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A review by trin
The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett
5.0
Reread. Oh, Lymond.
This book demands a lot from its reader: the plot is twisty and intricate and at times even confusing; the prose is laden with allusion and song and a great deal of untranslated Latin and French. At the same time, it's a thrilling swashbuckling capital R-Romantic romp. And oh, the characters. Oh, Lymond.
I am impressed anew by how Dunnett builds him up into this impossible, larger-than-life figure: the most clever, the most calculating, the greatest leader of men, the unbeatable fighter, the razor-tongued wit and pretentious pontificator, the lovable rogue, the scandalous rake, The Most Interesting Man in the World. And then she slowly chips away at all his artifice and so brilliantly reveals his vulnerability and all his flaws in such a way as to render him human again -- and only make you love him better. Though delivered wet with crocodile tears, the line lamenting his "beautiful hands" -- now ruined -- still kills me. As does the first sly allusion to his age, and his early interactions with Philippa, and when Richard finally breaks and calls him "Francis" again. Oh, oh, Lymond.
Anyway, my point is he's A++ Literary Boyfriend Material and I love these silly, delightful books.
This book demands a lot from its reader: the plot is twisty and intricate and at times even confusing; the prose is laden with allusion and song and a great deal of untranslated Latin and French. At the same time, it's a thrilling swashbuckling capital R-Romantic romp. And oh, the characters. Oh, Lymond.
I am impressed anew by how Dunnett builds him up into this impossible, larger-than-life figure: the most clever, the most calculating, the greatest leader of men, the unbeatable fighter, the razor-tongued wit and pretentious pontificator, the lovable rogue, the scandalous rake, The Most Interesting Man in the World. And then she slowly chips away at all his artifice and so brilliantly reveals his vulnerability and all his flaws in such a way as to render him human again -- and only make you love him better. Though delivered wet with crocodile tears, the line lamenting his "beautiful hands" -- now ruined -- still kills me. As does the first sly allusion to his age, and his early interactions with Philippa, and when Richard finally breaks and calls him "Francis" again. Oh, oh, Lymond.
Anyway, my point is he's A++ Literary Boyfriend Material and I love these silly, delightful books.