The Unicorn Hunt, To Lie With Lions by Dorothy Dunnett

[lightreads]

Faced with the impossible question of what you read after the Lymond chronicles, I went for more Dunnett. Books 4-6 of the post-written prequel series, set 90 years earlier. Nicholas, firmly in command of his fortunes, has just received a pair of grievous shocks on his wedding night. The Unicorn Hunt takes him to Scotland for the first time, and from there to Egypt and back, and then to Iceland. And it takes the length of both these large books for the full scope of his response to tragedy to unfold.

Okay, the problem is, coming straight off Lymond, these books are really cold. Particularly these two, in which Nicholas's detachment reaches frightening proportions. But more than that, these books don't have a holding center. That's the point, really – that's what Nicholas is trying to build while it's what Francis Crawford inherits in Scotland and his family. But I felt the lack a lot.

They're gorgeous books though, of course. Exquisitely balanced, screamingly funny, quite painful in places. And massive points for the portrayal of an actual friendship between a man and a woman. I really know her game at this point, though, so I called over half the major plot twists. Dunnett dances along that fine line between beautifully recursive plots that circle on themselves like an intricate spiral, and just plain repetition. It definitely works, though.

Comments

[grievous-angel.livejournal.com]

I admit that I've never managed to read this whole series, but that's just because they're not Lymond. By any other author I'd love them I'm sure!

[lightreads.livejournal.com]

I do think they're worth it, and if it's all heading where I think, the eight book run will be worth the end. But you're right, just different.

[josanpq.livejournal.com]

I adored...worshipped...loved the Lymond series. I really tried hard to like the Nicholas books, but gave up. I bought them all, but never really finished any after the first one. I never really understood why, but you put your finger right on it: But more than that, these books don't have a holding center

I found I could put on of these books down and it would be months before I would pick it up again. A new Lymond meant a night without sleep!

[lightreads.livejournal.com]

I do think they're worthwhile -- I found the second book a bit of a slog, but they develop their own, unLymond charm. Still, just not the same, in the end.