Originally published between 1961 and 1975, the books are now available in a uniform paperback edition issued by vintage books in 1997. The house of niccolo is a series of eight historical novels set in. The plot lines, like the characters, are intricate, involving and compelling. Since checkmate is the final lymond book, i am saving it like a special box of chocolates. Below is a list of all of dorothy dunnetts books in order of publication and chronological order. Fifth in the legendary lymond chronicles, the ringed castle leaps from mary tudors england to the barbaric russia of ivan the terrible. The game of kings lymond chronicles, 1 thriftbooks. 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. It works so well that the lymond books have become and remain one of the most. Book two in the legendary lymond chronicles ebook written by dorothy dunnett. 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. 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 series begins with the novel the game of kings and ended in 1975 with checkmate.
This is because it turns out that the main characters of the niccolo books are in fact the forebears of francis crawford of lymond. 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 lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett and all their wonderful. The one i really cant read again is king hereafter. Cleveland plain dealer dunnett is a name to conjure with. 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. 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. These are the books i reread through each pregnancy, the books i turn to for comfort whenever things get bad.
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. Dorothy dunnetts first novel was the game of kings, which was the beginning of her lymond chronicles series. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read queens play. For the first time dunnetts lymond chronicles are available in the united states in quality paperback editions. Sadly, i am pretty sure she is the best historical fiction writer ill ever have the chance to read. Fiction thats like game of thrones gameofthrones got.
The lymond chronicles audiobooks listen to the full series. 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. She published 22 books in total, including the sixpart lymond chronicles and the eightpart niccolo series, and coauthored another volume with her husband. The books follow francis crawford of lymond, the perfect romantic hero, and its events unfold. The manuscript for the first book in the lymond chronicles, the game of kings. May 21, 2019 the lymond chronicles, by dorothy dunnett.
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 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. All the writers you love probably love dorothy dunnett author alaya dawn johnson describes the late historical novelist as the literary equivalent of. Below is a list of dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles books in order of publication and in chronological. Sixth in the legendary lymond chronicles, checkmate takes place in 1557, where francis crawford of lymond is once again in. 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. 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 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. 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. The lymond chronicles fiction and film for scholars of.
Ive read several recently and they are wellwritten and delightfully fun. These are the books i reread through each pregnancy, the books i turn to. In this first book in the legendary lymond chronicles, francis crawford of lymond. The series is a suspenseful tale of adventure and romance, filled with action, intense drama, poetry, culture and high comedy. The glamorous and dangerous protagonist, the master of lymond, is completely fascinating in his own right as an ambiguous and provocative character. Questions to dorothy lymond chronicles dorothy dunnett. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the disorderly knights. The lymond chronicles is a set of six interlocking novels by the scottish writer dorothy dunnett. In 1547, francis crawford of lymond is disgraced and newly escaped from captivity. The lymond chronicles, by dorothy dunnett compulsive overreader.
Thoughts on finishing the lymond chronicles she reads novels. All the writers you love probably love dorothy dunnett. 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. The lymond chronicles will devour good chunk of your life, but if you like great historical drama and amazing characters, dont hesitate.
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. Marys to the edinburgh climax, the thunderbolt narrative never ceases to twist, turn, and surprise. The books tell of wars and battles, of courtly intrigue and decadent feasts, of lifelong secrets and personal struggle. Books by dorothy dunnett authors like dorothy dunnett. 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. 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 lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett and their influence.
The game of kings is the first book in her lymond chronicles seriesan engrossing set of books that take. The books of dorothy dunnett celtic studies resources. The lymond chronicles, by dorothy dunnett compulsive. 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. 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.
I like the six lymond books more than the eight niccolo books, but that. The lymond chronicles follow the minor scottish nobleman francis. 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. All the writers you love probably love dorothy dunnett author alaya dawn johnson. Lets look at what some of these books actually borrow from lymond. 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 suggestion to try georgette heyer as a break from intense books is a good one. Similarly as with the lymond chronicles, the house of niccolo elements various verifiable persons, numerous as essential characters. It is about an earl of orkney uniting the people of alba scotland. She continued writing up until 2000, the year before her passing in 2001. 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. Lymond chronicles dorothy dunnett is one of the greatest talespinners since dumas breathlessly exciting. Laurent looks like lymond and shares some of the hang ups about love due to past abuse.
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. The lymond chronicles fiction and film for scholars of france. The lymond chronicles follow the minor scottish nobleman francis crawford of lymond, a dark star whose. Questions on the lymond chronicles draguts smile what did it mean. Like cromwell, mary earned herself a posthumous reputation as a cold. Dunnett suggested reading the lymond chronicles first, then reading. The enormous quantity of literary allusions continue reading. Books blog dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles the guardian. 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. Just finished with lymond chronicles how do i move on. Theyre densely plotted, allusive political novelsfull of derringdo and desperate chases across french rooftops, yes, but dunnett is always aware of. The lymond chronicles by dorothy dunnett rhapsody in books. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
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. Francis crawford of lymond moves to muscovy, where he becomes advisor and general to the half. 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. He is a less lighthearted character in behavior i mean all in all, but also goes through less. 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. 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. Marys to the edinburgh climax, the thunderbolt narrative never ceases to. 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. 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. It works so well that the lymond books have become and remain one of the. 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. Poldark producers optioning the lymond chronicles lost in. Book one in the legendary lymond chronicles the lymond chronicles 1 kindle edition by dorothy dunnett. Poldark creators aim to launch new period drama series based.
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. I find the vicky bliss series to be the most similar to lymond chronicles. 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. 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. I have waited a long time for a book to blow me away like the game of kings set in 1500s scotland has. Her first novel, the game of kings, was published in the united states in 1961, and in the united kingdom the year after. Scotland has been humiliated by an english invasion and is threatened by machinations elsewhere beyond its borders, but it is still free. From the initial borderland skirmishes to the intrigue on malta, from the cryptic dueling at st. Theyre a series of complex, intricately plotted historical novels set in late fifteenth century europe and the mediterranean. The lymond chronicles is a series of six novels written by dorothy dunnett and first published between 1961 and 1975. The first book in the legendary lymond chronicles, game of kings takes place in 1547.
Yet the six novels of the lymond chronicles vivid, engaging, densely. 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. The books follow francis crawford of lymond, the perfect romantic hero, and its events unfold during the 11 years from the scottish border wars. The grand finale to dorothy dunnetts lymond chronicles, checkmate finds francis crawford returning to france to lead an army against england. The house of niccolo has indeed been sown with prophetic prefigurings of the lymond chronicles.