DOLLY&BIRD OF PARADISE

Rating:
Summary: A "modern Lymond" fails to stir
Review: Dorothy Dunnett is the celebrated authoress of the Francis Crawford of Lymond series (beginning with THE GAME OF KINGS), which to many are the definitive works of historical fiction by a living author. For some unfathomable reason, her "Dolly" books (of which BIRD OF PARADISE is the first) don't work nearly so well. They somehow fall flat on their faces - laboured, uneven, and lacking excitement. BIRD OF PARADISE is actually one of the better ones, but even so it seems pale and sickly, particularly when compared to the vibrancy and grippingness of the Lymond books.

The premise for these books don't portend disaster; they are light-weight and set in the latter twentieth century. Each book is self-contained, and is narrated by a different woman (the "bird" in the title). The hero (an English spy and world-famous portrait-painter) makes a enigmatic appearance in all. The stories are in the style of the Gothic romance: There is suspense, danger and mystery, and sometimes a dash of romance. You wouldn't think there would be difficulty in this, and there is nothing obviously bad about the writing itelf, yet the stories just don't take off.

Nonetheless, a Lymond fan might find these books an interesting comparison. Lymond is the definitive romantic super-hero: An astute politician, a brilliant soldier and tactician, charismatic leader of men and armies, master spy and dissembler, accomplished musician, razor-sharp intellectual and outstanding lover; while endowed with fierce patriotism, integrity, loyalty and a sense of humour, he also has a rapier wit, a brutal streak, and neurotic tendencies (in the fine tradition of the mysterious and tormented hero). A favourite parlour game of Lymond fans is: How much is Lymond a product of his time? In other words, what would he be like if he lived in our day and age? Would he be a statesman? Perhaps a diplomatic? A cutting-edge scientist who in his spare time writes devastating classical music critiques and fences competitively?

I believe that DD's answer, consciously or otherwise, is in Johnson Johnson, the hero of the "Dolly" books. It is too jarring for a persona as dashing and glittering as Lymond drop into our real world in all his flamboyant glory. JJ is Lymond in essence, but banked down. The mystery is achieved by him hiding behind a pair of bifocal glasses (which, you will come to realise, he doesn't actually need), an inscrutable expression and a mild manner. His intellectual and scheming prowess are exercised in the course of his real vocation of a spy in Her Majesty's service, which also serves to display his patriotism and his enigma. His artistic side is expressed in his portrait painting, and the assassination of his wife (which occurs before the book begins its narrative) hints at his torment. Dashingness is supplied via the sleekness and luxury of his yacht, "Dolly". I feel sure that while JJ can not sweep around in period clothing, cut dashes through royal courts or win glory through soldiering as Lymond could, he can be as interesting a character, even within the constraints of the more familiar twentieth century. Unfortunately, in DD transporting her creation through time, something seems to have been lost along the way, and the reader is left feeling disappointed and flat. JJ is not nearly as arresting a character as Lymond, and the narratives are not nearly as interesting.

Rating:
Summary: This one is a Prequel to the other Dolly books!
Review: Once you realize that the book is a prequel to the other Dolly books, a lot of it starts to make more sense. In this book we hear a little bit about the accident that killed JJ"s wife and the damage it did to him. We also meet a very interesting Bird - a makeup artist no less. Her hair colour changes with the weather in the book, and that is where she gets the name "bird of Paradise". Rita is quite a gal! As she says "wee", but mighty. There is a lot of confusinon in the story, and it takes some sharp interpretations to stay ahead of the enigmatic Johnson, and I have to admit that I didn't succeed when it came to the discovery of Rita's origin. But we visit Madeira, Barbados and St. Lucia and that is wonderful thing. The book bears the Dunnett trademarks - bright dialogue, exotic settings, cheerful characters (though with more secrets than we can imagine. A pretty wild ride overall!

Rating:
Summary: This one is a Prequel to the other Dolly books!
Review: Once you realize that the book is a prequel to the other Dolly books, a lot of it starts to make more sense. In this book we hear a little bit about the accident that killed JJ"s wife and the damage it did to him. We also meet a very interesting Bird - a makeup artist no less. Her hair colour changes with the weather in the book, and that is where she gets the name "bird of Paradise". Rita is quite a gal! As she says "wee", but mighty. There is a lot of confusinon in the story, and it takes some sharp interpretations to stay ahead of the enigmatic Johnson, and I have to admit that I didn't succeed when it came to the discovery of Rita's origin. But we visit Madeira, Barbados and St. Lucia and that is wonderful thing. The book bears the Dunnett trademarks - bright dialogue, exotic settings, cheerful characters (though with more secrets than we can imagine. A pretty wild ride overall!