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Original poster

Dorothy Dunnett - why has it taken me so long?

158 replies

Sausagenbacon · 06/06/2023 19:42

Now and again someone has recommended DD to me, and I've always given up on them, finding them too dense. But, for some reason, the Niccolo series has 'clicked' for me. I'm half-way through the 5th one.
I just can't believe how good they are, and amazing female characters are found in them.
I'm already worried about finishing the last one. Are the Lymond books as good?

OP posts:
LovelaceBiggWither · 07/09/2023 01:51

I hope your eye heals up quickly Treaclewell!

Talipesmum · 06/09/2023 21:42

Treaclewell · 06/09/2023 18:54

Weep for me - I left Lymond in GoK captued, and went to hospital where they injected my good eye, scampered back, to find I can't read it. Being paper I can't blow it up. The mag glass is woozy. I shakk have rp wait till it wears off. And I wasnt now abar happens next.

Listen to it on audible!

Treaclewell · 06/09/2023 18:54

Weep for me - I left Lymond in GoK captued, and went to hospital where they injected my good eye, scampered back, to find I can't read it. Being paper I can't blow it up. The mag glass is woozy. I shakk have rp wait till it wears off. And I wasnt now abar happens next.

LovelaceBiggWither · 06/09/2023 09:26

Dunnett requires slow reading for me.

Phillippa was joining him in his gutter. It was the only way to hold him to the marriage and keep him from going back to Russia to be killed.

Original poster
Sausagenbacon · 06/09/2023 08:06

I've now restarted checkmate and, 2nd time round, things make more sense. I'm normally a fast reader, and I think that dd doesn't suit fast readers.
But, from the 1st reading, and SPOILER ALERT

did Phillippa think she was going to be raped? And don't other posters find that level of sacrifice distasteful?

OP posts:
LovelaceBiggWither · 05/09/2023 04:26

It has to be read! You have to find out what is really going on!

mimbleandlittlemy · 04/09/2023 17:10

Not read Checkmate? I have to go and lie down for a bit. It's a total wonder of a book.

Original poster
Sausagenbacon · 03/09/2023 08:58

Oh dear, having started this thread, I've failed at the last hurdle. I just couldn't be bothered to read the last Lymond. Like the Niccolo books, the love bit is just too extended.
And I'm finding Lymond less and less interesting.
Maybe I'll give it another go next year.

OP posts:
CeliaNorth · 30/08/2023 22:57

This thread should have spoiler warnings.
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The Hall of Revels scene is one of my favourites in the whole saga. Along with the chase through Paris in Checkmate (shamelessly ripped off by Diana Gabaldon).

pollyhemlock · 30/08/2023 21:20

Treaclewell · 30/08/2023 19:23

And Philippa doesn't wilt.

True. Although in Ringed Castle she knocks herself out and he carries her through the Savoy garden to where she’s staying and lays her gently on her bed. I could live with that.

Treaclewell · 30/08/2023 19:23

And Philippa doesn't wilt.

Treaclewell · 30/08/2023 17:32

Not in any of those avatars, though.

pollyhemlock · 30/08/2023 08:37

True about some of the covers. Though personally I wouldn’t mind wilting in Lymond’s arms if the situation required it.

mimbleandlittlemy · 29/08/2023 20:35

Oh lord yes. There are some notoriously awful covers.

Treaclewell · 29/08/2023 19:42

As a result of that post, I've read about her opening sentence for the Game of Kings, and got caught, ordered it from ebay, and a guide to all 6 books. That'll keep me busy. I must say, most of the covers are awful! I pick the order from ones that don't show wilting women in his arms.

mimbleandlittlemy · 29/08/2023 12:01

People interested in Dorothy Dunnett might find some of this interesting:

https://www.nls.uk/dorothy-dunnett-centenary/

Dorothy Dunnett Centenary

https://www.nls.uk/dorothy-dunnett-centenary

Treaclewell · 26/08/2023 12:09

Even more problems accessing those messages now. My original email address is now dead and I can't login without it or change it. Thus name change and new account. So could mimbleandlittlemy post them again to my new name? Not to worry if not, it is just bad karma, I suppose.

londonmummy1966 · 11/08/2023 12:45

@Treaclemine been lurking as I love DD - the problem with PMs is known and MNHQ have it on their fix list. I did a thread on it a while ago. IF you can pull MN up on CHrome and go to the site menu in the top righthand corner and click on "show side bar" you will be able to access your messages - a rather better explanation of how to do it on here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/4847578-problem-accessing-dms

Problem accessing DMs | Mumsnet

I use a laptop for MN and have not had this problem before but today all I can see is the top third or so of the private message screen with no way of...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/4847578-problem-accessing-dms

mimbleandlittlemy · 11/08/2023 12:16

That is very weird.

Treaclemine · 11/08/2023 10:33

Well, the others haven't arrived, and the first is now invisble. The PM pagr won't scroll, so I can only see a bit by turning my hybrid to portrait! Weird.

mimbleandlittlemy · 04/08/2023 15:11

There should be three more at some point.

Treaclemine · 04/08/2023 14:57

Only one through so far. Thanks for it. My computer isn't very intuitive for reading PMs, of which this is the first time I have had some.

mimbleandlittlemy · 04/08/2023 14:05

Treaclemine - have sent you a screed of PMs.

Treaclemine · 04/08/2023 13:02

I'm going to have to reread all of them now. Aren't I?

Treaclemine · 04/08/2023 13:01

Yes please. I've got a lot of the significance, but the fate of Philippa's money is bothering me. Did I miss the bankers converting it to draughts and sending it to Britain? I was reading fast to get to the conclusion and the bit I was checking on. (which wasn't in it!)

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