20 works of upbeat science fiction to brighten your day

Barrayar (Cover image via Baen)

9. The Vorkosigan Saga

Though first published in 1986, the Vorkosigan Saga is surprisingly progressive to modern science fiction readers. Numerous women are point of view characters, while a gay man is a protagonist in Ethan of Athos.

Longtime protagonist Miles Vorkosigan is also disabled, having endured numerous corrective surgeries throughout his life. They’re necessary, given that an assassination attempt on his parents left the gestating Miles exposed to a chemical that altered his bone development. He’s visibly affected by these surgeries, with numerous scars. At one point, Miles’ bones were even replaced by synthetic replicas. It’s a good development, given that his organic bones often broke and severely limited his activities.

The world of the Vorkosigan Saga is not perfect, however. For one, Miles and other disabled people are frequently discriminated against. Miles himself is often impulsive and manipulative. That said, he most often uses those tendencies towards good. Moreover, writer Lois McMaster Bujold has allowed Miles to grow in deep, lasting ways. That sort of change is all too rare in science fiction series, where protagonists can start to get morally stale after a while.

Despite the conflict in Bujold’s interstellar world, the people within it are often decent and kind. They are not perfect by any means, but are generally drawn to do the right thing. Villains show up, to be sure. After all, what kind of series would it be if there weren’t some conflict and a few bad people thrown in for the narrative’s sake? With 16 books currently in the Vorkosigan Saga, it was bound to happen.

Ultimately, however, the protagonists are motivated by a strong sense of justice. Eventually, even the wayward Miles comes around and does what morally upright thing. Overall, the series is a good go-to when you’re looking for some upbeat science fiction.