Rating: 
Summary: Be Aware of Its Weaknesses
Review: I have very mixed feelings about the work of Lois McMaster Bujold, and I think the Spirit Ring is a great example of what's good and bad in her work. It is, lest there be any doubt, a terrific read. Bujold is a splendid wordsmith and a sterling plotter, and not a bad hand with creating real-seeming characters. She reminds me, here, of Mary Stewart, blending existing stories and concepts together in a modern style, and managing to remain true to all of it. She does the same, superficially differently, in her Science Fiction work, applying different structures to each of her works but blending them seemlessly into one realized SF world -- one book is a murder mystery, with SF bells and whistles, while another is a Comedy, in the older sense of the world. She writes good books, and they're fun to read. Bujold's politics, however, as they may be discerned from her work, are problematic. On the one hand, her work is very progressive. The female characters are strong and independent, homosexuality and bisexuality and pretty much all sexuality are seen as positive, the nuclear family isn't the only viable life model. On the other hand, her work isn't progressive at all. In the end, the strong female character always marries a strong male character, and they go off to have strong children. No matter how many times we get told that there are alternatives to the mainstream for healthy, happy lives, Bujold's characters never seem to step far from the norm. Case in point: the strong, independent female character in the Spirit Ring escapes imprisonment by well-meaning male monks, to go rescue the male character, her love interest. Well and good. But, in the end, her only actual contribution to his rescue is to have their house ready for him when he arrives. We begin with a statement of equality and the viability of non-stereotypical ways of living and thinking, and end with a reaffirmation of the patriarchal model, with the soon-to-be wife having the home prepared when her soon-to-be-husband gets home from what amounts to work. This is an unfortunately common pattern to Bujold's work. Even with its weaknesses, though, it's a terrific read: very rich, very logical, a terrific first fantasy from a great science fiction author.
Rating:
Summary: Be Aware of Its Weaknesses
Review: I have very mixed feelings about the work of Lois McMaster Bujold, and I think the Spirit Ring is a great example of what's good and bad in her work. It is, lest there be any doubt, a terrific read. Bujold is a splendid wordsmith and a sterling plotter, and not a bad hand with creating real-seeming characters. She reminds me, here, of Mary Stewart, blending existing stories and concepts together in a modern style, and managing to remain true to all of it. She does the same, superficially differently, in her Science Fiction work, applying different structures to each of her works but blending them seemlessly into one realized SF world -- one book is a murder mystery, with SF bells and whistles, while another is a Comedy, in the older sense of the world. She writes good books, and they're fun to read. Bujold's politics, however, as they may be discerned from her work, are problematic. On the one hand, her work is very progressive. The female characters are strong and independent, homosexuality and bisexuality and pretty much all sexuality are seen as positive, the nuclear family isn't the only viable life model. On the other hand, her work isn't progressive at all. In the end, the strong female character always marries a strong male character, and they go off to have strong children. No matter how many times we get told that there are alternatives to the mainstream for healthy, happy lives, Bujold's characters never seem to step far from the norm. Case in point: the strong, independent female character in the Spirit Ring escapes imprisonment by well-meaning male monks, to go rescue the male character, her love interest. Well and good. But, in the end, her only actual contribution to his rescue is to have their house ready for him when he arrives. We begin with a statement of equality and the viability of non-stereotypical ways of living and thinking, and end with a reaffirmation of the patriarchal model, with the soon-to-be wife having the home prepared when her soon-to-be-husband gets home from what amounts to work. This is an unfortunately common pattern to Bujold's work. Even with its weaknesses, though, it's a terrific read: very rich, very logical, a terrific first fantasy from a great science fiction author.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointment
Review: If you are a fan of ms. Bujold's Vorkosigan books, don't bother with this one. This book is an attempt to write serious fantasy, but its attention of details on medevial time Italy crosses the line to boring. I really tried to like it, but I can't stand it when the main characters are fools.Loan this from a friend or try to read few pages before bying this.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Bujold's usual fare, but great work, nonetheless!
Review: Lois McMaster Bujold is known for her hard sf writing. However, with THE SPIRIT RING, she shows she can handle fantasy as well. A great read and a good time! Pamela Adams
Rating:
Summary: Lighthearted and entertaining
Review: Low key fantasy from Bujold. Not one of her best, but still amusing.
Rating: 
Summary: Not an Honor Harrington story
Review: Only three stars this time. The book was actually quite good, but from the writer of the Honor Harrington series, one waits a bit more. I apologize from Lois McMaster Bujold, but when compared with the rest of her/his (?) books this one really was not among the best. From some unknown writer I probably would have given at least one star more. The characters are less sympatehic and the story moves with a very slow pace the first half of the book. Still a nice story with a happy ending. Don't regret buying it, just hoped for something more.
Rating:
Summary: Not an Honor Harrington story
Review: Only three stars this time. The book was actually quite good, but from the writer of the Honor Harrington series, one waits a bit more. I apologize from Lois McMaster Bujold, but when compared with the rest of her/his (?) books this one really was not among the best. From some unknown writer I probably would have given at least one star more. The characters are less sympatehic and the story moves with a very slow pace the first half of the book. Still a nice story with a happy ending. Don't regret buying it, just hoped for something more.
Rating:
Summary: It could have been better
Review: spirit ring perhaps is an explanation to all why fantasy books function well in series and not standalones. the plot has nothing outstanding that has not been used before by other writers, nor any of the witty funny moments ms bujold created in her other novels. character developemt
(imho the author's strong point) was weak and lacked punch.
i suggest borrowing this book from your local library unless you are a collector.
read ms bujold's absolutely fantastic vorkosigan series instead!
Rating:
Summary: It could have been better
Review: spirit ring perhaps is an explanation to all why fantasy books function well in series and not standalones. the plot has nothing outstanding that has not been used before by other writers, nor any of the witty funny moments ms bujold created in her other novels. character developemt
(imho the author's strong point) was weak and lacked punch.
i suggest borrowing this book from your local library unless you are a collector.
read ms bujold's absolutely fantastic vorkosigan series instead!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent because it is funny
Review: This was the first Bujold book I happened to pick up. A medieval fantasy would not normally be a vehicle for comedy, but this one is. There are several zinger lines and a sequence involving poisoned wine that is hillarious. The book makes a serious point and makes you laugh at the same time.
|
