The Game of Kings

Dorothy Dunnett

Book 1 in the series:The Lymond Chronicles

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'The Game of Kings' by Dorothy Dunnett is a historical fiction novel set in the 16th century, primarily focusing on the adventures of the complex and enigmatic protagonist, Francis Crawford of Lymond. The book introduces readers to a world filled with war, betrayal, romance, and adventure, set against the backdrop of a meticulously researched historical setting. Through intricate plot threads and rich wordplay, the author paints a vivid picture of a Renaissance world where characters navigate through real stakes, dangers, and intricate political intrigues.

The narrative style of 'The Game of Kings' is described as dense, packed with classical and time-specific references, vernacular, and 16th-century wordplay. The story unfolds with elements of mystery and crime, as readers follow Lymond's journey to clear his tarnished reputation while encountering a diverse cast of characters and engaging in witty and erudite dialogues. Despite the initial challenges in getting into the book, readers find themselves immersed in a world filled with action, intrigue, and well-developed characters that keep them engaged throughout the story.

Characters:

Characters are complex and multifaceted, particularly Lymond, whose morally ambiguous nature adds intrigue, while secondary characters enrich the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is intricate and demanding, featuring lyrical prose, dense vocabulary, and numerous historical and linguistic references.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Francis Crawford of Lymond as he attempts to redeem his name amidst political intrigue, betrayal, and complex family dynamics during 16th century Scotland.

Setting:

The setting is primarily in 16th century Scotland, rich with historical detail and political intrigue during a critical moment in its history.

Pacing:

The pacing can be slow initially, requiring readers to persist through complexity, but picks up dramatically towards the latter parts.

First of ye chekker sail be macioune maidAnd sync efter of ye proper movingOf every man in ordour to his kingAnd as the chekker schawis us yis forneRicht so it mayc the kinrik and the crowne,The wand ...

Notes:

The Game of Kings is set in 1547 Scotland during political turmoil involving Mary Queen of Scots and Edward VI of England.

The protagonist, Francis Crawford of Lymond, returns home accused of treason and seeks to prove his innocence.

Dunnett's writing is known for its richness and complexity, filled with historical and literary allusions.

Readers note that the first hundred pages can be particularly challenging due to its dense character list and historical references.

The series combines real historical events and figures with fictional elements, making it a unique blend of historical fiction and adventure.

Lymond is characterized as a charming and morally ambiguous anti-hero, drawing comparisons to literary figures like the Count of Monte Cristo.

The books are celebrated for their intricate plots, character development, and deep exploration of themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and identity.

Dunnett's prose includes many quotations in Latin, French, and other languages, often requiring readers to look up definitions or translations.

The Lymond Chronicles consists of six books, and many readers strongly recommend reading them in order to fully appreciate the character development and story arcs.

Fans of the series often express a desire to reread the books, discovering new details and layers with each reading.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of treason, violence, and betrayal, with historical context that may depict harsh realities of the period.

From The Publisher:

Combining all the political intrigue of Game of Thrones with the sweeping romanticism of Outlander, Dorothy Dunnett's legendary Lymond Chronicles have enthralled readers for decades and amassed legions of devoted fans. The first book in the series introduces Dunnett's unforgettable antihero as he returns to Scotland with a wild plan to redeem his reputation and save his home.

The year is 1547. Scotland is clinging to independence after a humiliating English invasion. Paradoxically, the country's freedom may depend on a man who stands accused of treason. He is Francis Crawford of Lymond, a scapegrace nobleman of crooked felicities and murderous talents, with a scholar's erudition and a wicked tongue. Clawing his way back into a country that has outlawed him, and to a family that has turned its back on him, Lymond will prove that he has both the will and the cunning to clear his name and defend his people-no matter the cost.

Ratings (7)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (1)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (42):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (21)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (13)

1 comment(s)

shebephoebe

Loved It

1 week

One of my Top Five anticipated reads of the year! This was one of the largest books on my TBR for this year, so somehow getting the audiobook felt like cheating....

It came so highly recommended that I didn’t even know for sure

what the book was about. Turns out it’s historical fiction. Who knew?

The narrator was fantastic, even if I was a little confused until I adjusted to his accent. The plot was engaging, and I’m so ignorant regarding this period of history that immersion was never broken by my brain trying to reconcile fact with fiction. (I need to brush up on my history....) The characters were immediately charming, especially the ostentatious rogue Lymond, and I could see right off why people who like Gen would be drawn to him. I will say the large cast got a little unwieldy at times. This may be another case of “it would be easier to keep them all straight if I was actually reading it”.

It was a bit of a slog getting through the opening chapters and into what makes this story appealing, but it. was. worth it. I think this technically does fit the bill for a “historical epic”, not only in size but in scope. But I will need to read it again (probably twice) to really understand exactly what happened. And I’m going to have to gather a considerable store of unction if I am ever to dive into the sequels.

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About the Author:

Dorothy Dunnett was born in Dunfermline, Scotland. She is the author of the Lymond Chronicles; the House of Niccolò novels; seven mysteries; King Hereafter, an epic novel about Macbeth; and the text of The Scottish Highlands, a book of photographs by David Paterson,…

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