’s disability comes up quite often in the series, it doesn’t actually inconvenience him that much – his personality and intelligence usually more than compensate for his physical shortcomings. Therefore, it was really interesting to see him in a situation that puts his appearance into such stark relief, and to watch him struggle with a deeply-ingrained problem that can’t be readily solved by being clever and charming.
“Labyrinth” starts with Miles and the Dendarii fleet making a pick-up from Jackson’s Whole, a planet that specializes in ethics-free genetic engineering. However, the doctor they’re supposed to be transporting refuses to leave without some of his genetic samples – samples that are being incubated inside a prototype engineered super-soldier. To complicate matters, this soldier is being held prisoner inside the compound of one of the two leading rival genetic companies, so Miles must stage a rescue op… but what he finds isn’t exactly human.
I enjoyed the bulk of this story quite a bit. It’s an interesting set-up, there are plenty of possibilities for Bujold’s blend of dry humor and ethical dilemmas, the action clicks along at a good pace, and we get to see some more of the infamous Jackson’s Whole. However, the whole thing was soured by one detail that is surely reflective of my own innate prejudices. I’d like to think I’m fairly open-minded, but the idea of Miles – tiny, brittle-boned Miles – getting physical with an eight-foot-tall fanged quasi-werewolf? Not sexy, and the “…really? Her?” factor majorly distracted me from the rest of the story. I did appreciate the return of the Quaddies (from Falling Free), though.
“Borders of Infinity” is without question the darkest of the bunch. It starts with Miles being thrown into a Cetagandan prison – not a normal prison, but a wide flat expanse covered by an impenetrable dome. He is immediately set upon by a gang of toughs, and relieved of his sleeping roll and clothing… and things go downhill from there. Now Miles has to escape, with only the help of a seemingly crazed religious zealot. Miles has gotten out of impossible situations before, but this one might be a little more impossible than most.
I was simultaneously impressed and disturbed by this story. It turns out that Bujold’s talent at world-building doesn’t only cover the nicer intricacies of her created universes. Her description of the Cetagandan prison that follows the letter of the human rights laws while defying their spirit was brutally realistic enough that it gave me chills. This story also showcases a slightly darker side of Miles – the horrible situation leading him to some actions that, while necessary, were distinctly un-Miles-like. I also thought the story was a little too cagey about explaining why Miles is in prison in the first place; it’s used to a good end, but it initially left me wondering if I’d missed something.
Gardner does his usual great job with the narration; it’s come to the point where he just *is* the voice of Miles in my head, and I can’t imagine anyone else doing it better.
Recommendation: Within the Vorkosigan Universe, “Mountains of Morning” takes place after The Warrior’s Apprentice, while the other two stories occur at more-or-less the same time as Ethan of Athos, and the framing story is after Miles gets back from Earth in Brothers at Arms. While they could theoretically be read as stand-alones – the first one in particular – they’re much richer for being read in place with the rest of the series. None of the stories has the same oomph as some of the full-length novels, but I certainly didn’t mind spending time with Miles on a few mini-adventures. 4 out of 5 stars.
The
Show More
three shorter works are linked into a novel by a framing story that involves Barrayaran Security Chief Illyan visiting Miles in the hospital, and demanding an accounting for some of the more unusual expenses that Miles’s Dendarii mercenary fleet has accrued. It’s a pretty weak pretense, especially given that it’s only clear in one of the three stories where the expenses come into play at all. Fortunately, though, the framing bits are kept quite short, mostly letting the stories speak for themselves.“The Mountains of Mourning” takes place immediately following Miles’s graduation from the Barrayaran military academy. He’s returned home to his family home with plans for a little bit of relaxation… plans that are swiftly cut short. A woman from a remote mountain village has arrived at Vorkosigan Surleau, demanding Count Vorkosigan’s Justice for the murder of her infant. Miles’s father decides to send Miles to investigate and arbitrate in his stead, and so Miles must face head-on the rural prejudice against mutations if he is to get to the truth of the matter.
This was my favorite story of the three, and not only because it featured a cameo appearance by Miles’s parents. (Aside: Hi Cordelia! I still think you’re awesome!) While Miles’s disability comes up quite often in the series, it doesn’t actually inconvenience him that much – his personality and intelligence usually more than compensate for his physical shortcomings. Therefore, it was really interesting to see him in a situation that puts his appearance into such stark relief, and to watch him struggle with a deeply-ingrained problem that can’t be readily solved by being clever and charming.
“Labyrinth” starts with Miles and the Dendarii fleet making a pick-up from Jackson’s Whole, a planet that specializes in ethics-free genetic engineering. However, the doctor they’re supposed to be transporting refuses to leave without some of his genetic samples – samples that are being incubated inside a prototype engineered super-soldier. To complicate matters, this soldier is being held prisoner inside the compound of one of the two leading rival genetic companies, so Miles must stage a rescue op… but what he finds isn’t exactly human.
I enjoyed the bulk of this story quite a bit. It’s an interesting set-up, there are plenty of possibilities for Bujold’s blend of dry humor and ethical dilemmas, the action clicks along at a good pace, and we get to see some more of the infamous Jackson’s Whole. However, the whole thing was soured by one detail that is surely reflective of my own innate prejudices. I’d like to think I’m fairly open-minded, but the idea of Miles – tiny, brittle-boned Miles – getting physical with an eight-foot-tall fanged quasi-werewolf? Not sexy, and the “…really? Her?” factor majorly distracted me from the rest of the story. I did appreciate the return of the Quaddies (from Falling Free), though.
“Borders of Infinity” is without question the darkest of the bunch. It starts with Miles being thrown into a Cetagandan prison – not a normal prison, but a wide flat expanse covered by an impenetrable dome. He is immediately set upon by a gang of toughs, and relieved of his sleeping roll and clothing… and things go downhill from there. Now Miles has to escape, with only the help of a seemingly crazed religious zealot. Miles has gotten out of impossible situations before, but this one might be a little more impossible than most.
I was simultaneously impressed and disturbed by this story. It turns out that Bujold’s talent at world-building doesn’t only cover the nicer intricacies of her created universes. Her description of the Cetagandan prison that follows the letter of the human rights laws while defying their spirit was brutally realistic enough that it gave me chills. This story also showcases a slightly darker side of Miles – the horrible situation leading him to some actions that, while necessary, were distinctly un-Miles-like. I also thought the story was a little too cagey about explaining why Miles is in prison in the first place; it’s used to a good end, but it initially left me wondering if I’d missed something.
Gardner does his usual great job with the narration; it’s come to the point where he just *is* the voice of Miles in my head, and I can’t imagine anyone else doing it better.
Recommendation: Within the Vorkosigan Universe, “Mountains of Morning” takes place after The Warrior’s Apprentice, while the other two stories occur at more-or-less the same time as Ethan of Athos, and the framing story is after Miles gets back from Earth in Brothers at Arms. While they could theoretically be read as stand-alones – the first one in particular – they’re much richer for being read in place with the rest of the series. None of the stories has the same oomph as some of the full-length novels, but I certainly didn’t mind spending time with Miles on a few mini-adventures. 4 out of 5 stars.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ShiraC
Contains what I think is the best sf story ever written -- the eponymous "Borders of Infinity". The other stories aren't too shabby either.
LibraryThing member DNWilliams
A collection of three stories that appear in different anthologies, each short story addresses a turning point in Miles' life.
In 'Mountains of Mourning' The Count sends a young Miles into the mountains to solve a murder. Miles' own appearance as a 'muty' and his future as leader of the district
'Labyrinth' sets the stage for events in a later novel. Miles and Bel are on a covert mission for Illyan, though, as usual with any of Miles' missions, things don't go exactly as planned.
'Borders of Infinity' is my favorite short story in this collection. Miles on a deep undercover mission alone is a recipe for disaster. But this story, more than any other Miles story, serves to prove that Miles' manic personality solves more problems than it causes.
While none of the stories are necessary to know for events in the full-length novels, they provide fascinating filler and are as compelling as any Vorkosigan novels.
In 'Mountains of Mourning' The Count sends a young Miles into the mountains to solve a murder. Miles' own appearance as a 'muty' and his future as leader of the district
Show More
make him the perfect mediator in the death of the infant.'Labyrinth' sets the stage for events in a later novel. Miles and Bel are on a covert mission for Illyan, though, as usual with any of Miles' missions, things don't go exactly as planned.
'Borders of Infinity' is my favorite short story in this collection. Miles on a deep undercover mission alone is a recipe for disaster. But this story, more than any other Miles story, serves to prove that Miles' manic personality solves more problems than it causes.
While none of the stories are necessary to know for events in the full-length novels, they provide fascinating filler and are as compelling as any Vorkosigan novels.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JudithProctor
Three great short stories about Miles Vorkosigan, spoiled only by the useless linking narrative. Skip the conversations with Simon Illyan and just read the stories.
LibraryThing member edella
This is a very good set of three novellas set in the Miles Vorkosigan universe. There are a lot of linkages to other stories in the sequence.
The narrative which links the three novellas is set in Miles' hospital room, where he is recovering from major surgery while aged 25, just after the events
The memories of these two missions which Miles has to remember so as to answer Simon Illyan, and one earlier story of which he is reminded by Simon's questions, constitute the three stories which make up the book.
The narrative which links the three novellas is set in Miles' hospital room, where he is recovering from major surgery while aged 25, just after the events
Show More
of "Brothers in Arms." Simon Illyan, the dreaded head of Imperial Security, visits him in hospital to get a more detailed report of two missions Miles had previously carried out. (Illyan needs the details in order to respond to awkward questions being asked by opposition politicians who hope to discredit the Prime Minister, Miles' father Aral Vorkosigan, by suggesting that Miles has been padding his expenses.) The memories of these two missions which Miles has to remember so as to answer Simon Illyan, and one earlier story of which he is reminded by Simon's questions, constitute the three stories which make up the book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member iayork
Great stories to add to series - but watch what you buy: The stories of Miles are wonderful and Lois McMaster Bujold remains one of the most talented writers in sci-fi literature today. Her style is rapid, full of dialogue, and you hardly notice that you're reading - it's so smooth.This book is a
The first is a story of Miles' younger years when his father sends him off to judge on an issue that happened among his own people. Barrayar, unfortunately, still murders babies that are deformed. It's a short murder mystery.
The second story revolves around Jackson's whole and the dubious activities that go on there. Miles' mission is to "collect" a person; but it's never as easy as it seems.
The third is the strangest yet. Miles ends up in an enemy prison camp. At first it's not obvious how he got there, but Miles being Miles, he soon gets people moving.
Bujold's writing certainly deserves five stars, as do the stories about Miles. The reason I give this only four stars is that two out of the three stories featured in previous "collections". It's very confusing to the buyer: which novel comes before which? And although Bujold has a lovely table in the back of each book to help you with the chronology, it's almost impossible to buy books that only feature the stories you want. I now own three versions of the same story, and I resent having spent money on the same thing (not to mention the waste of trees that produced the paper for this).
Show More
collection of stories about Miles, who recounts them to Simon, his boss in the imperial secret services. Miles himself is in hospital and cornered by Simon to cough up some details on the somewhat ambiguous reports Miles has been sending in. Like a rat caught in the corner, Miles has no choice but to spill the details.The first is a story of Miles' younger years when his father sends him off to judge on an issue that happened among his own people. Barrayar, unfortunately, still murders babies that are deformed. It's a short murder mystery.
The second story revolves around Jackson's whole and the dubious activities that go on there. Miles' mission is to "collect" a person; but it's never as easy as it seems.
The third is the strangest yet. Miles ends up in an enemy prison camp. At first it's not obvious how he got there, but Miles being Miles, he soon gets people moving.
Bujold's writing certainly deserves five stars, as do the stories about Miles. The reason I give this only four stars is that two out of the three stories featured in previous "collections". It's very confusing to the buyer: which novel comes before which? And although Bujold has a lovely table in the back of each book to help you with the chronology, it's almost impossible to buy books that only feature the stories you want. I now own three versions of the same story, and I resent having spent money on the same thing (not to mention the waste of trees that produced the paper for this).
Show Less
LibraryThing member laughingwoman6
The very first Vorkosigan story I ever read was The Mountains of Mourning in an anthology edited by Connie Willis. I loved it, found Miles' character to be hugely compelling and wanted to read more. Even years later I remember the story, Miles as a young man just out of military training is
Show More
approached by a young woman desperately searching for the murderer of her baby. Miles travels into the back country to investigate the murder. He is a deformed man living in a society in which for some people it is okay to murder babies if the are "muties" ( the murdered child had a cleft palate) so the story touches on some of his own feelings about that. What enriches the story from my point of view is the essential decentness and humanity that makes up Miles' character (qualities he no doubt received form his Betan mother). This strong sense of duty and his wonderfully compassionate nature really enrich these books which brings it a step above much of the sub-genre of space opera. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
There are two works by Bujold to be found under this title and both are part of her Vorkosigan Saga featuring Miles Vorkosigan. One is a grouping of three novellas with a framing story that includes the short story "Borders of Infinity" as well as "Mountains of Mourning" and "Labyrinth." The story
Show More
is also included in the omnibus edition of Miles Errant along with Brothers in Arms and Mirror Dance. This review and rating is for the short story alone, which epitomizes so much I love in Miles. Brain over brawn. Strip Miles down to nothing, naked, and he can still talk and think his way out of anything. Show Less
LibraryThing member satyridae
Yes, another one in the Vorkosigan saga. I can't stop reading them. I love Miles. Oh, how I love Miles. This novella shows Miles at his indomitable best and it's got some stand up and cheer moments. Bujold is really, really good at the novella-length work, I'm coming to understand. She tightens up
Show More
her plots a little and really delivers a lot of emotional wallop. This story of how Miles comes naked and friendless to a prison camp and what happens next was too exciting and involving while I was reading it for me to notice the subtleties going on just below the surface. But once it was over, it started to echo and reverberate. Well done indeed. Show Less
LibraryThing member hailelib
This book contains three of the shorter tales about Miles Vorkosigan. I read Labyrinth and The Borders of Infinity but all three are within a short framing story where Simon Illyan is questioning Miles about some of his adventures. These are quite good with Labyrinth taking place on Jackson's Whole
Recommended, especially for those who have read others from the series.
Show More
where the Dendarii are to pick up a scientist who wants to leave the House he is contracted to and where everything that can go wrong does; then, The Borders of Infinity concerns a prisoner of war camp and what happens when Miles finds himself confined there.Recommended, especially for those who have read others from the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kenzen
Collection of three stories from different points in Miles Vorkosigan's life. I liked the first one the best.
LibraryThing member JenneB
This is really three short stories tied together with a flashback framing device, and they all take place at different times in the Barrayar chronology which makes it difficult to keep track of where you are, but all that really doesn't matter because this book is awesome.
I especially loved the
I especially loved the
Show More
story of Taura and her "do you think I'm human" test (which seemed a bit unreliable considering the location and stress of the situation, but whatever, it was still awesome.) Show Less
LibraryThing member seehuhn
Three Miles Vorkosigan stories, combined into one novel with the help of a thin wrapper story where Miles recalls exploits from his past. In "Mountains of Mourning", Miles solves an infanticide case in a backwater mountain region of Barrayar. In the second story, "Labyrinth", Miles encounters a
Show More
bio-engineered super soldier on Jackson's Whole. Finally, in "The Borders of Infinity" we see Miles trapped in a prisoners of war camp. Show Less
LibraryThing member fuzzi
Miles is interred in a Cetagandan POW camp, in search of a war hero, but finds himself using his wits and powers of persuasion to not only survive, but to take charge of the situation. Good read.
LibraryThing member gypsysmom
Miles Vorkosigan is a Vor Lord. What is a Vor Lord? From the back of the book "Officer in the Barryaran Imperial Space Service, Supreme commander of a mercenary company, detective, judge and executioner in a back-country murder, rescuer of damsels deeply distressed and mole in an escape-proof
Show More
planetary POW camp". Really good space theatre. Show Less
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Very good story in this very good series.
LibraryThing member Phrim
Borders of Infinity is a short story in which Miles is, without explanation, dropped into a Cetagandan POW camp. The Cetagandans meticulously stick to the letter of international treaties with regards to the treatment of POWs, but still manage to foster a Lord of the Flies-like environment for the
Show More
prisoners. Of course, it's up to Miles to use his fast-talking and disregard for his own personal safety to talk his way to the top of the prisoner hierarchy. Toward the end of the story, we're taken out of the dark as the author reveals why Miles is really there, and integrates the story into the larger picture. While I did enjoy the ending and finally figuring out what the heck was going on, for most of the story I found myself both confused about the circumstances and incredulous about Miles' travails. This one wasn't my favorite of the series, to be sure. Show Less
LibraryThing member Andorion
This rating is for the short story Borders of Infinity. A bit more serious than labyrinth and an ok read
LibraryThing member MrsLee
Three novellas, bound together by a thread of interim story which isn't terribly important and yet serves to show us a bit more of the relationship between Miles and his overseer, Simon Illyan.
A terrifically fun romp, as Miles recounts three of his missions for Simon. However improbable I find
A terrifically fun romp, as Miles recounts three of his missions for Simon. However improbable I find
Show More
Miles' hi-jinx and his wild improvisations, I love going along with the ride. He reminds me very much of Doctor Who. It doesn't matter whether something can be done or not. If it should be done, do it. Save the people. Along with that, he makes me laugh. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I have to admit to being a complete Miles fangirl. This is a set of three stories scattered through the series.
The first The Mountains of Mourning is set on Barryar, shortly after Miles finishes his military training, and you have some flashbacks to his training. Miles has to investigate the
The Second is Labyrinth, where we find out how Taura and Miles meet. Taura is such a cool character and it brings up issues with genetic research and what happens to the subjects of this research and humanity. Of course Taura isn't the purpose of the adventure, but many times it's the fact that Miles achieves his objectives and some of his own wishlists as well. I enjoyed this the most of the set.
The Borders of Infinity is the last of the set, while I remember reading the other two of this series this one is a blank. It wasn't as satisfying as the other two, Miles plotting a way out of a prison camp, is pure Miles but somehow lacking in ways, it's quite a short story, and some of it is quite obvious, but I think it's more the proximity to the other two that spoil it.
Overall this is a good read, I'd recommend it to anyone who would like to see if they would like to try Miles out, it's also made me want to hunt down the rest of the series and revisit.
The first The Mountains of Mourning is set on Barryar, shortly after Miles finishes his military training, and you have some flashbacks to his training. Miles has to investigate the
Show More
murder of a child with a minor defect. He has to face up to the discrimination of the people about defects and specifically his own defects.The Second is Labyrinth, where we find out how Taura and Miles meet. Taura is such a cool character and it brings up issues with genetic research and what happens to the subjects of this research and humanity. Of course Taura isn't the purpose of the adventure, but many times it's the fact that Miles achieves his objectives and some of his own wishlists as well. I enjoyed this the most of the set.
The Borders of Infinity is the last of the set, while I remember reading the other two of this series this one is a blank. It wasn't as satisfying as the other two, Miles plotting a way out of a prison camp, is pure Miles but somehow lacking in ways, it's quite a short story, and some of it is quite obvious, but I think it's more the proximity to the other two that spoil it.
Overall this is a good read, I'd recommend it to anyone who would like to see if they would like to try Miles out, it's also made me want to hunt down the rest of the series and revisit.
Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
2021 review:
I have read all the 3 novellas that comprise this volume before but have never read this book which has (as Bujold herself says) a sketchy framework tying them together. Having encountered these stories before, I found that they were better in the omnibus configuration without the
I have read all the 3 novellas that comprise this volume before but have never read this book which has (as Bujold herself says) a sketchy framework tying them together. Having encountered these stories before, I found that they were better in the omnibus configuration without the
Show More
framework. For readers who haven't read any of this series already, this book might be a good introduction (though personally I like starting with Cordelia in "Shards of Honor"). Show Less
Awards
Prometheus Award (Nominee — Novel — 1990)
Language
Original publication date
1989-10
ISBN
0671720937 / 9780671720933