Dreamweaver's Dilemma

Kinda book number one of the the Vorkosigan space opera series. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback published by NESFA (New England Science Fiction Association) in 1997. NESFA has published almost all of the Vorkosigan space opera books in hardback for $25 each and some trade paperback, $12 each.The book starts off with a very good Sherlock Homes story, some very different short stories, a story about a pre-wormhole spaceship pilot for the Beta colony (14 years subjective from Earth, 100+ years actual) for a ramscoop spaceship, and third book that I have read containing the most excellent "Mountains of Mourning" novella. And several essays about writing science fiction.NESFA books can be bought on Amazon or at their website:

A selection of McMaster Bujold's earlier short-to-novella length works, bound into an oversized paperback with a decent binding.How I hate these oversized paperbacks. And what a flub by marketers - a regular or 'mass market" paperback (note the sneering tone to the term "mass market") would of necessity have been thicker and made the book look more substantial.Don't buy this if all you want from LMB is "More Miles". This book includes the beyond excellent "The Mountains of Mourning" but there isn't any more Miles in it (unless you count the timeline of books included in some previous publications and reproduced here). There *is* a "Barrayar Universe" story, but is takes place at the dawn of the establishment of Beta Colony - "Dreamweaver's Dilemma".The other stories vary from a four star to a three and a half star experience in my opinion. The Holmes story mentioned in the description was not really to my taste, but not bad per se. Of course, with LMB one is reading a veteran writer, one who has mastered her craft, so "bad" stories never see print under her name.

This is a great bunch of short stories. Most are interesting. Recommend to everyone.

Up until now I thought I loved everything Lois McMaster Bujold has written (well, there was _Spirit Ring_ that didn't quite fall into that category), but I didn't love this. But being a completist, I'm glad I read it and own it. I liked some of the essays about how she came to write, or why readers should read speculative fiction. I enjoyed "Mountains of Mourning" again, but no surprise there, some years I have taught it, I like it that much and think it's that important. Also this week I read the Afterward to _Miles in Love_, a new reprint of _Komarr_, _A Civil Campaign_ and "Winterfair Gifts." It is about the varying structures and themes of those novels, it also fits in nicely with the essays and short stories in this volume. And it's more recent work.So, if you've read the entire Vorkoverse numerous times and you've read all of Bujold's fantasy, then perhaps you will enjoy(or get enough out of) this book.

The book was in good condition as advertised. I have just started reading it & I am looking forward to an enjoyable read.

I got a copy of this book years ago and lost it so I bought another copy recently. I'd forgotten how well Lois writes in the "Americana" style of short story. Very quaint, good word pictures, and of course, the title story (Dreamweaver's Dilemma) is a great prelude to the 5-star VORKOSIGAN SAGA stories (which I've read about 12 times, start to finish)

A different book with fiction stories and a real life accounts of how those and other fiction stores came to life. Details from author's childhood, interests and her way to sci-fi writing. For those that like the Vorkosigan saga the novels are not really up to par (exception Mountains of Mourning) but this book is still a must have. It gives an excellens view into authors' world during her formative years and beyond. Are you a middle age sci-fi lover you'll feel right at home. The book gives even insight to the Vorkosigan world and how it came to be with a complete thesaurus and Q&A chapter.

Early Lois, but very recognizable

Being a huge Lois McMaster Bujold fan, I wanted this book to complete my collection of her Vor universe. I knew that it was made up of several short stories, only a few being even slightly relevant, but that was ok. Also her description of how she got into writing and selling her first few books is really interesting, I'd never known just what it took to write. So overall, considering that some of the stories are available in other collections, what is left is highly overpriced for what it is! There is nothing in it that will affect your Vor universe or leave any noticeable gaps if you don't buy this book. Only for die hard LMB fans!

Interesting to get an insight into the writing process from the author. Plus a few stories pre-Vorkosigan Saga that point toward it. Highly recommended for any fan of Miles Vorkosigan.

Early work by the wonderful Hugo and Nebula award winning author. On story is an early exploration into the Vorkosigan universe.