"For the Dorothy Dunnett devotee"

This book is only for the devoted Dorothy Dunnett reader. If you have read any or all of her historical sagas of Lymond or Niccolo, this is an invaluable addition. The amount of historical information contained in the books makes them a dense read on their own. This companion, and its earlier volume, add greatly to the historical perspective. But it is not for light reading. It needs to be used as a compendium while reading each novel. This book also highlights the level of research and historical knowledge of Ms. Dunnett. Her mode of overlaying stories with historical fact, and of fictional characters interacting with real historical figures is clearly seen with this volume.

Reviewed by Merrilee Heffernan
Posted March 17, 2002

Summary

The Dorothy Dunnett Companion II is an encyclopedic resource documenting the historical and literary riches of Dunnett's now-complete Lymond Chronicles and House of Niccolò series. In this second guide, Elspeth Morrison not only covers the final three Niccolò 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 series. Once again, Dunnett illuminates the real figures and events and the cultural and literary allusions she weaves into her works, translating foreign phrases and offering up fascinating background details on everything from golf and galley slaves to puffins and polar bears. Together with the first Companion, The Dorothy Dunnett Companion II provides an essential guide to the world of Lymond and Niccolò.