Barrayar [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 2]

Cordelia's adventures continue with Lois McMaster Bujold's 1992 political thriller Barrayar. Kirk and Sam had a great time discussing this tremendous book.

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VOR-CABULARY:

• Katas - a set combination of positions and movements performed as an exercise
• Bolero - a loose waist-length jacket open at the front (comes up multiple times as something Drou is wearing)
• Vassal Secundus - Aral uses it to refer to his position as someone who is sworn directly to the Emperor
• Vassal - a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom they have vowed homage
• Secundus - Latin term meaning second or following
• Punctilio - a minute detail of conduct in a ceremony or in observance of a code
• Cosset - to pamper or treat as a pet
• Riverine - relating to, formed by, or resembling a river
• Sobriquet - nickname, referring to Aral’s title “the Butcher of Komarr”
• Inveigled - to win over by wiles
• Paroxysm - a sudden outburst, fit, or attack (as of emotion)
• Caravanserai - an inn surrounding a court in eastern countries where caravans rest at night
• Teratogenic - Harming embryonic/fetal development. Used in contrast to mutagenic, which means altering DNA.
• Iatrogenic - a condition induced unintentionally by medical treatment or diagnostic procedures
• Prole - proletarian, the laboring class
• Sibilant - a sound resembling that of the s or the sh in sash
• Commensal - A relationship between two kinds of organisms in which one obtains food or benefits from the other without damaging or benefiting it. Used by Cordelia when she is thinking about horses.
• Flinders - Splinters, fragments. Describes Cordelia’s slippers after escaping into the mountains.
• Suasion - the act of influencing or persuading
• Grubstake - material assistance (such as a loan) provided for launching an enterprise or for a person in difficult circumstances
• Duenna - an elderly woman serving as governess and companion to the younger ladies in a Spanish or Portuguese family
• Raff - as in riffraff, disreputable persons
• Villi - small finger-like projections, such as those in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food
• Belike - casual, noncommittal expression in the Dendarii hills, meaning “maybe” or “perhaps”
• Marquetry - Inlay or veneer forming decorative patterns
• Sere - dry
• Sitzkrieg - Referring to a period of inaction after Germany invaded Poland and the UK and France declared war to start WWII, but before any Allied operations in Europe. Also known as the Phoney War. A play on blitzkrieg.

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🎨 SHOW ART by Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

🎸 THEME MUSIC by Kirk Hamilton

📚 VORKOSIGAN SAGA READING ORDER

1. Shards of Honor
2. Barrayar
3. The Warrior's Apprentice
4. The Vor Game
5. Cetaganda
6. Ethan of Athos
7. Brothers in Arms
8. Borders of Infinity
9. Mirror Dance
10. Memory
11. Komarr
12. A Civil Campaign
13. Dreamweaver's Dilemma + Falling Free
14. Winterfair Gifts + Diplomatic Immunity
15. Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance
16. The Flowers of Vashnoi + Cryoburn
17. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen