The Dorothy Dunnett Companion: Volume II

by Elspeth Morrison

Book Overview

Dorothy Dunnett has earned worldwide acclaim for the masterful blending of historical fact and imagination in her two series of novels set in brilliantly reconstructed fifteenth- and sixteenth-century landscapes. The Dorothy Dunnett Companion II is an encyclopedic resource that completes and expands the reach of the first Companion in documenting the historical and literary riches of Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles and House of Niccolo novels. In this...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375726683
• ISBN13: 9780375726682
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Dunnett Explained

Great companion and elucidator to the complex mind of Dorothy Dunnett and House of Niccolo Series. Lots of fascinating info and translations.

'What brought us both here? A joyous adventure.'

Volume II of the Dorothy Dunnett Companion completes and expands the first Companion by documenting all of the novels in both the House of Niccolo and the Lymond Chronicles. It complements, not replaces, the first Companion. For the devoted Dunnett reader, the Companion serves two purposes. Firstly, it provides a wealth of knowledge including translations of some of those non English phrases that made life difficult for some of us when tackling the books the first time around. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it keeps Lady Dunnett's erudition and sparkling humour alive for us. We see the application of her knowledge in the novels themselves but here, first hand, we experience the breadth and depth of knowledge and research that made both series so special. Highly recommended. Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Indispensable resource for Dunnett fans

Dorothy Dunnett's profound erudition and unprecedented ability to incorporate information into her novels set her apart from many, if not most, authors of historical fiction. The fact that her novels are so packed with information (as well as plot) is one of the reasons I love her books so much. I read her books, I devour her books, and I always want to learn more about the time periods she evokes so effectively.That is where this book comes in. The novels provide tantalizing glimpses into a rich and complex world; the Companion allows the interested reader to pursue these glimpses into the labyrinthine world of Renaissance life and politics. The Companion (and what I say here applies to both Volumes I and II) is organized alphabetically and makes it possible for the reader who wants to do so to learn more about the multitude of historical figures who are so beautifully woven into the novels.The Companion also provides the means for tracking down the quotations and other rhetorical devices that appear in the novels. The Companion carefully provides enough information to educate the reader, but not so much as to give away any of the plots of the novels. This is a delicate task, but is accomplished beautifully.We all miss Dorothy Dunnett. May her novels long survive in print, and may the number of her fans continue to grow. Books like the Companion will help to make sure that both of these exhortations remain reality.