The Game of Kings: Book One in the Legendary Lymond Chronicles

Dorothy Dunnett's six Lymond books are considered by many — including me — to be among the greatest historical novels ever written. Set between the reigns of Edward VI and Elizabeth I in England, they also romp through Scotland and France, and (via a good chunk of the Mediterranean) to the court of Ivan the Terrible in Russia. They get stronger and stronger as they go, in a whirlwind of events that sucks in an amazing cocktail of carefully-researched historical events in stunning detail.The springboard for all this is the protagonist, Francis Crawford of Lymond, who (for a change) is not the standard pattern-card of virtues, but appears utterly obnoxious: at the outset he has been outlawed for betraying Scotland to the English and blowing up a convent-full of nuns (including his sister), and is thus forced to hawk his services around Europe as a mercenary soldier.This first novel revolves around the efforts of Lymond's ill-wishers (including his brother) to capture him, and Lymond's to vindicate himself.The six novels, in sequence (and don't try to read them any other way), are: The Game of Kings Queen's Play The Disorderly Knights Pawn in Frankincense The Ringed Castle Checkmate So much for the good news.The bad news is that some people find them far too complex. Characters multiply in alarming profusion, and keeping track of who's who can become a problem — especially if you aren't too familiar with the history of that period in the first place.Then, too, there are a LOT of arcane references to mediæval poetry, obscure events and other esoterica; to such an extent that one Elspeth Morrison (assisted by Lady Dunnett) has written a two-volume Dorothy Dunnett Companion to function as a concordance, which unfortunately appears to be unavailable yet (as I write) here.But for me, the complexity added to the enjoyment; to the extent that I got more out of the series second time through.And indeed these are books I never get tired of rereading.

The story opens with a man returning to his homeland from exile. He is a disgraced aristocrat with a terrible reputation, an outlaw, a traitor, “the devil incarnate”. Other than that we know little about him. We have no idea what he is done or what is motivation might be but he quickly sets about causing havoc. Breaking into noble homes in broad daylight, intimidating the occupants and stealing their valuables, even callously attacking his own mother in her home. He puts himself in the way of trouble,danger and appears recklessly out of control. He is cold, cruel and vindictive, he behaves appallingly when drunk and worse when he is sober. He steals, bullies, cheats and insults, but he does it all with such style, such wit.Amongst these thrilling raids, labyrinthine political intrigue and daring escapes, the plot is slowly being teased out and we begin to realise there is more to this brutal antihero than is first apparent. The unraveling of this complex character kept me hooked right to the end.The writing style is unashamedly dense with historical detail, the atmosphere of the period is painstakingly created. The language is complex and difficult, littered with quotations in many languages and references to classical and early European mythology and politics. The writer uses these to a large degree to create a distinctive voice for her main character, It is clear when he is talking, even if not made explicit in the text, by the way he uses language, as a weapon, to confuse and obscure his true purpose as well as to wound. It often has a similar effect on the reader as on the victim (reading on the kindle is useful as you are only a tap away from a Wikipedia or dictionary definition, although, often, Lymond confounds both of these). I did find the book challenging and infuriating at first, until I got into the rhythm of it, there is no need to understand every reference, just because you can't breathe underwater it doesn’t mean you shouldn't swim. Once you get past this, the writing is mesmeric, it makes you slow down, it demands your focused attention, you cannot skip lightly over the pages. It gets right inside your head.Don't be misled, though, this book is no dry historical epic, it is thoroughly entertaining. You are never far away from a joke, something shocking, something scurrilous. Lymond's madcap adventures rattle along with breathtaking speed. This book is anything but dull.This is the best book I have read all year, I have never come across anything like it before. It was exhausting but rewarding to read and I have thought of little else for the past week.

This is the first of the 6 books making up the Lymond Chronicles. .This first book is set in 16th Century Scotland when the infant Mary was queen. The books follow the adventures of Francis Crawford of Lymond on his return to Scotland from exile and imprisonment as a galley slave.I first read these books when they were first published and have reread them many times over the years. The books visit many European countries and Russia and paint a vivid picture of the French, English, Russian and Scottish courts. Lymond is a mercenary, a leader of men and probably the best flawed heroic character in literature.I fell in love with him when I was 16 and love him still.If you haven’t read Dorothy Dunnett what a treat you have in store!In this book you are also introduced to Philippa aged 10 who as the series progresses becomes my very favourite heroine ever.

DD spins a keen and knowledgeable tale around the shifting loyalties and devious machinations of families caught between the English and Scottish thrones. Nobility was not an attribute of the nobles of the time, but she makes us want to believe it of Crawford of Lymond and that is superb storytelling. Of course, DD taps into a popular image of brawny Scottish superiority. I found her Niccolo chronicles more compelling (and just as fascinatingly complex) precisely because they lack any underlying nationalism and thus make the conclusions less obvious.

This is not a quick and easy read. The characters are complex and highly educated with abilities in languages, politics and history. The hero/villain is outstanding in actions and wit. The heroine is a person to watch growing from brave child to a very clever woman. I love this series

My mother, who was a smart cookie, recommended this book and the others in the series many years ago. I tried them, got hooked and I bet you anything you will too. They can be hard to get into, but please try to stick with them. They are swashbuckling action in correct Tudor historical detail, in gorgeous description and believeable dialogue. Parts are very funny. The parts that are not-so-funny are so well handled that...well...I cry every time I read them. And they will improve your vocabulary painlessly! It's all good!And now they're in Kindle format. I'm over the moon! Delighted! I may never leave the house again!