I’m tempted to follow an idea Simon had during a twitter conversation and just post a photo of this book with a single line: “Read it!” But I won’t because a) that would be cheating (right?) and b) although Dorothy Dunnett is one of my favorite authors, and most people have never heard of her, I’m always a bit afraid to recommend her to everyone.
The House of Niccolò series take place in the mid-15th century, at the height of the Renaissance, in all its glorious political intrigues and (mis)alliances. Once again Dunnett covers locations and events not often seen in historical fiction, brilliantly mixing fictional and real characters: the first book, Niccolò Rising, was mainly set in Flanders; the wonder that’s The Spring of the Ram takes us to Trebizond, last strong-hold of the Byzantine Empire, and Race of Scorpions is about the battle for Cyprus.
Two siblings – James and Charlotte – fight for control of the island and its wealth, but there’s more at stake than Cyprus’ sugar plantations. The fate of this strategic trade post may tip the balance of power between the different European Kings and Queen, between Catholics and Muslims, the Pope and the Sultan, between Genoese, Florentine, Venetians and other mercantile powers.
Both James and Charlotte know about Niccolò de Fleury’s abilities and resourcefulness and both want him on their side. They know he grew up as a mischievous apprentice in a Bruges dye-works, but that his youthful and unassuming exterior hide a brilliant mind that feeds on riddles, mathematics, mechanics, pranks and patterns of all types. A mind that over the last two books created one of the richest banks and textile companies in Europe, and played an important role in the fate of Trebizond.
So the scene is set for a fantastic romp through the Mediterranean.
Before starting Race of Scorpions I read two books that warned about the myth of the “lonely genius” that single-handedly changes the world. While in theory and in real-life I tend to agree, these characters make up one hell of a story! Niccolò is that type of person.
You’re constantly being surprised by his next move. He consistently manages to get into hard spots, but the web of connections and loyalties he’s carefully accumulated usually provide a way out – often an unexpected way, and almost always a way that makes you realize he has outwitted you, and everyone else, yet again.
There are eight books in the series and I’m reading them at the rate of one per year, to make them last. Race of Scorpions was part of my Top 10 of 2011.
As always when I post about Dorothy Dunnett I must make a disclaimer: they’re not easy books. The plot seems larger than life and the political intrigues are complex and demanding. But she rewards you ten-times over for your effort.
Little aside for those who’ve read the book (no spoilers): at one point I felt a decrease in my reading speed (and interest), when Niccolò keeps travelling from one place to the other. Two minutes after I formulated that thought Dunnett hits me with The Moth Scene. Wow. Probably the best literary scene of 2011. Also, I’m looking forward to having Gelis back in Scales of Gold – hope she’s at Philippa’s level!
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Other thoughts: The Books that Light Reads, Half-real Worlds of Paper and Ink, Words in Flight (yours?)
9 comments
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January 6, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Patty
if anything, I want to read the Rising and the Scorpions, to see whether I recognise the places I’ve been to…
January 6, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Kailana
I have a hard time tracking down her books. The ones I have are all second-hand finds from random parts in the series. What they need is e-books… One day I will read her. I think this series is a bit easier to get than her older one. And, it has been a while since I looked so maybe all of her books are easy to get now.
January 6, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Lena
Kailana, all of the Lymond and Niccolo series are available as ebooks for Kindle or in epub format. So now you have no excuse. 🙂
January 7, 2012 at 1:20 am
Teresa
As I think you know, I love Dunnett, too, but I’m also sometimes hesitant to recommend her books because they do take some focus. I’ve read all her historical books once (and KH twice), and I’ve been itching for a reread of Lymond recently. It’s been 12 years or so since I read it, so I’m due!
January 7, 2012 at 3:13 am
simhedges
Gelis is certainly an interesting characters – although rather different from Philippa.
January 7, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Victoria
I really enjoyed the Dunnett books I read from the Lymond series, but made the fatal mistake of leaving it too long to read the third book. Now I feel as though I don’t remember enough to read on without rereading the first two. As you say, they are so involved and concentrated that you can’t just drift in and out of them.
January 9, 2012 at 12:05 am
FleurFisher
Sounds wonderful! I love the look of Dorothy Dunnett’s books and I’ve been collecting, but they are having to wait for a time when life is a little less complicated so I can give them time and attention.
June 26, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Scales of Gold (The House of Niccolò #4) by Dorothy Dunnett « The Sleepless Reader
[…] or Second World War wherever. Scales of Gold picks up right after our hero Niccolò manages to escape Cyprus. It’s 1464 and he’s about to enter yet another crazy commercial endeavor, this time […]
January 24, 2014 at 6:25 am
Darkest Hero (@KateSherrod)
The moth scene was pretty good, and it was very sneaky to impregnate a veil with pheromone (at least I think that’s what happened). That was by far the best bit of this book which was otherwise a bit of a slog. I hated all the new characters and missed Julius and Gregorio and the sisters Charetty something fierce!