Rating: 
Summary: Not her best, but still quite good....
Review: There are some reviewers here who question critically whether Dorothy Dunnett has accurately identified the historical MacBeth in her novel, King Hereafter. Need I point out the irony? Whether MacBeth was Thorfinn, Earl of Orkney, or Duncan, King of Alba, or someone else entirely, has little to do with the value of this book - a work of historical fiction. After completing Dunnett's 8-volume House of Niccolo, I quickly added her to my list of favorite authors. At first impression, her writing style could be called cryptic, even disjointed, her cadence unfamiliar. Her research is impeccable and without some foreknowledge of the period setting, Dunnett's density and detail may frustrate the reader. An 8-volume work affords the reader much time to become acquainted with author and subject. Not so, in the single-volume King Hereafter. One must have some experience with Dunnett or truly be a fan of the age and genre to rejoice in this tale of MacBeth. Yet, one need not rejoice in a book to find it, in the end, a worthy read. If the reader can navigate the obscure asides in which she clearly revels, become comfortable with her unique rythym, Dunnett's King Hereafter will engross and enchant, will certainly educate, and provide it's consumer much pleasure. A rousing 11th-century tale of royal intrigue, power politics, romance, and wry humor spanning the breadth of medieval Europe, King Hereafter easily merits 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Not her best, but still quite good....
Review: There are some reviewers here who question critically whether Dorothy Dunnett has accurately identified the historical MacBeth in her novel, King Hereafter. Need I point out the irony? Whether MacBeth was Thorfinn, Earl of Orkney, or Duncan, King of Alba, or someone else entirely, has little to do with the value of this book - a work of historical fiction. After completing Dunnett's 8-volume House of Niccolo, I quickly added her to my list of favorite authors. At first impression, her writing style could be called cryptic, even disjointed, her cadence unfamiliar. Her research is impeccable and without some foreknowledge of the period setting, Dunnett's density and detail may frustrate the reader. An 8-volume work affords the reader much time to become acquainted with author and subject. Not so, in the single-volume King Hereafter. One must have some experience with Dunnett or truly be a fan of the age and genre to rejoice in this tale of MacBeth. Yet, one need not rejoice in a book to find it, in the end, a worthy read. If the reader can navigate the obscure asides in which she clearly revels, become comfortable with her unique rythym, Dunnett's King Hereafter will engross and enchant, will certainly educate, and provide it's consumer much pleasure. A rousing 11th-century tale of royal intrigue, power politics, romance, and wry humor spanning the breadth of medieval Europe, King Hereafter easily merits 4 stars.
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