Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles: The Enigma of Francis Crawford

by Scott Richardson

Since the first installment of Dunnett’s series was published in 1961, Francis Crawford of Lymond, the swashbuckling protagonist of the stories, has been captivating his fellow characters and readers alike. Instead of approaching the books primarily as historical fiction, Richardson, an enthusiastic admirer of the series, unravels the complexities of the main character by exploring his psychology, positioning the books within the genre of espionage, and examining Dunnett’s strategy of using games in her writing. Richardson’s insight and passion for his subject will inspire fans to revisit Dunnett’s series.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Scotland, History

269 pages, Hardcover

Published June 28, 2016

Reviews

[Carole-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is totally outside my comfort zone - aka I had to read slowly and concisely to understand this (really heavy) literary criticism of my most loved Lymond Chronicles, and my favouritest hero, Francis Crawford of Lymond.

My mind is blasted away; I never considered these books to be a spy novel, or theatrical acting, or inherent game-playing; and the comparison of Lymond to Odysseus is mind-bogglingly amazing (as to why I hadn't realised that myself!!)

So, Scott Richardson firstly takes us through the obvious critical stages: The Sidekick; The Double; and Family Complications. It's obvious (obviously!!) that both Will Scott and Robin Stewart are both sidekicks and doubles; but the inverse Double (Graham Reid Malett) came as a surprise (but shouldn't have done!)

Then comes the section of the Spy Novel, he uses the structure of the generic spy novel to break down each of the 6 books in turn. I am bemused, because THIS explains everything I've wondered about for the last 30-odd years (I only found these books in the mid-80's, but have re-read them almost every year since.)

We are taken through Concealment, where the usual plots and plans are hidden or misinformed or hoodwinked; and then through Theatre which explains why Lymond ACTS most of the time - oh, and lots of the other characters act too.

And finally the section on Games: both those of the Novel and those of the Narrator (aka Ms Dunnett). There are lots of games we are aware of, and those that we are not - even the way a chess game is developed strategically. There are games within games, and the Narrator has a lot to answer for, because she is playing us all the time, through all the books.

This is an intellectual book (no kidding!) and one needs to have read the six books of the Chronicles at least a number of times to understand all the references and referrals. This book too, needs re-reading, if only to understand the nuances inherent in a distinctive literary criticism.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Who is Lymond ?’

There would be no point in reading this book unless you’ve read (or are reading) Dorothy Dunnett’s marvellous six book series: the Lymond Chronicles (first published between 1961 and 975). The series, set in mid-16th-century Europe (with travel to Russia and around the Mediterranean) tells the story of a young Scottish nobleman, Francis Crawford of Lymond, from 1547 through 1558.

Scott Richardson writes:

‘This study of the Lymond Chronicles has in large part been elicited by my urge to come to terms with this fascinating, complex protagonist .’

And Lymond, to those of us who read and reread the novels, is certainly fascinating and complex. These novels challenge readers on a number of different levels. There a complex relationships and secrets. Lymond himself is erudite and tricky, possessed of near superhuman powers.

‘Nothing of importance in the Lymond Chronicles, however, is simple or direct .’

Scott Richardson analyses Lymond in a number of different roles (I prefer hero to spy) and also through the challenges he meets (and the games he plays) throughout the series. I say the games Lymond plays, but it is really the games the author is playing with the reader as we try to work out ‘who’, ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘when’.

I enjoyed reading this book for the different analyses of Lymond. I don’t agree with all of Scott Richardson’s conclusions, but I don’t need to. Like so many other Dunnett readers, I’ve been reading and rereading these novels for over thirty years, and I find something new to marvel at on each reread.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"These are not novels for those like King Philip of Spain who do not appreciate games, nor are they for those like Richard Crawford who need everything spelled out and aboveboard. They are novels for game players." This book satisfied my desire to talk to someone about Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles. I've met very few people who have read them, so talking them over to get a better understanding of them (and their appeal) has been an unscratched itch since I first read Game of Kings many years ago. Scott Richardson's analysis is appreciative of the books, insightful, well researched and written. He looks at the Lymond Chronicles as a hero's story, comparing it to other heroic narratives (like The Odyssey, for example), as an espionage novel, and as a series of games. I got to think about the Lymond Chronicles in new ways while reading this, and for that I am grateful.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not specifically a guide to the "chronicles' I urge anyone who is reading or has read them to get this book. Richardson provides an analysis of the main character - Lymond. He looks at Lymond as a hero, a spy, and through the games played by him (and the author) throughout the series. What I really liked about this book is how it clarified so many other things in the Chronicles. As I noted in my review of Checkmate - these are complicated books. Read this book right after you finish the Chronicles.

[Onni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the synopsis of the Lymond Chronicles and the analysis of the characterization of Francis Crawford-- also inspired me to read the Odyssey. I would recommend reading Richardson after going through all six of Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles at least once. First form your own opinions, and then evaluate what Richardson has to say. If you appreciate Dunnett and Lymond, you'll appreciate this book too.

[Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was fun revisiting the books in this way, I'm not completely certain this book is worth its price. Nothing struck me as revelatory or thought-provoking or a completely new way to look at my favorite historical series. What was nice to know was that someone cared enough about the Lymond Chronicles to invest this much work in them.

[Millicent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a rich and rewarding supplement to the six Lymond Chronicles and a great way to enhance appreciation of Dorothy Dunnett's work. Richardson considers the Chronicles through various lenses of literary criticism and themes, comparing the work to past (The Odyssey) and more contemporary (John LeCarre's spy novels) literature. I have to admit feeling some vindication from reading Richardson's book, as I've told everyone around me that, yes, Dorothy Dunnett's book *are* that good and *do* deserve to be taken seriously.

There's no point in reading Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles: The Enigma of Francis Crawford if you haven't read the Chronicles themselves. For those who have, I highly recommend this book -- it will make you appreciate Dunnett even more.