Description
Book SynopsisThis volume of essays continues the establishment of Lois McMaster Bujold as an important author of contemporary science fiction and fantasy. It argues persuasively that Bujold's corpus spans the distance between two full arcs of US feminism, and has anticipated or responded to several of its current concerns in ways that invite or even require theoretical exploration.
The fourteen essays collected here provide wide-ranging scholarly analyses of Bujold’s work and worlds so far, covering not only the science fiction and fantasy series, but taking into account the wealth of ancillary material inspired by her works, such as fan fiction and role-playing games. Examining the major series through a range of perspectives, including feminist readings, queer theory, and disability studies, this volume aims to establish beyond doubt the seriousness of intent behind Bujold’s various artistic projects and provide a set of rich readings of this engaging, experimental, playful, and popular author.
Trade ReviewReviews
'
Biology and Manners: Essays on the Worlds and Works of Lois McMaster Bujold advances scholarship on this important author by light-years. This collection covers nearly the entire chronological range of Bujold’s work, and gives equal attention to her Vorkosiverse science fiction and her Chalion and Sharing Knife fantasy worlds. Lee and McCormack have gathered a set of particularly strong essays applying queer theory and theological analysis to Chalion’s five-god pantheon and its interactions with humanity, and the chapters on women and reproduction are equally thought-provoking. Overall, an impressive and essential addition to Bujold studies.'
Janet Brennan Croft, editor of
Lois McMaster Bujold: Essays on a Modern Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy'
Biology and Manners substantially advances previous scholarship through its comprehensive coverage of Bujold’s fictional range, its depth, and its attention to detail. The various scholarly approaches provide a central holographic reader response to Bujold’s oeuvre that becomes three-dimensional as the chapters come together, providing a clearer image of Bujold’s literary genius as well as her empathy and subversiveness... the accessibility of the prose in these essays makes this anthology of value not only to scholars and libraries, but also to serious fans.'Sandra Lindow,
Science Fiction Studies'Biology and Manners is a compelling read. Upon completion, the reader is left with a pronounced feeling the anthology will become a foundational text that promotes future Bujold research... In these ways, Biology and Manners should prove its value to readers for years to come.'
Karen Stewart,
Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts"Overall, this collection’s use and array of theoretical approaches speaks to the range of Bujold’s writing, the need for further scholarly analysis of her works, and the impact they continue to have on her readers."
Rebecca Jones,
FoundationTable of ContentsSection 1: The Emergence of Bujold Studies
Introduction: The Emergence of Bujold Studies
Regina Yung Lee and Una McCormackThe History of Scholarship on Lois McMaster Bujold’s Science Fiction and Fantasy: A Feminist Bibliographic Essay
Robin Anne Reid
Section 2: Bujold’s Women
Untimely Graces: Gender, Failure, and Sainthood in Lois McMaster Bujold’s
Paladin of SoulsRegina Yung LeeYou Wish to Have the Curse Reversed? Traditional Narrative Motifs of Gender Reconfigured in Bujold’s
Chalion Novels
Caitlin HeringtonIn Quiet Converse: The Intertextual Speaking of Madame Vorsoisson and Miss Price
Katharine Woods
Section 3: Heroes’ Journeys
The Shape of a Hero’s Soul: Exploring the Paradox of Fate and Free Will in
The Curse of Chalion and
Paladin of SoulsC. Palmer-PatelThe Road and the River: Genre-Neering a Future in
The Sharing Knife Series
Sylvia KelsoPain Made Holy: Narratives of Disability and Pain in
The Curse of ChalionJoanne Woiak
Section 4: Potential Futures and Imagined Pasts
Queering Barrayar: The Uterine Replicator in
Gentleman Jole and the Red QueenJey Saung‘What you need is a liege lord’: Futuristic Feudalism in
The Warrior’s ApprenticeSarah LindsayWomb with a View: Ectogenesis in
Ethan of Athos and
Brave New WorldAlly Wolfe
Section 5: Holy Families
The Holy Family: Divine Queerness in
The Curse of Chalion and
The Hallowed HuntRobin Anne ReidThe Bastard Balances All: The Essential Other in Bujold’s Queer Theology
Meg MacDonald
Section 6: Beyond the Books
The Naismith Stratagem: Authenticity and Adaptation in Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan Saga: Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game
Jennifer Woodward and Peter WrightCanon Compliance and Creative Analysis in Vorkosigan Saga Fan Fiction
Kristina Busse
