Needless to say, i was so engrossed with the game of kings i was up until dawn on many a night eagerly pursing the clever, twisting, endlessly engrossing exploits of francis crawford of lymond, dunnetts astoundingly human yet otherworldly heroic antihero. Ive read several recently and they are wellwritten and delightfully fun. The lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett rhapsody in books. In this first book in the legendary lymond chronicles, francis crawford of lymond. The lymond chronicles is a set of six interlocking novels by the scottish writer dorothy dunnett. Just finished with lymond chronicles how do i move on. Lymond chronicles series dorothy dunnett combining all the political intrigue of game of thrones with the sweeping romanticism of outlander, dorothy dunnetts legendary lymond chronicles have enthralled readers for decades and amassed legions of devoted fans. It works so well that the lymond books have become and remain one of the most. Penguin presents the audiobook edition of the game of kings by dorothy dunnett, read by david monteath it is 1547 and, after five years imprisonment and exile far from his homeland, francis crawford of lymond scholar, soldier, rebel, nobleman, outlaw has at last come back to edinburgh. The lymond chronicles is a series of six novels exploring the intricacies of 16thcentury history through the exploits of the soldier francis crawford of lymond. I like the six lymond books more than the eight niccolo books, but that.
Yet the six novels of the lymond chronicles vivid, engaging, densely. From the initial borderland skirmishes to the intrigue on malta, from the cryptic dueling at st. Dec 27, 2014 all the writers you love probably love dorothy dunnett author alaya dawn johnson describes the late historical novelist as the literary equivalent of the velvet underground. The game of kings lymond chronicles, 1 thriftbooks. The six sections of the lymond chronicles are a piece of what dunnett saw as a bigger 14volume work, which incorporates the eight books of the place of nicole arrangement. The books follow francis crawford of lymond, the perfect romantic hero, and its events unfold during the 11 years from the scottish border wars. Her first novel, the game of kings, was published in the united states in 1961, and in the united kingdom the year after. Lymond chronicles dorothy dunnett is one of the greatest talespinners since dumas breathlessly exciting. Cleveland plain dealer dunnett is a name to conjure with. He is a less lighthearted character in behavior i mean all in all, but also goes through less trauma in the course of the story than lymond.
Set in mid16thcentury europe and the mediterranean area, the series tells the story of a young scottish nobleman, francis crawford of lymond, from 1547 through 1558. Thoughts on finishing the lymond chronicles she reads novels. Scotland has been humiliated by an english invasion and is threatened by machinations elsewhere beyond its borders, but it is still free. She published 22 books in total, including the sixpart lymond chronicles and the eightpart niccolo series, and coauthored another volume with her husband. I have waited a long time for a book to blow me away like the game of kings set in 1500s scotland has. It works so well that the lymond books have become and remain one of the. The six books in the lymond chronicles cover 11 years in the life of one francis crawford of lymond, scottish nobleman, as he navigates the political intrigues of europe, malta, turkey, and russia in the middle of the 16th century. The lymond chronicles is a series of six novels, set in midsixteenthcentury europe and the mediterranean, which follows the life and career of a scottish nobleman, francis crawford of lymond, from 1547 through 1558. Fifth in the legendary lymond chronicles, the ringed castle leaps from mary tudors england to the barbaric russia of ivan the terrible. The suggestion to try georgette heyer as a break from intense books is a good one.
Marys to the edinburgh climax, the thunderbolt narrative never ceases to twist, turn, and surprise. Apr 22, 2012 thoughts on finishing the lymond chronicles april 22, 2012 i apologise for abandoning my blog this week ive been very busy both at work and at home, and any spare time i did have was devoted to finishing dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles. The game of kings, the first story in the lymond chronicles, sets the stage for what will be a sweeping saga filled with passion, courage, and the endless fight for freedom. The house of niccolo, composed after the lymond chronicles, tells the story of lymond s progenitors in the earlier century and incorporates inferences to occasions in the. I find the vicky bliss series to be the most similar to lymond chronicles. Poldark producers optioning the lymond chronicles lost in. Book three in the legendary lymond chronicles ebook written by dorothy dunnett. The lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett and their influence. The house of niccolo has indeed been sown with prophetic prefigurings of the lymond chronicles. The company has just optioned the lymond chronicles, dorothy dunnetts wonderfully complex collection of historical yarns set across europe in the mid 16th century, and is currently pitching the. Dorothy dunnett began her lymond chronicles series in 1961 on a suggestion from her husband after she had complained about having nothing left to read. Books blog dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles the guardian.
The disorderly knights, 3rd in the lymond chronicles, must be one of the most thrilling adventure stories ever written. Jun 30, 2016 buy dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles. The lymond chronicles fiction and film for scholars of. The lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett and all their wonderful. Laurent looks like lymond and shares some of the hang ups about love due to past abuse. The enigma of francis crawford by scott richardson isbn. The grand finale to dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles, checkmate finds francis crawford returning to france to lead an army against england. Anyone who has worked in publishing or bookselling knows that publishers ideas of suitable covers for their authors books can be, shall we say, a little erratic. Sadly, i am pretty sure she is the best historical fiction writer ill ever have the chance to read. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read queens play. The lymond chronicles a blog devoted to the sites and the historical figures of the books of the lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett above is the only picture that will be used of the fictional characters. The lymond chronicles a blog devoted to the sites and the historical figures of the books of the lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett above is the only picture that will be used of the fictional characters it does not do. Since checkmate is the final lymond book, i am saving it like a special box of chocolates. The manuscript for the first book in the lymond chronicles, the game of kings.
Lets look at what some of these books actually borrow from lymond. The lymond chronicles book one new ed by dunnett, dorothy isbn. The house of niccolo is a series of eight historical novels set in. The plot lines, like the characters, are intricate, involving and compelling. The lymond chronicles is a series written by author dorothy dunnett, it stars a main character who is named francis crawford of lymond that she says is based on her own husband who is sir alastair dunnett, who was an editor. Theyre a series of complex, intricately plotted historical novels set in late fifteenth century europe and the mediterranean. Both the recorded and anecdotal characters are, in any case, taken from a more extensive assortment of occupations and social classes than in the lymond chronicles. In 1547, francis crawford of lymond is disgraced and newly escaped from captivity.
The lymond chronicles follow the minor scottish nobleman francis. Jul 12, 2017 the six books in the lymond chronicles cover 11 years in the life of one francis crawford of lymond, scottish nobleman, as he navigates the political intrigues of europe, malta, turkey, and russia in the middle of the 16th century. The characters and stories have captivated me from the start and now that the series is complete, i wanted to share some of my other favorite booksseries for lunar chronicles fans to fill that void. The game of kings is the first book in her lymond chronicles seriesan engrossing set of books that take.
But even as the soldierscholar succeeds brilliantly on the battlefield, his haunted past becomes a subject of intense interest to. I first encountered the series of six historical novels known as the lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett as an undergraduate thanks sharron albert, wherever you are. Dorothy dunnetts first novel was the game of kings, which was the beginning of her lymond chronicles series. Having listened to caroles breathless recommendation, i decided like the old lady in the diner in the movie when harry met sally that id have.
Similarly as with the lymond chronicles, the house of niccolo elements various verifiable persons, numerous as essential characters. Dunnett suggested reading the lymond chronicles first, then reading. All the writers you love probably love dorothy dunnett. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the disorderly knights. This is because it turns out that the main characters of the niccolo books are in fact the forebears of francis crawford of lymond. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Like cromwell, mary earned herself a posthumous reputation as a cold. Its odd, it seems like the lymond books have been much acclaimed and well liked for decades and yet at the same time theres only two posts on this subreddit. The game of kings lymond chronicles dorothy dunnett historical fiction history mary, queen of scots, 15421587 soldiers of fortune nobility crawford, francis fictitious character scotland. Theyre densely plotted, allusive political novelsfull of derringdo and desperate chases across french rooftops, yes, but dunnett is always aware of. Fiction thats like game of thrones gameofthrones got. Poldark creators aim to launch new period drama series based. Does that seem like a lot to stuff into a single character.
The lymond chronicles fiction and film for scholars of france. She is a brilliant story teller, the lymond chronicles will keep you reading late into the night, desperate to know the fate of the characters you have come to care deeply about. These are the books i reread through each pregnancy, the books i turn to. The first book in the legendary lymond chronicles, game of kings takes place in 1547. Originally published between 1961 and 1975, the books are now available in a uniform paperback edition issued by vintage books in 1997. Though the covers of the early editions of the books make them look like trashy bodice rippers populated by people with some truly terrible hairstyles, the lymond chronicles are anything but. Book two in the legendary lymond chronicles ebook written by dorothy dunnett. The enormous quantity of literary allusions continue reading.
The books of dorothy dunnett celtic studies resources. I have read 5 of the lymond books in the past year and desperately needed to take a break. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The lymond chronicles will devour good chunk of your life, but if you like great historical drama and amazing characters, dont hesitate. Below is a list of dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles books in order of publication and in chronological. Book one in the legendary lymond chronicles the lymond chronicles 1 kindle edition by dorothy dunnett. All the writers you love probably love dorothy dunnett author alaya dawn johnson.
Dec 24, 2016 having read lymond chronicles, the house of niccolo series and king hereafter, i am thrilled dorothy dunnett will be brought to new readers and possibly tv viewers. Questions to dorothy lymond chronicles dorothy dunnett. It is about an earl of orkney uniting the people of alba scotland. The series is a suspenseful tale of adventure and romance, filled with action, intense drama, poetry, culture and high comedy. May 21, 2019 the lymond chronicles, by dorothy dunnett. The series begins with the novel the game of kings and ended in 1975 with checkmate. She continued writing up until 2000, the year before her passing in 2001. The lymond chronicles are set in scotland, england and france at the beginning, with later books taking place all over the mediterranean, north africa, turkey and russia. Below is a list of all of dorothy dunnetts books in order of publication and chronological order. All the writers you love probably love dorothy dunnett author alaya dawn johnson describes the late historical novelist as the literary equivalent of. The characters and stories have captivated me from the start and now that the series is complete, i wanted to share some of my other favorite books series for lunar chronicles fans to fill that void. He is a less lighthearted character in behavior i mean all in all, but also goes through less. The one i really cant read again is king hereafter.
These are the books i reread through each pregnancy, the books i turn to for comfort whenever things get bad. Questions on the lymond chronicles draguts smile what did it mean. The lymond chronicles, by dorothy dunnett compulsive. Francis crawford of lymond moves to muscovy, where he becomes advisor and general to the half. Sixth in the legendary lymond chronicles, checkmate takes place in 1557, where francis crawford of lymond is once again in. The lymond chronicles follow the minor scottish nobleman francis crawford of lymond, a dark star whose. The lymond chronicles, by dorothy dunnett compulsive overreader. Marys to the edinburgh climax, the thunderbolt narrative never ceases to. The male lead, john smythe who does not appear until the second novel in the series, silhouette in scarlet, is directly based on francis crawford according to peters. The books follow francis crawford of lymond, the perfect romantic hero, and its events unfold. Thoughts on finishing the lymond chronicles april 22, 2012 i apologise for abandoning my blog this week ive been very busy both at work and at home, and any spare time i did have was devoted to finishing dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles. The authors themselves seldom have any say in the process and all too often the illustrators have at best a sketchy idea of the contents of the books. For the first time dunnetts lymond chronicles are available in the united states in quality paperback editions.
The lymond chronicles audiobooks listen to the full series. The lymond chronicles is a series of six novels written by dorothy dunnett and first published between 1961 and 1975. Sixth in the legendary lymond chronicles, checkmate takes place in 1557, where francis crawford of lymond is once again in france, leading an army against england. The glamorous and dangerous protagonist, the master of lymond, is completely fascinating in his own right as an ambiguous and provocative character. Books by dorothy dunnett authors like dorothy dunnett. The books tell of wars and battles, of courtly intrigue and decadent feasts, of lifelong secrets and personal struggle.
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