When I declared a read-along of all the Liaden Universe® novels in publication order, I failed to consider that the IRL universe would take this as an opportunity to throw everything it had at me.
I have, as a result of Life, gotten very behind in my commentary, and am operating in a manner that is Staggeringly Chaotic, even by my standards.
All I can do at this point is offer apologies. I am still reading, though I screwed up the order a bit in my own reading enthusiasm. Of which, as they say, More Later.
Specifically regarding Carpe Diem — I had a good time with it, and found it much more intelligible than the poor copy writer responsible for the back cover copy.
“Bloodthirsty alien pirates,” was one of those phrases that Steve and I used as shorthand for between ourselves, to denote, um — Terrible Danger.
I loved watching the partnership between Miri and Val Con strengthen and deepen, even before the lifemate link wakes up. I love that neither one of them is perfect, that each has something to bring to the partnership and to teach the other. I love that they made friends of fellow musicians. I love that they are musicians, and able to embrace art.
And, speaking as a Small God, I am very proud of Hakan Meltz as a character.
It’s kind of hard to believe that it was our third novel, and that we’d had to strip half of its guts out. It’s also hard to believe that it was written before Steve and I moved to Maine. The main street of Gylles is a dead ringer for downtown Madison-that-was.
I re-re-read Carpe Diem last month with very great pleasure. One of the very nice things about the Liaden Universe is that the books are a delight to re-read. And Hakan is indeed a great character.
Do not apologize. Life Happens, to all of us.
I’m enjoying the readalong immensely, your commentaries here, the little micro-comments and snippets you are sometimes putting on Facebook, and the little comments some of the rest of us are sometimes putting on Facebook too. It’s fun to know I’m reading in sync with lots of other people all at once :).
I unfortunately, did not read this in its proper order. As I have stated before, I discovered this universe of yours only in the last 10+ years. I read the Agent of Change followed by Conflict of Honors, got confused due to the timeline difference then read the Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon. But the it was this book that solidified the Liaden Universe for me. Suddenly, it all tied together and the fact that it was a love story to boot left me digging for more. And I am now happy with having collected most of those novels, making them part of my reading cycles. So thank you for not listening to that editor and proving them wrong.
This the book where I really identified with Miri. All through school I felt like was stupid because I didn’t learn like other kids. College was easier because I could take subjects I liked. Truth told it wasn’t until started working as a computer programmer that I found my place. Val Con was great in helping Miri. His love for her shows thru clearly here.
The editor’s phone call – wow, the arrogance and the casual cruelty. What on Earth?!!! Why are people like this?
I love the music and the musicians, and the character of Hakan, too. I love that he learns about life beyond the planet and can handle it just fine, being as exceptional as he is. I love that he and Kimi get the nest egg. I find the descriptions of functionary zhenas at the award ceremony and the festival very recognizable.
Which Madison? WI?
Err. Never been to Wisconsin, though I think a train ran through it. There is a Madison, Maine. Also a Paris, China, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belfast, Rome…