Vorkosigan Saga - Where to start?

[suupaabaka]

I've been meaning to pick up the Vorkosigan books for a while now, but I can't figure out where to start. Bujold has a lot of these books, and the intarweb is divided regarding the best starting point.

I'd appreciate a push in the right direction!

[cgw]

I sure we just answered this question recently, but it may have been over in the fantasy forum (The Vorkosigan books are by no means fantasy).
I would suggest in the order of publication except that I personnally would start with The Warrior's Apprentice which is the introduction to Miles and he is the main guy.
Pick up the omnibus Young Miles which has The Warrior's Apprentice and more.

[Rob B]

cgw,

Here's that thread:
The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold

[suciul]

In the Vorkosigan Saga the essential "world changing events " happen just in the first 2 books about Miles parents, the rest are more or less about Miles and his adventures which do not change that much the world. Also there are different themes and styles in the books so a lot depends on what you want from the series itself.

Outside of Barrayar which is essential reading to understand Miles world (Shards of Honor can be fast read to get the salient points needed for Barrayar), it really depends on what you want; fluffy mil space opera Warrior Apprentice, Vor Game, mystery/strange culture Cetaganda, darker mil space opera Brothers in Arms, Mirror Dance, darker mystery Memory/Komarr, fun comedy A Civil Campaign...

My favourites are Barrayar, Komarr, A Civil Camapaign with Memory slightly behind

As opposed to most long running series, this one is a melange of various kinds of books glued by Miles, his culture and family in which Miles does not change the world, the world changes Miles and I think there is the enduring appeal of it.

[suupaabaka]

FicusFan over in that linked thread seems to be pretty sure of himself. I guess I'll start with his recommendation. I don't mind if the universe in the books gets fleshed out a little before Miles plops in

There's something that just grabs me about a protagonist that isn't your typical Conan type. I'm looking forward to digging into Elric and Miles.

[Fitzy]

I read the Vor Game based on the fact that it won a Hugo and I have absolutely no idea how it could possibly have won such an award. It was a childs book with no original ideas and flat 2D characters. As embarrassing as Harry Potter winning a Hugo is, I'd say this book was even more undeserving.