Dorothy Dunnett, anyone?

[uberkitty]

Has anyone here read Dorothy Dunnett?

For those who've never heard of her, her novels aren't fantasy--they're historical, set in the renaissance--but I think they would appeal to a lot of fantasy fans because the settings are so rich and the plots so packed with duels and sieges and other delicious action.

Anyway, I'm just ga-ga over them, and I will just kiss anyone* who's willing to talk about them!



*Some restrictions may apply; void where prohibited.

 

[qstor]

I've always wanted to run a Renaissance game. I've seen her novels at the library but havne't picked them up. How are they? They look like great reading to get my DM mind started.

Mike

 

[A2Z]

Never heard of them but I'm always looking for a good read so thanks for the tip.

 

[uberkitty]

great but tough

I can't praise these books highly enough, but I will offer a warning: they're not necessarily "easy" reads, and can take a little getting used to.

I would definitely advise that you pick up a copy of Elspeth Morrison's Dorothy Dunnett Companion--it gives translations of a lot of the foreign phrases/poetry/references and explains some of the history and characters. The amount of research Dunnett clearly did is unbelieveable. Many, many characters (especially in the second series, The House of Niccolo) are based on real historical figures, and many of the climactic events of both series are actual historical events.

(I neglected to mention this in my first post, but--strictly speaking--the books could be considered "fantasy" in that visions and prognostication play pretty important roles in both series.)

A second warning: clear the decks. Once you start, you're going to want to read it all. That's six books in the first series (The Chronicles of Lymond) and eight in the second.

I would definitely suggest starting with the first book of the first series, The Game of Kings. The second series is a little bit more accessable, but it's far more fun if you read the first series first. (It's a little confusing which is the first series if you don't already know, because the first series actually happens about a hundred years after the second.

Last thing: I would love, love, love for someone to create an RPG campaign based on the two series. It could be amazing.

 

[The Dandy Highwayman]

DD is brilliant. I loved the House of Nicolo series, but I think I actually prefer Lymond (and Sybilla, she rocks!). Who can forget the steeplechase across the roofs of Paris?

I've never read her detective novels (the Dolly books), but if you've never read King Hereafter -- do! It's Macbeth, in the historical context, and remains gripping to the very last page.

Do I get a kiss now?

 

[uberkitty]

You certainly do!

*kiss*

I haven't read King Hereafter yet--actually, I was kind of saving it. (In case of emergency: break glass and read novel.)

I prefer the Lymond series, too. I have a feeling it's one of those whichever-you-read-first-captures-you situations. I loved Niccolo, too. I think my favorite bit of the whole second series is when Kathi calls Niccolo "Banco" in the climax of the volcano scenes.

Sybilla does rock. I love when she exposes Johnny Bullo's alchemy scam. But ALL Dunnett's female characters rock--she really raises the bar on complicated love interests.

So, what do you make of the connections between the first series and the second?