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September 07, 2006
The End of Lymond
Well, after nearly 7 months of (somewhat) regular reading, I have now completed the Lymond Chronicles. Dorothy Dunnett's 6 volume set on Francis Crawford of Lymond redeemed for me the whole genre of historical fiction. They're set in 16th century Europe (the main character is Scottish), and she did her research for the books.
But the historical setting, as fascinating in itself as it is, is just the moulding within which her genius operates. Lymond is something like the ideal 16th century humanist (with late 20th century religious sensibilities... ok, so some of it is anachronistic). He's not only the brightest person in Europe by a good bit, he's also fluent in any number of modern and ancient languages (Latin, French, Spanish, Turkish), the best musician in the French court, the best swordsman and marksman with the bow in Scotland and beyond, the most athletic wrestler, etc., etc. A bit over the top? It's all part of the fun.
Dunnett's plots are intricate and captivating and in the last couple of books even subtle. She's very generous to the reader throughout; meaning that, since you are following around the life of the brightest guy to ever live, you are having to use your little noodle quite a bit to stay on top of things (even if you skip all the classical allusions and untranslated lines of foreign tongues). But the result is something that is both entertaining and intellectually satisfying. I feel smarter having read them and enjoyed the process. I'm not sure how to give a novel higher praise!
I would say more, but Bryonie's still in book 3 (which is where it really becomes fun) so I can't really give anything away. In any case I highly recommend the series to anyone who likes a smart and engaging read. They're the best novels I've read in a while.
Book Reviews | By j and b | 08:27 PM
Comments
Glad you all are Dunnett fans now too! When Joe was reading them, I was always asking him where he was, so that we could talk about it without giving anything away. It must be particularly enjoyable to read them while living in Scotland. When I've visited other places focused on by Dunnett (mainly from the NIccolo series--since I haven't been back to Scotland in a long time), I've enjoyed the familiarity brought on by knowing more of the history. I wasn't a big historical fiction fan either before Dunnett.
Posted by: Linnea at September 11, 2006 06:42 PM
Interesting I am sure to read Dunnett as a male. As a female I totally succumbed to Lymond's romantic appeal. Poor John. However you will be able to sympathize with Bryonie when she gets to that point emotionally. :)
Posted by: Vangie at September 11, 2006 01:55 AM
I liked book four, except for the fact that my son is a darling toddling little blond headed blue eyed urchin. I couldnt stop putting him into the story which made the end a bit hard to accept. I am really enjoying book five though. Phillipa Somerville is my kind of woman.
Posted by: Nicky Lewin at September 9, 2006 02:24 AM
Book 3 had me hooked from the beginning... Can't wait for book 4. Long live Lymond!!
Posted by: abi at September 7, 2006 09:29 PM
Aaagh! Book 3 made me scream!!! I couldn't take the tension!! Book 4 not much better!
Being a specialist of this time period I totally love them. I can even tell which research she draws on for some of the details in the picture.
Posted by: Jeannette at September 7, 2006 09:24 PM