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Niccolo Rising: The First Book of The House of Niccolo | 
 enlarge | Author: Dorothy Dunnett
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy Used: $0.02
You Save: $15.93 (100%)
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Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 65357
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st Vintage Books Ed
Pages: 496
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0375704779
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780375704772
ASIN: 0375704779
Publication Date: March 30, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
With the bravura storytelling and pungent authenticity of detail she brought to her acclaimed Lymond Chronicles, Dorothy Dunnett, grande dame of the historical novel, presents The House of Niccol series. The time is the 15th century, when intrepid merchants became the new knighthood of Europe. Among them, none is bolder or more cunning than Nicholas vander Poele of Bruges, the good-natured dyer's apprentice who schemes and swashbuckles his way to the helm of a mercantile empire.
Niccol Rising, Book One of the series, finds us in Bruges, 1460. Jousting is the genteel pastime, and successful merchants are, of necessity, polyglot. Street smart, brilliant at figures, adept at the subtleties of diplomacy and the well-timed untruth, Dunnett's hero rises from wastrel to prodigy in a breathless adventure that wins him the hand of the strongest woman in Bruges and the hatred of two powerful enemies. From a riotous and potentially murderous carnival in Flanders, to an avalanche in the Alps and a pitched battle on the outskirts of Naples, Niccol Rising combines history, adventure, and high romance in the tradition stretching from Alexandre Dumas to Mary Renault.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 26 more reviews...
 Niccolo - a new passion January 8, 2000
Tracy McCoy (France)
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
Those of you who have read the Lymond series need no introduction to DD's talents. When you read the first book in the House of Niccolo series I can only say: Pay attention! Little events have big consequences. Niccolo is not Lymond and - so much the better! DD has created another completely fascinating character and the other completely fascinating characters to go with him - to everywhere. Read, learn, enjoy. The Byzantine court, Cypress, Bruges, Scotland (of course!), Venice, Africa, France, etc. An airmchair traveler's dream. Romance, intrigue, politics, money, banking, the Medicis, love and betrayal. Sorrow, fever, Mamalukes, camels, sieges, Aphrodite, ships, games, Kings, cold, hot, wet, suicide, exhaustion, The subjects of this series are endless. Read it and revel.
House of Niccolo series August 17, 2000
Rose Birba (Chula Vista, CA USA)
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
Complex characters, convoluted plots, and fascinating locations make the House Of Niccolo series of books a dream read for anyone who loves historical novels or adventure stories. Set during the Renaissance, the book's settings range from continental Europe to Asia Minor to Africa, Iceland, Russia and Scotland. The main character, Nicholas vander Poele, searches for his roots as he rises from apprentice dyeworker to banker and adviser to monarchs through a combination of intelligence, an engaging personality and ruthlessness. As the series progresses, he gathers to him a group of fascinating characters that are both drawn to his warmth and are repelled by his actions, as is the reader---he is exasperating, but we can always, always see his point of view. Dorothy Dunnett's muscular prose paints a man (and what a man!) and his world with colors that are by turns tender and bold, sensual and spiritual. I haven't read anything this good in this genre for ages. Lymond seems effete by comparison!
my review May 31, 2001
Ana Maria Barrenechea (Westboro, Ma United States)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
This is the first book in the series from this author. In this book we are introduced, not only to the main character, Claes or Nicholas, but also to everything that is going on in the middle of the 15th century. We learn about Bruges, the center of trade for all of northern Europe, of Milan, Geneva, and the way business and trade was done in those days.I grew up in Brussels, therefore I feel very close to the main setting of this book, as well as the history of the region. But also, the book just draws you into its plot. You cannot help it, but very soon you want to defend Claes and hope that he can vanquish his enemies and also you feel extremely happy when he is able to lift himself from being a simple servant to his present station. The places, people, history, everything is masterfully detailed by the author. If you love history, this book is just "what the doctor ordered". I hope everyone that reads this book enjoys it as I have done, and I am so looking forward to all the sequels.
Excellent Book and an Extraordinary Series May 20, 2003
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
I have to admit from the start that I love Dorothy Dunnetts books. In my opinion, based on what historical fiction I've read, there is nothing comparable. That said, I certainly understand the point of view of her detractors. To say that the stories are complicated is an understatement. That there are many characters, some of which seem superfluous, cannot be denied. However, for the reader that can stick with it (and this is a big commitment), I guarantee an experience like no other. Virtually all of the characters come into play at some point in the story but this is difficult to see if one only reads 20 pages and hangs it up.So, if you like the following: - a challenging yet extremely entertaining read
- meticulous historical research
- historic characters skillfully blended with fully realized fictional characters
- complicated plots worked out over many, many books, you should love the House of Niccolo. In response to those who say she is no Sharon Kay Penman; I agree, she is far, far better!
 A great read--especially for lovers of the Euro-Renaissance. September 17, 1999
14 out of 17 found this review helpful
I was drawn to this book when I noticed the Italian name in the title. I love the historical period of the European Renaissance--particularly the Italian and the English (different in nature though they are). This book is very entertaining, with interesting characters and a lot of details about life in that time and age. It's not what I'd call "Great Writing," but it is fun and does grab the imagination and run with it, in the same way some science fiction-fantasy novels do. I guess it's rather escapist in nature. But if that's what you like, then here it is, in all its pomp, circumstance, grandure, and glory. This book is also part of a longer series, which is great if you're like me: I hate when a good story ends. :)
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