really one of the main reasons I love Memory is seeing Illyan destroyed. Deconstructed. What remains of the imposing head of the Imperial Security when we remove from him what made him imposing and infallible? the answer is: try again, bitch.
#vorkosigan saga#simon illyan <3#love that we get multiple retirement arcs in these books#and at least one (this one. and also alys really) where he really FOR REAL retires#literally no longer doing any job#and then has to figure out what to do with himself#the older i get the more Memory is The Best Book#when you take away what you think is the core of your identity#what’s left?#well#you#and now you have to look in the mirror and figure out what that means (via @southern-continent-skies)
“When you take away what you think is the core of your identity, what’s left? Well. You. And now you have to look in the mirror and figure out what that means.”
Damn. How many parallels between Illyan and Miles from this book are going to hit me in the face and force me to rethink everything I thought I knew?
Miles losing his covert ops identity and Illyan losing his chip.
Miles going catatonic and Illyan trapped in medbay with no idea what day or year it is.
Miles staring at the dagger and Illyan touching his forehead and saying “I think I’d rather have you cut my throat.”
Ivan forcing Miles into the ice bath and Miles choosing surgery for Illyan.
Both of them losing the post and position that gave them a place in society and counteracted the stigma of being disabled/prole.
Both of them sitting at loose ends because they never wanted to retire, and what do you even do if you’re not working? What’s the point of existence if you’re not doing your job?
And the answer – it turns out – is love. Come what may, regardless of where you are and what work you are or are not doing … being there for the people you love, helping them and letting them help you, is what it’s all about.
(via notjustaclone)
