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Cover of Memory by Lois McMaster BujoldMemory
Modern · Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Memory

by Lois McMaster Bujold
1996 · 509 pages · Fiction
Critics' pick
≈ 13 hours to read · about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Miles Vorkosigan's double life ends badly: a medical problem he has hidden leads to a disastrous mistake, and he's forced out of his secret role as leader of the Dendarii Mercenaries. Back home on Barrayar, adrift, he's drawn in when Simon Illyan, the head of Imperial Security and Miles's lifelong protector, begins to lose his memory, and someone may be behind it.

Why it's worth reading

It was a Hugo Award finalist, and many readers consider it the emotional high point of the Vorkosigan Saga. It's a mystery about identity and growing up.

You'll love it if you liked

Good to know

It's best read after the earlier Miles books; it pays off years of the series. It's quieter than the space adventures.

By the numbers

79.5Must-Read Score
  • Readers97 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics43 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Bestseller16 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Shortlisted
Hugo Award finalist (1997)Nebula Award finalist (1997)

Reads as

Adventurous, Epic

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Quick answers

Is Memory worth reading?

Yes. It was a Hugo Award finalist, and many readers consider it the emotional high point of the Vorkosigan Saga. It ranks #421 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 79.5 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is Memory about?

Miles Vorkosigan's double life ends badly: a medical problem he has hidden leads to a disastrous mistake, and he's forced out of his secret role as leader of the Dendarii Mercenaries. Back home on Barrayar, adrift, he's drawn in when Simon Illyan, the head of Imperial Security and Miles's lifelong protector, begins to lose his memory, and someone may be behind it.

How long does it take to read Memory?

About 13 hours (509 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after Memory?

If you liked it, try Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold, A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold or Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold.