For the first time Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles are available in the United States in quality paperback editions.
The first book in th... read full description
The first book in th... read full description
reviews
Apr 20, 2008
J
rated it: 
Attention: Please ignore the word romance in the goodreads description. I would argue that classification.
I spent years trying to get anyone I knew to read this book just so I could talk about it with someone other than myself. I've even given it as a gift half a dozen times or so. Useless. They all whine it’s too hard to follow with the classical references, obscure poetry, and French quotes. I say the story stands on its own without the reader being as well-read as dear Dorothy. Or More...
I spent years trying to get anyone I knew to read this book just so I could talk about it with someone other than myself. I've even given it as a gift half a dozen times or so. Useless. They all whine it’s too hard to follow with the classical references, obscure poetry, and French quotes. I say the story stands on its own without the reader being as well-read as dear Dorothy. Or More...
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Sep 22, 2011
Lightreads
rated it:
This book, and how I feeeeeel about this book. They demand flights of eloquence and rhetorical brilliance that I just don’t have right now. Or probably ever, if I’m honest, not for this.
It’s only the second time I’ve read this cover-to-cover. But pieces of this book are graven into me. Particular turns of phrase from scenes I’ve read over again – “I despised men who accepted their fate. I shaped mine twenty times and had it broken twenty times in my hands.” And more fundamental thing More...
It’s only the second time I’ve read this cover-to-cover. But pieces of this book are graven into me. Particular turns of phrase from scenes I’ve read over again – “I despised men who accepted their fate. I shaped mine twenty times and had it broken twenty times in my hands.” And more fundamental thing More...
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Aug 29, 2009
Yati
rated it:
The only reason why I hesitate giving this five stars is because I am a dunce! Seriously. At least when it comes to the period of history this book is set in, the 1540s in Scotland, because I knew absolutely nothing of it when I started and I was quite lost, quite lost, even when I enjoyed reading this very much. The wit! The intrigue! The utter perfectness of Lymond! (Though sometimes I felt like strangling him.)
I'll admit to struggling with this book at the start. It's not an easy More...
I'll admit to struggling with this book at the start. It's not an easy More...
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(6 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Joy
rated it: 
Re-read 8/3/08. Historical novel set in 16th century Scotland and England (later books in the series range farther afield). Francis Crawford of Lymond returns to Scotland in despite a charge of treason hanging over his head and sets up a band of outlaws that causes havoc for forces on both sides of the English-Scottish war. The first 100 pages or so are a bit slow, though things get much better after that. Like Lymond himself, the book is witty, complex, and occasionally hilariously caught up in
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(7 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Jim
rated it:
I have to confess that at the very beginning of this novel, I was less than impressed. The true nature of the conflict and the motivations of the characters were well-hidden, and the reader was left somewhat puzzled as to where this story was going. This confusion was complicated by the multiple names/titles each individual had. At times the same character would be referred to by his given name, by his family name, by the name of his manor, or by his title.
After this slow start, More...
After this slow start, More...
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
This book changed my life, which sounds like hyperbole but isn't. I was fortunate to find it at age 16, just a few years after it was published. Thus I could follow the entire six volume saga as it emerged, which was a blessing and a curse. I was never spoiled as to what would happen next yet I had to wait impatiently for the next addition. As I said, I was 16 when I read the first one and 23 when the last one was published. As soon as I finished the last word of the last book, I reopened i
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Feb 14, 2011
Sandra aka Sleo
rated it:
I haven't quite finished, but feel the need to write some thoughts down. Will finish later. At first, I didn't quite know what to make of this book. It's written in a sort of antique English brogue with frequent French and old English spellings that are hard to read. I have mostly skimmed the parts I don't understand, being basically lazy, but when something was necessary for me to understand what was being said, I used Google, the ubiquitous explainer without which I could not live. I freq
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(4 people liked it)
Jul 28, 2008
Rachel
rated it:
Ever love a series of books so much that it is hard to describe just why you love them?
I love Lymond. He is my all-time favorite hero. He’s a 16th century polyglot scholar, soldier-for-hire, poet, musician, nobleman, and treasonous outlaw. He’s trying to clear his name (as a traitor to Scotland – his homeland), and yet his methods are so convoluted and often counter-productive that everything he does is a muddle. He is fascinating.
I love the language that Dunnett uses More...
I love Lymond. He is my all-time favorite hero. He’s a 16th century polyglot scholar, soldier-for-hire, poet, musician, nobleman, and treasonous outlaw. He’s trying to clear his name (as a traitor to Scotland – his homeland), and yet his methods are so convoluted and often counter-productive that everything he does is a muddle. He is fascinating.
I love the language that Dunnett uses More...
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(9 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
LJ
rated it:
THE GAME OF KINGS (Historical Novel – non-mystery) – Ex
Dorothy Dunnett – 1st of series
In 1547 Francis Crawford of Lymond returns to his native Scotland, which is threatened by an English invasion and the bloody rivalries of its nobles. Accused of treason, hunted by friend and enemy alike, he leads a company of outlaws in a desperate race to redeem his reputation, even at the cost of his life.
***This is a superb series filled with action, intrigue, humor, tragedy, war, romance a More...
Dorothy Dunnett – 1st of series
In 1547 Francis Crawford of Lymond returns to his native Scotland, which is threatened by an English invasion and the bloody rivalries of its nobles. Accused of treason, hunted by friend and enemy alike, he leads a company of outlaws in a desperate race to redeem his reputation, even at the cost of his life.
***This is a superb series filled with action, intrigue, humor, tragedy, war, romance a More...
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Dec 16, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
I read Dunnett's 6 book series every February to commemorate my first encounter with her brilliant creation. The Game of Kings is the first book of the Lymond Chronicles, named after her anti-hero Frances Crawford of Lymond. With consummate skill, Dunnett has created a fiercely intelligent, complex, passionate adventure that is such thrilling and addictive fun. The exploits of Lymond are larger than life, always vivid, and as hilarious as they are heartbreaking. Spanning the countries of Scotlan
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Adam
rated it:
The first book of the Lymond Chronicles. Francis Crawford Lymond himself is perhaps the most intriguing character of any I've encountered in the realm of fiction. Dunnett weaves exciting tales of his adventures in 16th century Europe, bringing to life fictional and historical characters in a set of six novels that led me to ignore the real world for a period of time while I lived in Lymond's. The second set of novels, the House of Niccolo, are also enjoyable, but run too long and become somewh
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 27, 2011
Ron
rated it:
Excellent historical fiction and a fun read. The mixing of then-current poetry and verse adds to the sense of period. Managed to create an anti-hero who the reader has no trouble loathing, then hinting that there may be more to him. By the time the big reveal happens, the reader is convinced long before those condemning the protagonist.
The ending failed to satisfy because it was too "neat" and because the protagonist was mostly the passive recipient of the actions of others.
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The ending failed to satisfy because it was too "neat" and because the protagonist was mostly the passive recipient of the actions of others.
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Aug 20, 2008
Misfit
rated it:
Francis Crawford of Lymond, 16C's James Bond? What fun! Its 1547, Henry VIII is dead and his young son Edward VII sits on the throne, as does a very young Mary sit on the throne of Scotland. Negotiations were made and broken to betroth young Mary to Edward and cement the two countries - or will the Scots marry her off to the dauphin of France instead? Francis Crawford of Lymond, a disgraced nobleman accused of treason sneaks back into Scotland and thus the game begins (to clear his name? is he w
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May 09, 2007
Sarah
rated it:
The Lymond Chronicles books are quite possibly my all-time favorite books, or at least as an adult. There are six thoroughly-researched novels in the series, and each outdoes its predecessor in weaving historic details, compelling characters, and gripping plot twists.
The story follow Francis Crawford of Lymond, a minor Scottish nobleman, through adventures that take him from his native land to England, France, Malta, Greece, North Africa, Russia, and finally back home to Scotland. A More...
The story follow Francis Crawford of Lymond, a minor Scottish nobleman, through adventures that take him from his native land to England, France, Malta, Greece, North Africa, Russia, and finally back home to Scotland. A More...
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Dec 16, 2009
kailin
rated it:
Listen. I'm not going to say much here and I'm going to refer the other books in the series to this review. This is my all time favorite series of books (it goes with the Niccolo series) and I don't think anything will ever even come close to topping it. It's historical fiction at its best--accurate, well drawn, witty, intelligent, perfectly researched, and intricately designed. If you have ever wanted to live in a different time period, this is as close as you're going to get. These are not
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Andy
rated it:
Ok, I don't say this lightly but if one can make it through these books it will change your life. I won't try to explain a series of 6 books with this review. It is an amazing historical fiction set during the 14th-15th century. What I can say is the effect it had on me.
The build up and release with the sixth book broke my heart. I am not a cryier. I don't cry very much, and if a movie or book brings a tear to my eye I consider it pretty moving. When I finished the last book, I lost it. I More...
The build up and release with the sixth book broke my heart. I am not a cryier. I don't cry very much, and if a movie or book brings a tear to my eye I consider it pretty moving. When I finished the last book, I lost it. I More...
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Oct 28, 2008
I really tried to like this book, but it was really hard to understand. The author is good, but I think a little too good. It was like reading jibberish. I love anything scottish, but could not understand a word they were saying in this book. There's a lot of French too, and I studied French for 2 years, and still couldn't understand what in the heck they were saying. There are so many characters thrown at you at the very beginning, that it's really hard to remember who's who. Lymond talked real
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Sep 29, 2007
Marcellina
rated it:
Once in awhile, you come across a book that truly makes you dream about the different possibilities and ways in which you might live your life. This book and the 5 others in this series (called, 'Lymond Chronicles') are such books. I was totally blown away by the breadth of historical knowledge Dunnett has...her characterization, the way she captured the very language and intonation of 16th century speech, the richness of detail, the ingenuity of her hero... I can't stop raving about Dunnett'
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Stephen
rated it:
In this first book of the Lymond Chronicles, Dorothy Dunnett introduces us to our hero, setting the stage for what is probably the greatest series in Historical Fiction (I don't want to take any crap about saying that from rabid Patrick O'Brian fans).
Her stories are deeply researched, her characters are extremely complex, and the plot grabs you from the start. Dame Dunnett's penchant for historical, literary, and (especially) arcane occult allusion can be frustrating if you don't ha More...
Her stories are deeply researched, her characters are extremely complex, and the plot grabs you from the start. Dame Dunnett's penchant for historical, literary, and (especially) arcane occult allusion can be frustrating if you don't ha More...
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Dec 16, 2009
Edie
rated it:
I started The Game of Kings twice and put it down despite repeated recommendations from trusted sources. The third time, I made it past the first 200 pages of Dunnett's dense, tangled language sprouting with obscure, opaque references, and found myself caught up in what has become my favorite series of books. The Game of Kings is possibly the weakest of the six books following a 16th century nobleman named Francis of Lymond, and the book requires substantial patience on the part of the reader un
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Oct 17, 2011
Pat
rated it:
I'm finally getting around to tackling The Lymond Chronicles. I've already read Dorothy Dunnett's far more massive series, The House of Niccolo. It takes a little while to get into the rhythm of Dunnett's style. She throws in a lot of archaic expressions and bits of other languages (which she doesn't translate for those of us less literate). However, I have no doubt that I will enjoy this series. Lymond is such a scoundrel! I'm particularly fascinated by the Tudor and Stuart dynasties too.
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Oct 14, 2010
Cheri
rated it:
I first read this book in 1970, and I've reread all the Lymond Chronicles several times since then. It is probably my favorite series, although the second book is, in my opinion, the best of the bunch. I realize that some people are put off by the erudite vocabulary, but frankly, I loved that. "Chatoyant", "oriflamme"--what great words. And the multiple references to medieval and pre-Renaissance songs and literature made Lymond's education and intelligence almost tangible. Do
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Oct 04, 2010
Stephanie
rated it:
Oh, my. Dorothy Dunnett's book, The Game of Kings, is thrillingly well-written. It was lent to me by my colleague, to whom I wondered, early on, if by the end of the book I was going to discover that the hero was a loveable rogue or a horribly attractive sociopath. Well, by the end of the book I was convinced that the hero, Francis Crawford of Lymond, Master of Culter, is a brilliant and silver-tongued man of principle. In fact, he reminds me in many ways of the man I most wish existed in re
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Jul 13, 2010
Chris
rated it:
This recommendation came from the awesome Max Gladstone, who called this series the best historical fiction he'd ever read.
The book has some serious barriers to entry. For one, it's obviously a first novel, and one that had to be cut for publication to boot: Much of the writing and pacing is clunky, especially near the beginning. The setting, Scotland 1542, is just unfamiliar enough (to me at least) that I often felt details escaping me. The lead character speaks six or seven Euro More...
The book has some serious barriers to entry. For one, it's obviously a first novel, and one that had to be cut for publication to boot: Much of the writing and pacing is clunky, especially near the beginning. The setting, Scotland 1542, is just unfamiliar enough (to me at least) that I often felt details escaping me. The lead character speaks six or seven Euro More...
Jun 29, 2010
Fence
rated it:
I read this book along with the Historical Fav. yahoo group. If it hadn’t been a group read I don’t think I would have picked it up, and I know I wouldn’t have finished it. It is a long book, with a lot happening, and I am glad I stuck with it.
Set in Scotland and England in the 1500′s this is the first book in a series of six. The main character is the outlaw Francis Crawford of Lymond, but from the outset there are hints that he isn’t quite as evil as the world makes him out to be. More...
Set in Scotland and England in the 1500′s this is the first book in a series of six. The main character is the outlaw Francis Crawford of Lymond, but from the outset there are hints that he isn’t quite as evil as the world makes him out to be. More...
Mar 28, 2010
Ellen
rated it:
Dorothy Dunnett was, quite simply, the best writer of historical fiction who has ever lived.
Francis Crawford of Lymond, the "hero" of Dunnett's series of six novels, is unique in that he is a flawed individual, not a cardboard character who triumphs easily over adversity. Adventurer, mercenary and scholar, his motives are never clear-cut, his methods are questionable at best, and his true character remains a cypher until the end of the series.
If you are a reade More...
Francis Crawford of Lymond, the "hero" of Dunnett's series of six novels, is unique in that he is a flawed individual, not a cardboard character who triumphs easily over adversity. Adventurer, mercenary and scholar, his motives are never clear-cut, his methods are questionable at best, and his true character remains a cypher until the end of the series.
If you are a reade More...
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Sep 21, 2009
Mei-Lu
rated it:
If you liked Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle, Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel books and George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, you definitely need to check out Dorothy Dunnett. I know for a fact that she inspired Neal Stephenson (he says so right in his afterword) and would not be in the least surprised if she inspired Jacqueline Carey and George RR Martin as well. The Lymond Chronicles have a sweep that is astonishing. She literally takes this character all over the 16th century world, i
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Jun 25, 2009
sunsetsylvia
rated it:
Dunnett's accurate historical research is legendary and the books are like their protagonist: highly complex, intelligent, witty, confusing and irresistable.
They are not for reading "on the by", but those who commits to Francis Crawford of Lymond, enjoy surprising plot twists and invests some concentration will be richly rewarded.
Finishing The Game of Kings I pressed the book to my chest, sighing. :) Afterwards I took a 10 months break of the intesity that is Lymond, More...
They are not for reading "on the by", but those who commits to Francis Crawford of Lymond, enjoy surprising plot twists and invests some concentration will be richly rewarded.
Finishing The Game of Kings I pressed the book to my chest, sighing. :) Afterwards I took a 10 months break of the intesity that is Lymond, More...
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May 29, 2009
Sueij
rated it:
I bought this when I saw a sign saying the the owner of the small, locally-owned book store we love thinks this book is great, and, as a matter of fact, reads and re-reads it. I mean, how much better a recommendation could you find?
It's really well done. The characters have depth. The storyline is interesting. The setting is beautifully described. The plot twists nicely. It took time to chew my way through and I think will be even better on a re-read. I already own the next in the se More...
It's really well done. The characters have depth. The storyline is interesting. The setting is beautifully described. The plot twists nicely. It took time to chew my way through and I think will be even better on a re-read. I already own the next in the se More...
May 23, 2011
Genevieve
rated it: 
Swash, swash, buckle, buckle. This was certainly a fun read, although I'm actually glad it wasn't my first Dunnett. That likely says more about my personal tastes than the book, though--Vikings, Orkney and Macbeth hit more of my personal buttons than the Tudor era, but I'm guessing most people would be probably be better off starting with The Game of Kings than the rather unwieldy slog of King Hereafter, which was my introduction to Dunnett back in March. There's intrigue, action, and some decen
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