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amlibera's review
5.0
I have come to the conclusion that one reads Dorothy Dunnett's books primarily for the purpose of being given the pleasure of re-reading them. This is my third time through and so many scenes and moments are now in my memory that I somehow missed entirely in readings one and two. Not even her best but still brilliant with characters and incident.
sapphiredreamssmall's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
spiderelsa's review against another edition
This reads like a historical account, and I'm not in that headspace. It's still in my Kindle account, so I may come back to it.
hierophantical's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
krobart's review
5.0
If you love an authentic, well-researched, exciting historical novel that makes you almost feel like you are in the period, then I can’t recommend a better author than Dorothy Dunnett. I have been trying to get people to read her for years with the caveat that her books are challenging, not for the reader of light romantic history. In among the action of cattle raids, impersonations, intrigues, duels, and archery contests, you actually learn a lot about Scottish history and politics.
Game of Kings is Dunnett’s first book, and my only criticism of it is that Francis Crawford of Lymond is a bit too fond of quoting poetry in antique languages. Most of it is incomprehensible unless you are a medieval scholar, but skipping over it does not hurt your understanding of the novel.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-game-of-kings/
Game of Kings is Dunnett’s first book, and my only criticism of it is that Francis Crawford of Lymond is a bit too fond of quoting poetry in antique languages. Most of it is incomprehensible unless you are a medieval scholar, but skipping over it does not hurt your understanding of the novel.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-game-of-kings/
lauriestein's review
5.0
the historical detail - the clever dialogue - the myriad references - the tragic romantic hero - the angst - so wonderful.
ETA: reread September 2010
ETA: reread September 2010
cimorene1558's review
5.0
There's historical fiction, and then there's Dorothy Dunnett, who's head and shoulders above anyone else's historical fiction. Lymond is possibly my favourite fictional character ever, and these are quite definitely among my favourite books ever.
tonyriver's review
4.0
Well. I’m new to this author. This story is richly written with complex and interesting characters, some infuriating. The web is complex and really not understood till the end is nigh. The language requires concentration both because there is lots of the local argot, and untranslated quotations, but especially because it is so eventful and well written.
I recommend a break between reads, but I will return to this author for whatever the next episode holds for this cast of characters.
I recommend a break between reads, but I will return to this author for whatever the next episode holds for this cast of characters.
brandypainter's review
2.0
I wanted to love this book but it and I just didn't click. It seemed like the perfect book for me when I heard about it. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I love books with a good anti-hero. My very first research paper I wrote for high school I wrote on Mary Queen of Scots and I took a class on the Tudors and Stuarts one semester in college. This book seemed tailor made for me but I just could not get into it..
The historical setting of the book is marvelously written and the characters are interesting for the most part, when you can understand them. I was frustrated by all of the Spanish, French and Latin scattered through the book. It hampered my enjoyment of Lymond's personality because I could not understand half of what he was saying. The plot started off slow and consisted, at first, of nothing but caper after caper showcasing Lymond's brilliance. By the end of the book I was thoroughly annoyed with the man and could have cared less whether or not he was successful in his ultimate goal. He was almost a little too clever, jaded and cynical for my taste.
Because I wanted to like these books so much I started reading the second in the series when I finished this one and I had to stop. I just couldn't take it anymore. I will try to come back to them eventually but for now Lymond and I are saying adieu.
The historical setting of the book is marvelously written and the characters are interesting for the most part, when you can understand them. I was frustrated by all of the Spanish, French and Latin scattered through the book. It hampered my enjoyment of Lymond's personality because I could not understand half of what he was saying. The plot started off slow and consisted, at first, of nothing but caper after caper showcasing Lymond's brilliance. By the end of the book I was thoroughly annoyed with the man and could have cared less whether or not he was successful in his ultimate goal. He was almost a little too clever, jaded and cynical for my taste.
Because I wanted to like these books so much I started reading the second in the series when I finished this one and I had to stop. I just couldn't take it anymore. I will try to come back to them eventually but for now Lymond and I are saying adieu.
kathrinpassig's review against another edition
3.0
Ich hatte mehrere Rezensionen hier gesehen, in denen es hieß, es sei stilistisch grauenvoll überornamentiert, lohne sich aber trotzdem sehr. Ich habe sowieso nichts dagegen, wenn Autorinnen den Thesaurus von A bis Z durcharbeiten, ich mag lange und seltene Wörter. Die Beschreibungen des Lebens im 16. Jahrhundert waren vielleicht ein bisschen undetailliert (ich habe mich oft gefragt, warum so wenig gefroren wird etc.), aber auch das kann man so machen, und insgesamt habe ich mich relativ gut betreut gefühlt trotz der vielen Personen und der Verwicklungen um schottische, englische und französische Königshäuser. Aber der Held, der Held. Mit 14 wäre ich wahrscheinlich begeistert gewesen, denn Lymond kann einfach alles, ist polyglott, sieht super aus, erträgt alle Schikanen mit übermenschlicher Selbstbeherrschung, allenfalls wird er ein bisschen blass dabei, aber ich bin nicht mehr 14 und oh fuck off. Ich glaube, mich stört dabei vor allem, dass die Welt des Buchs und wahrscheinlich auch der Autorin eine ist, in der solche Helden verehrt werden, jede Konversation ein Dominanzspektakel ist und dieser Kampf vor allem durch das Aufeinanderstapeln von literarischen Zitaten geführt wird.