PENGUIN The Game Of Kings: The Lymond Chronicles Book One

If you want to learn more of 16th century people and places - Scotland, France, Malta ....., then this series of superbly written novels is for you. In particular the character of Francis Crawford of Lymond. A master tactician of supreme intelligence, he will make you fret and keep you guessing. It might be useful to understand that he is a young man at the start of Game of Kings but it is a very good idea never to probe further than the author allows you to go and never read the end of the book first. For us readers who are not as clever as Dorothy Dunnett there are two 'Companion' Books to help us with translating Lymond's frequent moments of French, Spanish or other language, in particular the quotes and some of the most beautiful poetry. I don't agree with another reader that you can get by without understanding at least some of the sentences or poems. In some cases they are critical to what is going on. This has a stupendous love story of heart breaking proportions in the final couple of books so you should read these books in the correct order, take your time and enjoy. These are books to cherish and return to time and again, when you will discover more at each read. Dunnett's writing of her hero Lymond takes him to the top alongside others such as Joffrey de Peyrac.

The first time I read this I almost gave up. The first third of the book seems so complex and pointless, and I couldn't see what the fuss was about. Then something caught me and when I finished I went back and read it all over again - plus the rest of the series. There are lines I still cry over.This first book is the least accessible. But if you keep going (or start with book 2! The first 2 are pretty much stand alone) then you have the ride (read) of a lifetime.

I have bought this for my sister and I can't believe it's taken me so long to recommend the Lymond Chronicles to her.Pure Romance, Dunnett's writing is like no other author's. Both the historical plots and all the characters - fictional and otherwise - are deeply and richly drawn, across the span of the six books. These are not for instant gratification. They are to be savoured and reread, as I know so many fans of Dunnett do.

Not really my scene as it involves lots of Scottish words , lost on me, and a great deal of what you might call padding. I have no doubt the history behind it is well researched.

"Lymond is back" - the first sentance of a series of books that will change your life. You will never afterwards be free of Francis Crawford of Lymond and will be drawn back to him again and again. Extraordinary books - Dorothy Dunnett's writing will take your breath away.