Whispering Gallery, Issue 167

Our headline article, which has inspired our choice of front cover image, is the first of a new series that looks at the roles of the prominent priests and prophets in Dunnett’s narratives, and their interactions with characters in the books.

The character of Sybilla has long divided readers’ opinions: she inspires adoration in those around her yet her choices both in action and in non-action are perceived by many as baffling and selfish. Do we love Sybilla? A reader argues that we should.

A first-time visitor to the Dunnett Archive at the National Library of Scotland recounts the highlights of her visit, picking out some of the gems she came across in Dunnett’s notebooks, and two essays provide specialised, historical background to the culture of the early Renaissance.

Our new image-based series pictures the alchemy scene from The Game of Kings, we review Leicester Day and we examine the significance of Richard’s journey to Perth.

Contents

• The Chair’s Column
• Trustees’ Notice Board
• Members’ Page
• A Dunnett Lexicon
• ‘Art and Inequality in the Shadow of the Black Death’
• Finding the Plot: Visiting the Dorothy Dunnett Archive
• ‘The Light of the World’: An Appreciation of Nicola Griffith
• Priests and Prophets, part 1
• Picturing the Scene: Alchemy
• Corresponding with Dorothy Dunnett, part 6
• Loving Sybilla
• Love, Gloves, and Richard’s Trip to Perth
• Marko Marulić, part 2
• Talking Point
• That’s Relevant!
• A Close Read

Published September 2025