The Dorothy Dunnett Companion (Volume II) [Paperback]

Elspeth Morrison (Author)

Book Description

Series: Vintage Original | Publication Date: April 16, 2002

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 Niccol˜ novels. In this second guide, Elspeth Morrison not only covers the final three Niccol˜ novels for the first time, but also provides a wealth of additional information about all of the earlier novels and highlights the links between the two now-completed series. Once again, she illuminates the real figures and events and the cultural and literary allusions Dunnett weaves into her works, translating foreign phrases and offering up fascinating background details, from the history of golf and the argot of galley slaves to the uses of puffins and polar bears. Together with the first Companion, The Dorothy Dunnett Companion II provides a complete and essential guide to the world of Lymond and Niccolo.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Dunnett's novels are] vivid, engaging, densely plotted . . . sustained by a riot of tangible detail that makes real the world she has conjured up. . . . Dunnett brings to bear her remarkable powers of description, giving us the 15th-century Mediterranean in animated miniature. . . . The effect is spectacular." —The New York Times Book Review

"[Dunnett is] the finest living writer of historical fiction." —The Washington Post Book World

From the Inside Flap

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 Niccol? novels. In this second guide, Elspeth Morrison not only covers the final three Niccol? novels for the first time, but also provides a wealth of additional information about all of the earlier novels and highlights the links between the two now-completed series. Once again, she illuminates the real figures and events and the cultural and literary allusions Dunnett weaves into her works, translating foreign phrases and offering up fascinating background details, from the history of golf and the argot of galley slaves to the uses of puffins and polar bears. Together with the first Companion, The Dorothy Dunnett Companion II provides a complete and essential guide to the world of Lymond and Niccolo.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (April 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375726683
• ISBN-13: 978-0375726682
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #659,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable resource for Dunnett fans, April 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dorothy Dunnett Companion (Volume II) (Paperback)

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.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'What brought us both here? A joyous adventure.', February 20, 2007

By 

J. Cameron-Smith "Expect the Unexpected" (ACT, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dorothy Dunnett Companion (Volume II) (Paperback)

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

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dunnett Explained, May 25, 2007

By 

Alexandra L. Volkerts "foxfire13" (Montana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dorothy Dunnett Companion (Volume II) (Paperback)

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