From Venice to Caffa, from Antwerp to the Gold Coast of Africa, merchants anchored their ships and unloaded their cannon and flipped open their ledgers as if in twenty years nothing had changed, and nothing was about to change now.
Last night I finally begun the last book of Dorothy Dunnett’s House of Niccolò series. I’d ended my previous read two days ago and still hadn’t found the right time to pick up Gemini. But last night, at around 9:30PM, when David was finally asleep and the husband was out for a concert, I made myself comfortable with a rare after-dinner Coke, got the two Companions, put the BBC on mute for company, and finally was able to engaged my brain 100% – Dunnett never asks for (or deserves) anything less.
This means I’ll soon end my first-time reading of her historical series. I’ve been postponing this moment since I first begun The Lymond Chronicles (Niccolò‘s sequel in plot but prequel in publication date) back in 2009 and my reading life was changed for ever. From then on, every historical fiction (every fiction really!) will always be compared to these books.
Two chapters in and the Companions had already failed me in translating the Middle Scots opening quote, there was a line to be discussed with other fans in the yahoo group (“He had met other husbands like this. Men who could sail but not navigate.“) and I got the sudden urge to eat oysters. It’s going to be a ride.
I already know that for the rest of my life I’ll always be re-reading Dunnett and will always find something new to awe me, but first-time readings are special. The end of Gemini will be the end of an Era and I’m feeling rather emotional about it.
The Sleepless Reader 
14 comments
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February 1, 2016 at 9:13 pm
Helen
I loved Gemini, but I understand why you’ve been postponing reading it. You can only read these books for the first time once, after all. 🙂 Enjoy!
February 7, 2016 at 7:12 pm
Alex
Thanks Helen! Are you considering a re-read at some point?
February 7, 2016 at 8:33 pm
Helen
Yes, I’ll definitely re-read them! Like you, I think I’ll probably be re-reading Dunnett for the rest of my life. There were so many things I missed or didn’t understand the first time.
February 2, 2016 at 1:52 am
Bill Marshall
Savour it like the fine wine that her writing is. It’s a very different feel to Checkmate of course, and the emotions are quite different on completion, but it’s a fitting conclusion to a wonderful saga.
And you’re so right about the re-reads and comparing everything else to them – you’ll be wanting to get back to Lymond in no time. But do read King Hereafter as well – it’s a masterpiece.
February 7, 2016 at 7:13 pm
Alex
King Hereafter is already in the shelf, waiting for Gemini to end!
February 2, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Lisbeth Ekelöf
Sounds intruiging! I have never heard of her, but will have to try now.
February 7, 2016 at 7:14 pm
Alex
Do try her Lisbeth! I don’t recommend her to everyone because she’s… a challenge 🙂
February 5, 2016 at 2:05 pm
AnneL
Enjoy! Having just finished Gemini for the second time, I have to say that I think that Dorothy Dunnett is even better the second time around. You read the first time to find out what happens but the second time for why and how it happens.
February 7, 2016 at 7:15 pm
Alex
I completely understand what you mean Anne! Right now I just want to find out how it ends! I’ll leave all the details for the years to come 🙂
February 5, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Terenia
Being mid-way through my first re-read of HoN, I have to agree with AnneL, the reread is a total delight. They lose none of the excitement and beauty, but also gain an entirely new level of complexity that you don’t see the first time through. Enjoy your first read, though!
And I enthusiastically second Bill’s suggestion of King Hereafter.
February 7, 2016 at 7:16 pm
Alex
Thanks Terenia. I haven’t consulted the Companions very much during this first read, but I have the feeling they’ll come much more handy during the re-reads.
February 6, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Victoria @ Eve's Alexandria
I absolutely must go back to Dorothy Dunnett. I started on the Lymond series years and years ago but never got further than Queen’s Play because I didn’t let myself read them one after the other and kept loosing the thread. I know I would love her. Maybe I should start again with King Hereafter if it’s a standalone?
February 7, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Terenia
I love King Hereafter (it may be my favorite but I can’t see past Niccolo when I’m in his world), but it’s generally considered harder going than either of the two series. Still, it’s equally evocative, action-packed, and heartbreaking.
February 7, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Alex
I found the first 2 the hardest. It’s almost as if Dunnett is setting you a challenge and only the strong will be rewarded! Likely though, she was just getting into stride. As Terenia said, I hear King Hereafter is very dense, so maybe give Lymond another go, from the start?