Ethan of Athos

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Dr. Ethan Urquhart is chief of biology at a District Reproduction Center. He delivers babies from uterine replicators. You see, on Athos there are no women. In fact, the planet is forbidden to them.

Isolated from the galactic community by distance and a lack of exploitable resources, the Athosians have peacefully lived their peculiar social experiment for two hundred years. But now, the ovarian cultures dating back to the original settlement of the planet are giving out.

With the future of Athos at stake, Ethan is chosen on behalf of his cloistered fellows for a unique mission: to brave the wider universe in quest of new ovarian tissue cultures to replenish Athos' dwindling stocks. Along the way, he must tangle with covert operatives, killers, telepathy, interplanetary politics, and - perhaps most disturbingly - an indomitable female mercenary named Elli Quinn.

©1986 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

very nice

Not a Miles Vorkosigan book, but definitely in his universe. Thought-provoking and well written. definitely worth the effort and time.

No Miles, BUT...

For all you Miles fans - he's not in here. But get it anyway! It was a great story, great narration by Grover Gardner, and Elli Quinn in a pretty good character. I enjoyed it and hope she does some more (after doing another book in the Miles series).

Not too bad...

Any additional comments?

I was a little put off when it was revealed that Athos was an all male planet with all that implies. But, that aspect is not explored in depth. This story follows the typical vorkosigan pattern of mystery, machinations, manipulations, all finally tied up in a neat bow. If you're into the series, you won't be disappointed.

Surprising Sci-Fi Favorite

Any additional comments?

I cannot believe this book was published in 1986! I had no idea until the copyright information just before the final

Fast and interesting

The story stands alone from the "series", though there are recurring characters you'll recognize if you've read other books in the series.

The story is fast and interesting. I'm not a big fan of the "women as foreign and misunderstood" theme in it, but I suppose that's the premise of Athos. There isn't much explanation as to why Athos was made into a woman-less world (not sure how one could explain this in any sensible way) or much investigation of the issues that would arise in an all-male world but I suppose the point of the story was to see how Ethan did in the big bad world.

Ethan did alright. The story is enjoyable. There's some fighting and some mystery but no blood 'n gore or sex. I don't recall any foul language either.

The narrator is distinctive. He reads well, and doesn't over dramatize.