To be fair, it sounds as if I would not be getting the full Lymond Experience (tm) if I did NOT want to strangle him at least half the time.

The Lymond Chronicles have been on my lengthy mental TBR for some time and will probably remain there for a while... but they have moved slightly but perceptibly upward as a result of this discussion. I mean, if they're in Eugenides' DNA, worth giving a look...