Niccolo Rising [Paperback]

Dorothy Dunnett (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Penguin (1975)
• ASIN: B000M634ZK
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars House of Niccolo series, August 16, 2000

By 

Rose Birba (Chula Vista, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Niccolò Rising: The First Book of The House of Niccolò (Paperback)

Complex characters, convoluted plots, and fascinating locations make the House Of Niccolo series of books a dream read for anyone who loves historical novels or adventure stories. Set during the Renaissance, the book's settings range from continental Europe to Asia Minor to Africa, Iceland, Russia and Scotland. The main character, Nicholas vander Poele, searches for his roots as he rises from apprentice dyeworker to banker and adviser to monarchs through a combination of intelligence, an engaging personality and ruthlessness. As the series progresses, he gathers to him a group of fascinating characters that are both drawn to his warmth and are repelled by his actions, as is the reader---he is exasperating, but we can always, always see his point of view. Dorothy Dunnett's muscular prose paints a man (and what a man!) and his world with colors that are by turns tender and bold, sensual and spiritual. I haven't read anything this good in this genre for ages. Lymond seems effete by comparison!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book and an Extraordinary Series, May 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Niccolò Rising: The First Book of The House of Niccolò (Paperback)

I have to admit from the start that I love Dorothy Dunnetts books. In my opinion, based on what historical fiction I've read, there is nothing comparable. That said, I certainly understand the point of view of her detractors. To say that the stories are complicated is an understatement. That there are many characters, some of which seem superfluous, cannot be denied. However, for the reader that can stick with it (and this is a big commitment), I guarantee an experience like no other. Virtually all of the characters come into play at some point in the story but this is difficult to see if one only reads 20 pages and hangs it up.

So, if you like the following:

- a challenging yet extremely entertaining read
- meticulous historical research
- historic characters skillfully blended with fully realized fictional characters
- complicated plots worked out over many, many books,

you should love the House of Niccolo.

In response to those who say she is no Sharon Kay Penman; I agree, she is far, far better!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intense historical fiction, December 6, 2004

By 

Linda Dolan (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Niccolò Rising: The First Book of The House of Niccolò (Paperback)

From the opening line: "From Venice to Cathay, from Seville to the Gold Coast of Africa, men anchored their ships and opened their ledgers . . . as if nothing would ever change," you know you're in for a treat. And you won't be disappointed, if you have the stamina! NICCOLO RISING, Book I in the House of Niccolo series, is an intense, mind-bending and intricate novel that introduces us to the alleged idiot savant, Nicholas, and documents his manipulative rise to power in 13th century Bruges. The book is filled with minute details of the time, and evocative imagery and scenes, such as an attempt on Nicholas' life involving fire and a barrel. We also meet the women who will overshadow his life, the beautiful uncertain Katerina and wilful child Gelis, as well as a host of memorable characters. Dunnett thoughtfully provides a cast of characters with asteriks to indicate who is real and who isn't; but in truth, once you sink into this overwhelming riot of Europe in the Middle Ages, Dunnett's acute grasp of her subject matter sweeps you away. You come up for air several hundred pages later, a little bewildered, yes, and certainly in need of a breather; yet also longing for more. Fortunately, there are eight more books to satisfy your appetite. Not for the faint-hearted, or those who like their historical fiction "watered down," NICCOLO RISING is a superb introduction to a superb series, an astounding medley of history and fiction that is equaled by none other than perhaps a recent debut novel I read titled THE SECRET LION by C.W. Gortner. As the Italians might say, aboondanza!