Rating: 
Summary: Great Sci-Fi... With One Caveat
Review: Leo Graf is an engineering instructor, with a problem... How to teach engineering to a new race of genetically enhanced humans called 'quaddies' who have an extra set of arms instead of legs. But he has other problems as well...The quaddies are being exploited by an evil organization who considers them only 'inventory.'I really enjoyed Falling Free, but I found the progression of the story to be rather typical. We all know Leo is not going to leave things, well enough alone, don't we? So, Leo's meddling is almost inevitable. In my opinion, if Bujold had made the Quaddies exploitation a little more subtle, there might have been a bit more suspense in this department -as it is Leo would have to be a real cad to ignore the Quaddies predicament. My caveat: Personally, I could've done without Leo Romancing one of the Quaddies. I thought it was unethical for a teacher to get involved with one one of his potential students, especially considering she is less than half his age, and as naive as the Quaddies are reputed to be, it struck me as just plain wrong.. ICK. Other than that, this was another great Bujold Audiobook. Listen away. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Who actually own genetically engineered products?
Review: Ms. Bujold's novel won the 1988 Nebula Award for best science fiction novel of the year. It is centered in an orbiting workstation of a megacorporation. The corporation has genetically engineered humans (most of whom are teenagers or younger) having no legs and four arms, called quaddies, so that they are more effective and efficient in a zero gravity environment. The corporation considers them property rather than workers since it was the corporation that actually made them. A visiting welding instructor and engineer named Leo Graf sets out to free them. Actually, this novel is a part of Bujold's science fiction series, most of which are centered around members of the Vorkosigan family. The action in "Falling Free" occurs about 200 years before the action in Bujold's first novel, "Shards of Honor" (1986). The question of who is the real owner of genetically engineered products is a hot topic in biochemistry and molecular biology circles today and, believe it or not, Ms. Bujold's novel has been discussed.
Rating:
Summary: Visionary Space Adventure
Review: Richly deserves the Nebula award it received. A true space adventure with superior imagination, original thinking, characterization, psychology, and insight into motivations. Without ever directly mentioning philosophic issues of ethics, natural rights, political rights, justice, individual responsibility, or what makes a human a human, Bujold shows you all of these issues in the actions of the characters. Seemingly without effort. That is great writing. She makes you think simply as part of reading a great, visionary adventure. Here are some of the insights, not necessarily original, that Bujold illustrates even though she does not state them explicitly. Intelligent beings, however genetically engineered, cannot be molded. They will be individuals, not subordinate parts of a collective. They will necessarily develop through the process of everyday living their own psychologies, goals, and choices suited to their natures as humans. Everyone might be considered a degree of mutant in the sense that we all have different genetics, though the term is intended for more than usually significant differences. Even so, the degree of difference required is somewhat subjective and has no inherent moral significance. Love and sexual attraction are responses to values and virtues seen, or imagined, in others, not simply biological chemistry. The concept of justice includes natural rights and freedom for intelligent beings regardless of their political affiliation or designation. Neither justice nor natural right of freedom necessarily ensures any political protection against violation of your freedom or life by others. Thus, responsibility for providing for oneself (food, self-defense, etc.) is both a natural right and an obligation. People have the power to make, and are responsible for, their own choices and actions. My favorite insight points out that life is a process of effort and achievement -- tasks suitable to humans. No problems only occurs with death. "...don't be afraid of troubles, Silver. They're a sign of life."
Rating:
Summary: An earlier look at Bujold's universe, and highly enjoyable
Review: There are those who consider this below Bujold's usual standard, but I found it quite a fun novel with several highly sensitive sequences, and therefore give it five stars. It is a story to relax and enjoy, not overly analyze. It takes place 200 years before the Vorkosigan stories, and follows Leo Graf, an engineer sent to the planet Rodeo to be a welding instructor to the genetically altered Quaddies. He immediately discovers an attitude on the part of the administrators on the planet toward these mutated beings, but takes them as they are, a human species most of whom are still developing youngsters. This is primarily an adventure story with well developed human and mutated human characters. There are tender scenes such as that between Silver who's deeply attuned to music and Madame Minchenko, the project physician's wife who also is deeply musically inclined. But there's also plenty of action, and the underlying plea for respect for all forms of life. Read for enjoyment and I think you'll quite appreciate it.
Rating:
Summary: An earlier look at Bujold's universe, and highly enjoyable
Review: There are those who consider this below Bujold's usual standard, but I found it quite a fun novel with several highly sensitive sequences, and therefore give it five stars. It is a story to relax and enjoy, not overly analyze. It takes place 200 years before the Vorkosigan stories, and follows Leo Graf, an engineer sent to the planet Rodeo to be a welding instructor to the genetically altered Quaddies. He immediately discovers an attitude on the part of the administrators on the planet toward these mutated beings, but takes them as they are, a human species most of whom are still developing youngsters. This is primarily an adventure story with well developed human and mutated human characters. There are tender scenes such as that between Silver who's deeply attuned to music and Madame Minchenko, the project physician's wife who also is deeply musically inclined. But there's also plenty of action, and the underlying plea for respect for all forms of life. Read for enjoyment and I think you'll quite appreciate it.
Rating:
Summary: Graet story, greater characters.
Review: This book is only marginally in the Vorkosigan Saga, but this does not make it a minor book by Bujold. The story is breath-taking, as are all Bujold stories. But the depth of some characters (Leo Graf in particular) is maybe even better here. Bujold's remarkable humanism, which is a constant throughout her work (Ethan of Athos, Mountains of Mourning, etc.) is here at its best.
Rating:
Summary: A quiet Engineer discovers "Forward Momentum" & saves a race
Review: This book is set in the 'Vorkosigan' Universe, several hundred years prior to the birth of Miles. A huge Corporation in the Space Habitat construction business has bred a race uniquely suited for zero-gee, the "Quaddies". Not only are Quaddies quite...handy in free fall, they also are physiologically suited to long spells in orbit w/out expensive 'downtime'. A seasoned professional engineer, Leo Graf, reports to the Rodeo system to conduct training classes for the Quaddies - at first he is put off by their unusual appearance, but soon becomes an enthusiast. Technological progress in the form of artificial gravity comes along to steal the Quaddie's rice bowl - most of their cost advantage over humans is nullified in one swift blow. As the Corporation gropes for a way to rid itself of a now costly, risky and worthless investment, Leo finds himself remoreslessly caught up in extermporizing a scheme to save the Quaddies from extermination via cost-accounting hell. Putting his life, his career, his savings and his links to the rest of humanity on the line, Leo eventually discovers the virtues of 'Falling Free.' If you're a fan of Bujold you can imagine the rest. Interesting characters manipulating fascinating circumstances with a engaging and humorous edge. Bujold discovers the inner secrets of the human heart in the unlikeliest places - like a gruff old engineer confronted by a boisterous crowd of mutant children who must surmout impossible odds to survive. A rousing good read.
Rating:
Summary: 200 Years Before the Vorkosigan Adventures
Review: This delightful book tells of the origin of the Quaddies, one of which turns up in one of the Vorkosigan adventures (I don't recall just which one, but read them all; they are all great fun to read). It is not necessary to read this before you read "Cordelia's Honor," but this is one of Bujold's best, and every one of her books so far is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent ethical adventure
Review: This fascinating story starts out as a moody, introspective, disturbing glance into the deep, dark, truthful mirror of corporate ethics (or the lack thereof). Suddenly, the next thing you know, the story turns into a rollicking good adventure yarn and an entertaining satire of bureaucracy that will have you laughing and cheering at the end. Not the greatest story in the world, but definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent ethical adventure
Review: This fascinating story starts out as a moody, introspective, disturbing glance into the deep, dark, truthful mirror of corporate ethics (or the lack thereof). Suddenly, the next thing you know, the story turns into a rollicking good adventure yarn and an entertaining satire of bureaucracy that will have you laughing and cheering at the end. Not the greatest story in the world, but definitely worth reading.
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