|
| The Game of Kings (Lymond Chronicles, 1) | 
 enlarge | Author: Dorothy Dunnett
Publisher: Vintage Books
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy Used: $1.94
You Save: $15.01 (89%)
New (50) Used (113) Collectible (3) from $1.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  118 reviews
Sales Rank: 35115
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 543
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.1 x 1
ISBN: 0679777431
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780679777434
ASIN: 0679777431
Publication Date: April 29, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Standard used condition.
|
| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 116-118 of 118 | | « PREV 1 ... | | |
 Great history, nuanced characters June 25, 1997
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Dunnett's book is a tour de force of the mid-16th century social and political tumult plaguing Scotland. The real strength of this piece is the nuanced characters, who are passionate, believable and sympathetic. Dunnett gives equal play to the lords and the lackeys, demonstrating that history isn't just about great battles and great men. For any who enjoy gritty history in the hands of a sophisticated, thoughtful novelist, this book is for you. Aesthetically, the cover treatment is exceedingly well designed; unfortunately, it's not matched by the print quality, which is variable at best. Shame on Vintage! In sum, Dunnett's book is a keeper; one that you'll want to pick up again in a few years. I look forward to seeing the softcover publication of Dunnett's Niccolo series in the near future.
Literate historical fiction for lovers of well-written prose June 16, 1997
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Dorothy Dunnett's prose is not to be read by the faint of heart or those desiring a quick, easy read. Her work is challenging to read, highly literate, strongly drawn -- and above all, it carries with it a plot that can draw the reader in and ennare him or her unawares.
Francis Crawford of Lymond is not a nice man. In fact, he's rather cruel and he often seems heartless -- but that's just on the surface. The depths of this quasi-hero -- dark, brooding, unpredictable -- can't even begun to be fathomed at first, but with his rapacious manners and quick efficiency it's impossible not to like him for all the darkness of his demeanor.
Dunnett weaves an intricate tapestry of highly literate work (including multi-lingual phrasing as well as an abundance of words many will need a dictionary for), mixed with historical accuracies to give the story good grounding, through a series of twists and turns where you're never know exactly who will triumph -- but you do have the hopes. If you enjoy well-written prose as well as a story, and you are willing to accept the challenge of reading complexly written works, this is the book for you. Highly recommended -- and you'll be left wanting to read the rest as well.
The first volume of a sweeping novel of historical romance. July 10, 1996
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The Game of Kings" is the first volume of Dorothy Dunnett's six-volume "Chronicles of Lymond." It is also the only one that can actually be read as a single novel by itself. It follows the adventures of Francis Crawford of Lymond as he returns to Scotland in order to attempt to prove himself innocent of the act of treason which caused his sister's death.Ms. Dunnett, who is also an artist, has an incredible eye for color and detail. She also knows her period, the late 1540s. Her characters speak with authenticity of the events, politics and literature of their day. With its fellow volumes, this is one of my all-time favorite novels.
|
|
|
Visit our Pictures of Scotland
| |
|
