Caprice and Rondo: Book Seven of the House of Niccolo

This the seventh book in the Niccolo series does offer some explanations of Nicholas's early life and gives some reasons as to why he did the things that he did. Brilliant Nicholas has been exciled to Poland. He tries to forget all of his previous life and become a devil-may-care pirate, but his history keeps coming in to interfere, and he has to resume his life in order to protect those that are dearest to him. In this book we contine to see the beautiful Anna, Julius's wife, and without giving the story away she is certainly not what she seems. We also see Nicholas and Gelis get back together at the end of the story. That is indeed a happy occasion, but it puzzles me where Katalejne fits into this. We don't see much of her in this story, and that is a great loss since I for one feel that she is by far the superior heroine in this series.I can't wait to read the last book in the series. Perhaps then things will all make sense. I found that there were some similarities between this series and the Lymond series, and that disappoints a bit, since the Lymond series is so superior. But this is still a good series and it's well worth the time spent to read it. I recommend reading all the books in the series in the order that they written.

Caprice was everything I expected from Dorothy Dunnet, and I expect a lot. Great atmosphere, great story. But warning, don't start with this book. Read others in the series first. Like all the Niccolo and Lymond books, Caprice is beautifully researched and difficult to follow in the beginning pages. There are dozens of characters, most witty, and they often read each other's minds. Even minor players have large roles, so that following their conversations--and indeed who's talking--takes some getting used to. But there's a reward. Soon, you catch on and and it's a joy. Dunnet's ellipses let you participate much more than a simpler presentation that gives every character's every thought to you straight up. These people become your own family, friends, acquaintances and enemies. Unlike another reviewer, I found the characters exquisite, but then I know them from several prior books. It really helps to read the first book, Niccolo Rising, if not the ones between, to understand Nicolas and sympathize with him. And I doubt Gelis, Nicolas'wife, or her actions would have any meaning at all to readers who had not sufferred through her betrayal in earlier books. But it's still a great story. This edition does have a nice list of characters and summary of the plots from previous books, which are very welcome.

It becomes increasingly clear in this, the seventh novel about Niccolo, that the focus of this whole saga shows deep interrelation with the author's earlier "lymond" series. In fact, Lymond's mother, Sybilla Semple, is clearly a 'St. Pol' and shares the same coloring as both Niccolo's father, Simon and Niccolo's elder son, Henry. If this all sounds as though the author, Dorothy Dunnett, can weave her spell around you-it's true. Her world is so vividly realized, yet the basic 'detective' element at the core of it (not for nothing has Dunnett also written some first-rate thrillers) will keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next installment. Fabulous in every way; a little melodramatic in spots, but meticulously researched.

The gorgeous tapestry of the Niccolo series continues to be woven by artist/author Dunnett in the seventh volume. You could almost say this is the conclusion but surely it can't be! There are characters... no- people whose fate is unknown. Of course, that is just an example of how apparently life-like these novels are, carrying you into another time and place along with the persons- historical and otherwise- whose lives you are privileged to be a witness to. Thank you, Lady Dorothy.

In this 7th volume in Dunnett's intricate, superb historical series, protagonist Nicholas de Fleury is bent upon an aimless, self-destructive existence, matching pirate Paul Benecke drink for drink and woman for woman after being exiled from Scotland for plotting to destroy the country. But Nicholas' natural curiosity and intelligence are soon rekindled by a visit from his former mentor, Julius and Julius' beautiful, mysterious wife, Anna. Nicholas is lured on an adventure which will take him to the courts of Russia while he searches for the gold which was stolen from his in Cyprus. As usual, Dunnett has deftly woven a fascinating tapestry of history,culture and character. In Nicholas, Dunnett has created a complex, infinitely fascinating hero; a man capable of creating brilliant works of art but also capable of acts of astonishing cruelty. Nicholas' contradictory nature was shaped by his tragic childhood which is revealed when Nicholas' wife, Gelis, embarks on a mission to find the truth about his disputed parentage. Is Simon St. Pol really Nicholas's father or was his mother unfaithful as Simon has always claimed? Gelis hopes to understand what drives Nicholas in his relentless manipulation of people and events. Few authors have ever achieved the mastery of plot and character that Dunnett has developed. Her historical novels demand a level of commitment far greater than the average bestseller. But the reader is rewarded with a sophisticated, absorbing drama that becomes addictive.