A highly enjoyable series of books., 03 Sep 2002
The three interconnecting life stories span some seventy years from the early twentieth century; yet the book has considerable lightness of touch compared to most historical sagas. It is immensely rich in its characters and descriptions, which cover the First World War, life on the road with a travelling freakshow and a spell of Jungian analysis and a wealth of human experience from childhood to old age. Disappointingly, the narrative does tail off slightly in the latter chapters of the "World of Wonders", the third of the trilogy, namely because the characters involved seem like historical relics, making it frustratingly difficult to identify with their experiences, which is never the case during the first two books. The combination of history, mythology and differing viewpoints makes these books appealing on a variety of levels from rattling good read to thoroughly intellectually stimulating.

A big disappointment . . ., 09 Jan 2002
I tackled this book after a strong recommendation, but was deeply unimpressed: I got to around page 780 (out of 832) before finally losing patience. He goes on and on and ON at such length about things of pretty limited interest, the whole thing could have been said in a quarter of the length. He writes dialogue well, but I didn't think much of all the god/devil/evil stuff, and I finally freaked out when Magnus was drivelling on about that sad bunch of refugees from 19th century theatre... A sad disappointment after such strong recommendations from people whose views I normally respect.

Fun, memorable and thought-provoking, 05 Apr 2001
Robertson Davies draws me into a world of which I know precious little and treats me as though I understand it, and, surprisingly, I do. This is more thanks to his clear explanations than to any ability on my part. The characters are thoroughly believeable and down to earth yet each has another breakaway side that endears and makes them memorable. I can read these books time after time and still find new aspects to enjoy.

Mysterious yet down-to-earth, 01 Oct 2000
This trilogy is the perfect antidote to anyone who feels that the 20th (never mind the 21st) century lost its sense of the spiritual and of enduring values. Beautifully-written, the books chart the interweaving lives of a group of people who start out in a small Canadian town, and those with whom their lives become entangled. We meet a good man who is genuinely appealing and attractive - an almost impossible achievement in a world where the devil usually has the best tunes. And we can relish the slow workings-out of destiny as the ramifications of deeds spread out over the years and the continents. It is surely no accident that is a Jungian analyst with a sensitivity to the mystery of life (and not a reductionist Freudian, Adlerian or the like) who works with the protagonist in the second of these three deeply rewarding works. These books are rich and warm, combining an earthy realism with a profound sense of the spiritual.

Literary gem, 07 Jun 1999
I first read the three books that make up the 'Deptford Trilogy' nearly twenty years ago. Re-reading them recently, I was staggered by how much had stuck in my mind. Not just stuck, but had been working away in the intervening two decades subtly shaping my thoughts. Robertson Davies' characters are beguiling creations - on the one hand they seem strangely familiar, on the other they are larger-than-life archetypes. And that latter point is perhaps no accident: Davies was one of few authors who really understood what Jung was talking about (the middle book of this trilogy sets out a model Jungian analysis that must be the envy of many a therapist). The 'Deptford Trilogy' is exquisitely crafted - intricately plotted, beautifully written. It is a gem of contemporary literature, and a great pleasure to read.

A highly enjoyable series of books., 03 Sep 2002
The three interconnecting life stories span some seventy years from the early twentieth century; yet the book has considerable lightness of touch compared to most historical sagas. It is immensely rich in its characters and descriptions, which cover the First World War, life on the road with a travelling freakshow and a spell of Jungian analysis and a wealth of human experience from childhood to old age. Disappointingly, the narrative does tail off slightly in the latter chapters of the "World of Wonders", the third of the trilogy, namely because the characters involved seem like historical relics, making it frustratingly difficult to identify with their experiences, which is never the case during the first two books. The combination of history, mythology and differing viewpoints makes these books appealing on a variety of levels from rattling good read to thoroughly intellectually stimulating.

A big disappointment . . ., 09 Jan 2002
I tackled this book after a strong recommendation, but was deeply unimpressed: I got to around page 780 (out of 832) before finally losing patience. He goes on and on and ON at such length about things of pretty limited interest, the whole thing could have been said in a quarter of the length. He writes dialogue well, but I didn't think much of all the god/devil/evil stuff, and I finally freaked out when Magnus was drivelling on about that sad bunch of refugees from 19th century theatre... A sad disappointment after such strong recommendations from people whose views I normally respect.

Fun, memorable and thought-provoking, 05 Apr 2001
Robertson Davies draws me into a world of which I know precious little and treats me as though I understand it, and, surprisingly, I do. This is more thanks to his clear explanations than to any ability on my part. The characters are thoroughly believeable and down to earth yet each has another breakaway side that endears and makes them memorable. I can read these books time after time and still find new aspects to enjoy.

Mysterious yet down-to-earth, 01 Oct 2000
This trilogy is the perfect antidote to anyone who feels that the 20th (never mind the 21st) century lost its sense of the spiritual and of enduring values. Beautifully-written, the books chart the interweaving lives of a group of people who start out in a small Canadian town, and those with whom their lives become entangled. We meet a good man who is genuinely appealing and attractive - an almost impossible achievement in a world where the devil usually has the best tunes. And we can relish the slow workings-out of destiny as the ramifications of deeds spread out over the years and the continents. It is surely no accident that is a Jungian analyst with a sensitivity to the mystery of life (and not a reductionist Freudian, Adlerian or the like) who works with the protagonist in the second of these three deeply rewarding works. These books are rich and warm, combining an earthy realism with a profound sense of the spiritual.

Literary gem, 07 Jun 1999
I first read the three books that make up the 'Deptford Trilogy' nearly twenty years ago. Re-reading them recently, I was staggered by how much had stuck in my mind. Not just stuck, but had been working away in the intervening two decades subtly shaping my thoughts. Robertson Davies' characters are beguiling creations - on the one hand they seem strangely familiar, on the other they are larger-than-life archetypes. And that latter point is perhaps no accident: Davies was one of few authors who really understood what Jung was talking about (the middle book of this trilogy sets out a model Jungian analysis that must be the envy of many a therapist). The 'Deptford Trilogy' is exquisitely crafted - intricately plotted, beautifully written. It is a gem of contemporary literature, and a great pleasure to read.

Rare gem, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book by mistake, and what a stroke of luck that was. Davies is a magnificent writer: erudite, funny, interesting, great storyteller, and a master of beautiful prose.
The first two books of the trilogy, for me, were some of the best books I ever read - a full 5 stars, cum laude.
I downgrade the whole rating to 4 stars because the last book of the trilogy is, while still a decent book, vastly inferior to the other two ones. So do yourself a favour, read Rebel Angels an What's Bred in the Bone, and forget about the Lyre of Orpheus.

But is it art?, 26 Mar 2004
Davies's Cornish trilogy should be read by anyone with an interest in the philosophy of art -- questions of attribution, forgery and fakery, and authenticity pervade all three novels, which deal with literature, painting and music respectively. Art in general, and art objects in particular, take on a shadowy, slippery aspect in spite of the very palpable (and almost erotically desirable) qualities they have for Davies's characters. Aesthetic and spiritual experience are intertwined. But the style, while elevated, is never dry or preachy -- the characters are rounded and often delightfully vulgar and even the most intellectual threads of the story are brimming with life and humour.

Save the best till last, 29 Jun 2002
I discovered Rebel Angels;first part of the trilogy by chance. What an amazing piece of fate. It was truly marvellous. What's bred in the bone was nominated for the Booker and just got better. By the Lyre of Orpheus I was transfixed. The mixture of fact, myth & legend is unique.

These books are each terrific good reads. They made me change the way I looked on life in a genuine and deep way. They are erudite and complex with feelings that far transend the populist "feel good trashy", "Alchemist" type novels. I even quoted one at a family funeral.

Truly RB was a great writer but having read all his books for me the Cornish trilogy is his most poignant and touching. Yes, he did save the best till last.

Undoubtably my favorite book, 20 Dec 2000
I read many books on an immensely diverse range of subjects, and up to a dozen books concurrently but the cornish trilogy travels by my side almost always and has been read and reread since I was lucky enough to be given a copy in 1996. A thoroughly engrossing work of litery excellence, an absolute must for anyone with an avid interest in reading.

Definitely in my Top 2 books ever, 29 Feb 2000
Francis Cornish is a mysterious millionaire spy, art-collector, forger and academic around whose life this trilogy is woven. Although the context of the novels is academic, it's a very funny, intrigue-filled and fascinating book. After putting down this trilogy (which was difficult, in spite of its bulk)I felt more informed and entertained than I would have thought possible. The characters are all beautifully drawn, almost Dickensian in their richness. I love it. Who's got my copy?

A highly enjoyable series of books., 03 Sep 2002
The three interconnecting life stories span some seventy years from the early twentieth century; yet the book has considerable lightness of touch compared to most historical sagas. It is immensely rich in its characters and descriptions, which cover the First World War, life on the road with a travelling freakshow and a spell of Jungian analysis and a wealth of human experience from childhood to old age. Disappointingly, the narrative does tail off slightly in the latter chapters of the "World of Wonders", the third of the trilogy, namely because the characters involved seem like historical relics, making it frustratingly difficult to identify with their experiences, which is never the case during the first two books. The combination of history, mythology and differing viewpoints makes these books appealing on a variety of levels from rattling good read to thoroughly intellectually stimulating.

A big disappointment . . ., 09 Jan 2002
I tackled this book after a strong recommendation, but was deeply unimpressed: I got to around page 780 (out of 832) before finally losing patience. He goes on and on and ON at such length about things of pretty limited interest, the whole thing could have been said in a quarter of the length. He writes dialogue well, but I didn't think much of all the god/devil/evil stuff, and I finally freaked out when Magnus was drivelling on about that sad bunch of refugees from 19th century theatre... A sad disappointment after such strong recommendations from people whose views I normally respect.

Fun, memorable and thought-provoking, 05 Apr 2001
Robertson Davies draws me into a world of which I know precious little and treats me as though I understand it, and, surprisingly, I do. This is more thanks to his clear explanations than to any ability on my part. The characters are thoroughly believeable and down to earth yet each has another breakaway side that endears and makes them memorable. I can read these books time after time and still find new aspects to enjoy.

Mysterious yet down-to-earth, 01 Oct 2000
This trilogy is the perfect antidote to anyone who feels that the 20th (never mind the 21st) century lost its sense of the spiritual and of enduring values. Beautifully-written, the books chart the interweaving lives of a group of people who start out in a small Canadian town, and those with whom their lives become entangled. We meet a good man who is genuinely appealing and attractive - an almost impossible achievement in a world where the devil usually has the best tunes. And we can relish the slow workings-out of destiny as the ramifications of deeds spread out over the years and the continents. It is surely no accident that is a Jungian analyst with a sensitivity to the mystery of life (and not a reductionist Freudian, Adlerian or the like) who works with the protagonist in the second of these three deeply rewarding works. These books are rich and warm, combining an earthy realism with a profound sense of the spiritual.

Literary gem, 07 Jun 1999
I first read the three books that make up the 'Deptford Trilogy' nearly twenty years ago. Re-reading them recently, I was staggered by how much had stuck in my mind. Not just stuck, but had been working away in the intervening two decades subtly shaping my thoughts. Robertson Davies' characters are beguiling creations - on the one hand they seem strangely familiar, on the other they are larger-than-life archetypes. And that latter point is perhaps no accident: Davies was one of few authors who really understood what Jung was talking about (the middle book of this trilogy sets out a model Jungian analysis that must be the envy of many a therapist). The 'Deptford Trilogy' is exquisitely crafted - intricately plotted, beautifully written. It is a gem of contemporary literature, and a great pleasure to read.

Rare gem, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book by mistake, and what a stroke of luck that was. Davies is a magnificent writer: erudite, funny, interesting, great storyteller, and a master of beautiful prose.
The first two books of the trilogy, for me, were some of the best books I ever read - a full 5 stars, cum laude.
I downgrade the whole rating to 4 stars because the last book of the trilogy is, while still a decent book, vastly inferior to the other two ones. So do yourself a favour, read Rebel Angels an What's Bred in the Bone, and forget about the Lyre of Orpheus.

But is it art?, 26 Mar 2004
Davies's Cornish trilogy should be read by anyone with an interest in the philosophy of art -- questions of attribution, forgery and fakery, and authenticity pervade all three novels, which deal with literature, painting and music respectively. Art in general, and art objects in particular, take on a shadowy, slippery aspect in spite of the very palpable (and almost erotically desirable) qualities they have for Davies's characters. Aesthetic and spiritual experience are intertwined. But the style, while elevated, is never dry or preachy -- the characters are rounded and often delightfully vulgar and even the most intellectual threads of the story are brimming with life and humour.

Save the best till last, 29 Jun 2002
I discovered Rebel Angels;first part of the trilogy by chance. What an amazing piece of fate. It was truly marvellous. What's bred in the bone was nominated for the Booker and just got better. By the Lyre of Orpheus I was transfixed. The mixture of fact, myth & legend is unique.

These books are each terrific good reads. They made me change the way I looked on life in a genuine and deep way. They are erudite and complex with feelings that far transend the populist "feel good trashy", "Alchemist" type novels. I even quoted one at a family funeral.

Truly RB was a great writer but having read all his books for me the Cornish trilogy is his most poignant and touching. Yes, he did save the best till last.

Undoubtably my favorite book, 20 Dec 2000
I read many books on an immensely diverse range of subjects, and up to a dozen books concurrently but the cornish trilogy travels by my side almost always and has been read and reread since I was lucky enough to be given a copy in 1996. A thoroughly engrossing work of litery excellence, an absolute must for anyone with an avid interest in reading.

Definitely in my Top 2 books ever, 29 Feb 2000
Francis Cornish is a mysterious millionaire spy, art-collector, forger and academic around whose life this trilogy is woven. Although the context of the novels is academic, it's a very funny, intrigue-filled and fascinating book. After putting down this trilogy (which was difficult, in spite of its bulk)I felt more informed and entertained than I would have thought possible. The characters are all beautifully drawn, almost Dickensian in their richness. I love it. Who's got my copy?

Tempest tost, 29 Sep 2005
Robertson Davies is known for his deep, detailed look at communities and strange happenings. "The Salterton Trilogy" is no exception: a well-written, often funny and sometimes poignant look at the odd occupants of Salterton, the deceptively quaint Canadian city with two cathedrals and one university.

"Tempest-Tost" opens with the organization of an amateur production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." A motley crew of actors join it, including an exuberent professor, his quiet daughter, a quiet mama's boy, a beautiful rich girl, a womanizing soldier, and an infatuated schoolteacher. Love, ambition, jealousy and infatuation rapidly tangle together, climaxing in an unusually dramatic opening night.

In contrast, "Leaven of Malice" is half satire and half mystery. The Salterton Bellman announces that Solly Bridgetower and Pearl Vambrace are engaged -- the only problem is that it isn't true. Professor Vambrace sees it as a personal affront, and sues the paper. Pearl and Solly are haunted by false rumors, reports, and claims about who faked the announcement. All they can do is try to find out themselves.

"Mixture of Frailties" opens with the death of Solly's domineering mother. Her will leaves money to Solly's family only if he produces a male heir with his wife Veronica (previously known as Pearl); until then, her money is to be used in a trust for a young female artistic hopeful, who will go to Europe for a few years to study whatever she is good at. And finding the right girl is only the start of Solly's problems.

The tone of the Salterton Trilogy is lighter and less introspective than Davies' other books. Sometimes it's outright hilarious (there's a girl called The Torso, for crying out loud!). The first book is perhaps the funniest and most real-seeming, but it's also rather unfocused because there is no real plot. The second and third books are tighter, but a little more rarified in humor and a little more surreal in tone.

Solly Bridgetower is the unacknowledged center of the trilogy. He barely registers in "Tempest-Tost," but becomes the central figure of the second and third books. He's not a strong person, but he is a likable one. Pearl is only a little more prominent at first, but it's great to see her break out of her shell and become her own person. And without a doubt, Humphrey Cobbler is Davies' best character -- a vivid, devil-may-care artistic genius who winks and nudges in every book.

The Salterton Trilogy is often eclipsed by Davies' better-known Deptford Trilogy, but that doesn't mean it's bad. By no means. It's a pleasant and warmly amusing trio of interconnected stories, and ones you won't forget in a hurry. Highly recommended.

Briliant characterisation, 08 Nov 2001
Woven together by a common location and some of the main characters, this is a saga of the highs and lows of the human condition, which will demand your attention even when you manage to put it down to go and do something less interesting. The characters are alive, Davies' descriptive powers make them dance in front of your eyes, especially Humphrey Cobbler, and the awesome grotesque burden that is Louisa Hansen Bridgetower, (I always imagined her as a Jabba the Hutt type figure when I was reading this!) who is the source of so much misery to her descendants but also the source of great enlightenment to her benefactor. Stunning!

Read this book!, 11 Jan 2001
Great characters (Professer Vambrace, Humphrey Cobbler etc), and believable storylines. I've read this twice now, and it was even better second time around.

A highly enjoyable series of books., 03 Sep 2002
The three interconnecting life stories span some seventy years from the early twentieth century; yet the book has considerable lightness of touch compared to most historical sagas. It is immensely rich in its characters and descriptions, which cover the First World War, life on the road with a travelling freakshow and a spell of Jungian analysis and a wealth of human experience from childhood to old age. Disappointingly, the narrative does tail off slightly in the latter chapters of the "World of Wonders", the third of the trilogy, namely because the characters involved seem like historical relics, making it frustratingly difficult to identify with their experiences, which is never the case during the first two books. The combination of history, mythology and differing viewpoints makes these books appealing on a variety of levels from rattling good read to thoroughly intellectually stimulating.

A big disappointment . . ., 09 Jan 2002
I tackled this book after a strong recommendation, but was deeply unimpressed: I got to around page 780 (out of 832) before finally losing patience. He goes on and on and ON at such length about things of pretty limited interest, the whole thing could have been said in a quarter of the length. He writes dialogue well, but I didn't think much of all the god/devil/evil stuff, and I finally freaked out when Magnus was drivelling on about that sad bunch of refugees from 19th century theatre... A sad disappointment after such strong recommendations from people whose views I normally respect.

Fun, memorable and thought-provoking, 05 Apr 2001
Robertson Davies draws me into a world of which I know precious little and treats me as though I understand it, and, surprisingly, I do. This is more thanks to his clear explanations than to any ability on my part. The characters are thoroughly believeable and down to earth yet each has another breakaway side that endears and makes them memorable. I can read these books time after time and still find new aspects to enjoy.

Mysterious yet down-to-earth, 01 Oct 2000
This trilogy is the perfect antidote to anyone who feels that the 20th (never mind the 21st) century lost its sense of the spiritual and of enduring values. Beautifully-written, the books chart the interweaving lives of a group of people who start out in a small Canadian town, and those with whom their lives become entangled. We meet a good man who is genuinely appealing and attractive - an almost impossible achievement in a world where the devil usually has the best tunes. And we can relish the slow workings-out of destiny as the ramifications of deeds spread out over the years and the continents. It is surely no accident that is a Jungian analyst with a sensitivity to the mystery of life (and not a reductionist Freudian, Adlerian or the like) who works with the protagonist in the second of these three deeply rewarding works. These books are rich and warm, combining an earthy realism with a profound sense of the spiritual.

Literary gem, 07 Jun 1999
I first read the three books that make up the 'Deptford Trilogy' nearly twenty years ago. Re-reading them recently, I was staggered by how much had stuck in my mind. Not just stuck, but had been working away in the intervening two decades subtly shaping my thoughts. Robertson Davies' characters are beguiling creations - on the one hand they seem strangely familiar, on the other they are larger-than-life archetypes. And that latter point is perhaps no accident: Davies was one of few authors who really understood what Jung was talking about (the middle book of this trilogy sets out a model Jungian analysis that must be the envy of many a therapist). The 'Deptford Trilogy' is exquisitely crafted - intricately plotted, beautifully written. It is a gem of contemporary literature, and a great pleasure to read.

Rare gem, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book by mistake, and what a stroke of luck that was. Davies is a magnificent writer: erudite, funny, interesting, great storyteller, and a master of beautiful prose.
The first two books of the trilogy, for me, were some of the best books I ever read - a full 5 stars, cum laude.
I downgrade the whole rating to 4 stars because the last book of the trilogy is, while still a decent book, vastly inferior to the other two ones. So do yourself a favour, read Rebel Angels an What's Bred in the Bone, and forget about the Lyre of Orpheus.

But is it art?, 26 Mar 2004
Davies's Cornish trilogy should be read by anyone with an interest in the philosophy of art -- questions of attribution, forgery and fakery, and authenticity pervade all three novels, which deal with literature, painting and music respectively. Art in general, and art objects in particular, take on a shadowy, slippery aspect in spite of the very palpable (and almost erotically desirable) qualities they have for Davies's characters. Aesthetic and spiritual experience are intertwined. But the style, while elevated, is never dry or preachy -- the characters are rounded and often delightfully vulgar and even the most intellectual threads of the story are brimming with life and humour.

Save the best till last, 29 Jun 2002
I discovered Rebel Angels;first part of the trilogy by chance. What an amazing piece of fate. It was truly marvellous. What's bred in the bone was nominated for the Booker and just got better. By the Lyre of Orpheus I was transfixed. The mixture of fact, myth & legend is unique.

These books are each terrific good reads. They made me change the way I looked on life in a genuine and deep way. They are erudite and complex with feelings that far transend the populist "feel good trashy", "Alchemist" type novels. I even quoted one at a family funeral.

Truly RB was a great writer but having read all his books for me the Cornish trilogy is his most poignant and touching. Yes, he did save the best till last.

Undoubtably my favorite book, 20 Dec 2000
I read many books on an immensely diverse range of subjects, and up to a dozen books concurrently but the cornish trilogy travels by my side almost always and has been read and reread since I was lucky enough to be given a copy in 1996. A thoroughly engrossing work of litery excellence, an absolute must for anyone with an avid interest in reading.

Definitely in my Top 2 books ever, 29 Feb 2000
Francis Cornish is a mysterious millionaire spy, art-collector, forger and academic around whose life this trilogy is woven. Although the context of the novels is academic, it's a very funny, intrigue-filled and fascinating book. After putting down this trilogy (which was difficult, in spite of its bulk)I felt more informed and entertained than I would have thought possible. The characters are all beautifully drawn, almost Dickensian in their richness. I love it. Who's got my copy?

Tempest tost, 29 Sep 2005
Robertson Davies is known for his deep, detailed look at communities and strange happenings. "The Salterton Trilogy" is no exception: a well-written, often funny and sometimes poignant look at the odd occupants of Salterton, the deceptively quaint Canadian city with two cathedrals and one university.

"Tempest-Tost" opens with the organization of an amateur production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." A motley crew of actors join it, including an exuberent professor, his quiet daughter, a quiet mama's boy, a beautiful rich girl, a womanizing soldier, and an infatuated schoolteacher. Love, ambition, jealousy and infatuation rapidly tangle together, climaxing in an unusually dramatic opening night.

In contrast, "Leaven of Malice" is half satire and half mystery. The Salterton Bellman announces that Solly Bridgetower and Pearl Vambrace are engaged -- the only problem is that it isn't true. Professor Vambrace sees it as a personal affront, and sues the paper. Pearl and Solly are haunted by false rumors, reports, and claims about who faked the announcement. All they can do is try to find out themselves.

"Mixture of Frailties" opens with the death of Solly's domineering mother. Her will leaves money to Solly's family only if he produces a male heir with his wife Veronica (previously known as Pearl); until then, her money is to be used in a trust for a young female artistic hopeful, who will go to Europe for a few years to study whatever she is good at. And finding the right girl is only the start of Solly's problems.

The tone of the Salterton Trilogy is lighter and less introspective than Davies' other books. Sometimes it's outright hilarious (there's a girl called The Torso, for crying out loud!). The first book is perhaps the funniest and most real-seeming, but it's also rather unfocused because there is no real plot. The second and third books are tighter, but a little more rarified in humor and a little more surreal in tone.

Solly Bridgetower is the unacknowledged center of the trilogy. He barely registers in "Tempest-Tost," but becomes the central figure of the second and third books. He's not a strong person, but he is a likable one. Pearl is only a little more prominent at first, but it's great to see her break out of her shell and become her own person. And without a doubt, Humphrey Cobbler is Davies' best character -- a vivid, devil-may-care artistic genius who winks and nudges in every book.

The Salterton Trilogy is often eclipsed by Davies' better-known Deptford Trilogy, but that doesn't mean it's bad. By no means. It's a pleasant and warmly amusing trio of interconnected stories, and ones you won't forget in a hurry. Highly recommended.

Briliant characterisation, 08 Nov 2001
Woven together by a common location and some of the main characters, this is a saga of the highs and lows of the human condition, which will demand your attention even when you manage to put it down to go and do something less interesting. The characters are alive, Davies' descriptive powers make them dance in front of your eyes, especially Humphrey Cobbler, and the awesome grotesque burden that is Louisa Hansen Bridgetower, (I always imagined her as a Jabba the Hutt type figure when I was reading this!) who is the source of so much misery to her descendants but also the source of great enlightenment to her benefactor. Stunning!

Read this book!, 11 Jan 2001
Great characters (Professer Vambrace, Humphrey Cobbler etc), and believable storylines. I've read this twice now, and it was even better second time around.

One of the first English-class books that I enjoyed., 22 Jul 1999
...all right, it may have something to do with my fabulous teacher Ms. Biggs, but whatever. A fantastic example of literary theory, in the interweaving of themes and the complex but clear symbolism. ("He was killed by the usual cabal...") I was quite disappointed by the other two books in this trilogy, but I greatly enjoyed this one. Thank you, Ms. Biggs; thank you, Mr. Davies.

An inward-leading story appreciated only at the end., 21 Jul 1999
It is at this point in time that I wish to revoke my former statement about this novel by Robertson Davies. Although at the time unfinished and unliked, this work was something wholly amazing once read. The story twists back through itself and allows for sequels to either be read in sequence or on their own as separate entities. I reccomend reading the second in the series: "The Manticore". -Enjoy

Davies' Deptford Trilogy - A MUST-read, 14 Jul 1999
The only bad thing about Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy (FIFTH BUSINESS, THE MANTICORE, WORLD OF WONDERS) is that it had to end! Sparklingly clever, bawdy, poignant, erudite, and laugh-out-loud funny, Davies entertains in a wonderfully rich, old-world style.

A friend of mine (who recommended the books, and to whom I will be forever grateful) put it this way: "Reading Robertson Davies is like sitting in a plush, wood-paneled library--in a large leather chair with a glass of excellent brandy and a crackling fire--and being captivated with a fabulous tale spun by a wonderful raconteur."

WOW!!, 25 Jun 1999
This book is definitely one of the best I've ever read. The plot is stunning, mature, unique, and sophisticated. I couldn't put the book down!! The characters were wonderfully contrived, and the way Davies wove them into one plot was beautifully done. It was amusing at times too, and interesting to see how Dunstan Ramsay and his friends matured.

Thank saints there are 2 more in the series, 23 Jun 1999
In this mature and subtle book, Davies sets out to expore the crisis that takes grip when one must justify a life lived. But like the plot itself, the reader is left with perhaps more questions than anwers. Why do we value acheivement more than deapth of spirit? Is the life of one dragged by events any less valuable that that of the successful showman, businessman or politician? Isn't success just an illusion that covers the emptiness of spirit that is its inevitable companion?

Along the way, the reader meets colorful characters - priests and sinners - the enliven the story.

A book that is therapy bound by leather.

A highly enjoyable series of books., 03 Sep 2002
The three interconnecting life stories span some seventy years from the early twentieth century; yet the book has considerable lightness of touch compared to most historical sagas. It is immensely rich in its characters and descriptions, which cover the First World War, life on the road with a travelling freakshow and a spell of Jungian analysis and a wealth of human experience from childhood to old age. Disappointingly, the narrative does tail off slightly in the latter chapters of the "World of Wonders", the third of the trilogy, namely because the characters involved seem like historical relics, making it frustratingly difficult to identify with their experiences, which is never the case during the first two books. The combination of history, mythology and differing viewpoints makes these books appealing on a variety of levels from rattling good read to thoroughly intellectually stimulating.

A big disappointment . . ., 09 Jan 2002
I tackled this book after a strong recommendation, but was deeply unimpressed: I got to around page 780 (out of 832) before finally losing patience. He goes on and on and ON at such length about things of pretty limited interest, the whole thing could have been said in a quarter of the length. He writes dialogue well, but I didn't think much of all the god/devil/evil stuff, and I finally freaked out when Magnus was drivelling on about that sad bunch of refugees from 19th century theatre... A sad disappointment after such strong recommendations from people whose views I normally respect.

Fun, memorable and thought-provoking, 05 Apr 2001
Robertson Davies draws me into a world of which I know precious little and treats me as though I understand it, and, surprisingly, I do. This is more thanks to his clear explanations than to any ability on my part. The characters are thoroughly believeable and down to earth yet each has another breakaway side that endears and makes them memorable. I can read these books time after time and still find new aspects to enjoy.

Mysterious yet down-to-earth, 01 Oct 2000
This trilogy is the perfect antidote to anyone who feels that the 20th (never mind the 21st) century lost its sense of the spiritual and of enduring values. Beautifully-written, the books chart the interweaving lives of a group of people who start out in a small Canadian town, and those with whom their lives become entangled. We meet a good man who is genuinely appealing and attractive - an almost impossible achievement in a world where the devil usually has the best tunes. And we can relish the slow workings-out of destiny as the ramifications of deeds spread out over the years and the continents. It is surely no accident that is a Jungian analyst with a sensitivity to the mystery of life (and not a reductionist Freudian, Adlerian or the like) who works with the protagonist in the second of these three deeply rewarding works. These books are rich and warm, combining an earthy realism with a profound sense of the spiritual.

Literary gem, 07 Jun 1999
I first read the three books that make up the 'Deptford Trilogy' nearly twenty years ago. Re-reading them recently, I was staggered by how much had stuck in my mind. Not just stuck, but had been working away in the intervening two decades subtly shaping my thoughts. Robertson Davies' characters are beguiling creations - on the one hand they seem strangely familiar, on the other they are larger-than-life archetypes. And that latter point is perhaps no accident: Davies was one of few authors who really understood what Jung was talking about (the middle book of this trilogy sets out a model Jungian analysis that must be the envy of many a therapist). The 'Deptford Trilogy' is exquisitely crafted - intricately plotted, beautifully written. It is a gem of contemporary literature, and a great pleasure to read.

Rare gem, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book by mistake, and what a stroke of luck that was. Davies is a magnificent writer: erudite, funny, interesting, great storyteller, and a master of beautiful prose.
The first two books of the trilogy, for me, were some of the best books I ever read - a full 5 stars, cum laude.
I downgrade the whole rating to 4 stars because the last book of the trilogy is, while still a decent book, vastly inferior to the other two ones. So do yourself a favour, read Rebel Angels an What's Bred in the Bone, and forget about the Lyre of Orpheus.

But is it art?, 26 Mar 2004
Davies's Cornish trilogy should be read by anyone with an interest in the philosophy of art -- questions of attribution, forgery and fakery, and authenticity pervade all three novels, which deal with literature, painting and music respectively. Art in general, and art objects in particular, take on a shadowy, slippery aspect in spite of the very palpable (and almost erotically desirable) qualities they have for Davies's characters. Aesthetic and spiritual experience are intertwined. But the style, while elevated, is never dry or preachy -- the characters are rounded and often delightfully vulgar and even the most intellectual threads of the story are brimming with life and humour.

Save the best till last, 29 Jun 2002
I discovered Rebel Angels;first part of the trilogy by chance. What an amazing piece of fate. It was truly marvellous. What's bred in the bone was nominated for the Booker and just got better. By the Lyre of Orpheus I was transfixed. The mixture of fact, myth & legend is unique.

These books are each terrific good reads. They made me change the way I looked on life in a genuine and deep way. They are erudite and complex with feelings that far transend the populist "feel good trashy", "Alchemist" type novels. I even quoted one at a family funeral.

Truly RB was a great writer but having read all his books for me the Cornish trilogy is his most poignant and touching. Yes, he did save the best till last.

Undoubtably my favorite book, 20 Dec 2000
I read many books on an immensely diverse range of subjects, and up to a dozen books concurrently but the cornish trilogy travels by my side almost always and has been read and reread since I was lucky enough to be given a copy in 1996. A thoroughly engrossing work of litery excellence, an absolute must for anyone with an avid interest in reading.

Definitely in my Top 2 books ever, 29 Feb 2000
Francis Cornish is a mysterious millionaire spy, art-collector, forger and academic around whose life this trilogy is woven. Although the context of the novels is academic, it's a very funny, intrigue-filled and fascinating book. After putting down this trilogy (which was difficult, in spite of its bulk)I felt more informed and entertained than I would have thought possible. The characters are all beautifully drawn, almost Dickensian in their richness. I love it. Who's got my copy?

Tempest tost, 29 Sep 2005
Robertson Davies is known for his deep, detailed look at communities and strange happenings. "The Salterton Trilogy" is no exception: a well-written, often funny and sometimes poignant look at the odd occupants of Salterton, the deceptively quaint Canadian city with two cathedrals and one university.

"Tempest-Tost" opens with the organization of an amateur production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." A motley crew of actors join it, including an exuberent professor, his quiet daughter, a quiet mama's boy, a beautiful rich girl, a womanizing soldier, and an infatuated schoolteacher. Love, ambition, jealousy and infatuation rapidly tangle together, climaxing in an unusually dramatic opening night.

In contrast, "Leaven of Malice" is half satire and half mystery. The Salterton Bellman announces that Solly Bridgetower and Pearl Vambrace are engaged -- the only problem is that it isn't true. Professor Vambrace sees it as a personal affront, and sues the paper. Pearl and Solly are haunted by false rumors, reports, and claims about who faked the announcement. All they can do is try to find out themselves.

"Mixture of Frailties" opens with the death of Solly's domineering mother. Her will leaves money to Solly's family only if he produces a male heir with his wife Veronica (previously known as Pearl); until then, her money is to be used in a trust for a young female artistic hopeful, who will go to Europe for a few years to study whatever she is good at. And finding the right girl is only the start of Solly's problems.

The tone of the Salterton Trilogy is lighter and less introspective than Davies' other books. Sometimes it's outright hilarious (there's a girl called The Torso, for crying out loud!). The first book is perhaps the funniest and most real-seeming, but it's also rather unfocused because there is no real plot. The second and third books are tighter, but a little more rarified in humor and a little more surreal in tone.

Solly Bridgetower is the unacknowledged center of the trilogy. He barely registers in "Tempest-Tost," but becomes the central figure of the second and third books. He's not a strong person, but he is a likable one. Pearl is only a little more prominent at first, but it's great to see her break out of her shell and become her own person. And without a doubt, Humphrey Cobbler is Davies' best character -- a vivid, devil-may-care artistic genius who winks and nudges in every book.

The Salterton Trilogy is often eclipsed by Davies' better-known Deptford Trilogy, but that doesn't mean it's bad. By no means. It's a pleasant and warmly amusing trio of interconnected stories, and ones you won't forget in a hurry. Highly recommended.

Briliant characterisation, 08 Nov 2001
Woven together by a common location and some of the main characters, this is a saga of the highs and lows of the human condition, which will demand your attention even when you manage to put it down to go and do something less interesting. The characters are alive, Davies' descriptive powers make them dance in front of your eyes, especially Humphrey Cobbler, and the awesome grotesque burden that is Louisa Hansen Bridgetower, (I always imagined her as a Jabba the Hutt type figure when I was reading this!) who is the source of so much misery to her descendants but also the source of great enlightenment to her benefactor. Stunning!

Read this book!, 11 Jan 2001
Great characters (Professer Vambrace, Humphrey Cobbler etc), and believable storylines. I've read this twice now, and it was even better second time around.

One of the first English-class books that I enjoyed., 22 Jul 1999
...all right, it may have something to do with my fabulous teacher Ms. Biggs, but whatever. A fantastic example of literary theory, in the interweaving of themes and the complex but clear symbolism. ("He was killed by the usual cabal...") I was quite disappointed by the other two books in this trilogy, but I greatly enjoyed this one. Thank you, Ms. Biggs; thank you, Mr. Davies.

An inward-leading story appreciated only at the end., 21 Jul 1999
It is at this point in time that I wish to revoke my former statement about this novel by Robertson Davies. Although at the time unfinished and unliked, this work was something wholly amazing once read. The story twists back through itself and allows for sequels to either be read in sequence or on their own as separate entities. I reccomend reading the second in the series: "The Manticore". -Enjoy

Davies' Deptford Trilogy - A MUST-read, 14 Jul 1999
The only bad thing about Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy (FIFTH BUSINESS, THE MANTICORE, WORLD OF WONDERS) is that it had to end! Sparklingly clever, bawdy, poignant, erudite, and laugh-out-loud funny, Davies entertains in a wonderfully rich, old-world style.

A friend of mine (who recommended the books, and to whom I will be forever grateful) put it this way: "Reading Robertson Davies is like sitting in a plush, wood-paneled library--in a large leather chair with a glass of excellent brandy and a crackling fire--and being captivated with a fabulous tale spun by a wonderful raconteur."

WOW!!, 25 Jun 1999
This book is definitely one of the best I've ever read. The plot is stunning, mature, unique, and sophisticated. I couldn't put the book down!! The characters were wonderfully contrived, and the way Davies wove them into one plot was beautifully done. It was amusing at times too, and interesting to see how Dunstan Ramsay and his friends matured.

Thank saints there are 2 more in the series, 23 Jun 1999
In this mature and subtle book, Davies sets out to expore the crisis that takes grip when one must justify a life lived. But like the plot itself, the reader is left with perhaps more questions than anwers. Why do we value acheivement more than deapth of spirit? Is the life of one dragged by events any less valuable that that of the successful showman, businessman or politician? Isn't success just an illusion that covers the emptiness of spirit that is its inevitable companion?

Along the way, the reader meets colorful characters - priests and sinners - the enliven the story.

A book that is therapy bound by leather.

Theft or postmodernism?, 05 Dec 2006
This is the only readable book by Great Canadian Writer Robertson Davies, possibly because the first (and best) section is lifted from Memoirs of a Sword Swallower (read it). A small boy is kidnapped by a travelling carnival in the American poverty and hick belt. He tells how far from glamorous this life is and shows us the grime beneath the sequins: the jolly Fat Lady is really sad and grey-haired; the snakes in the snake-charming act are constantly replaced as they die from too much man-handling. When the central character grows up, he joins a straight theatrical troupe and then becomes a career magician, but the book becomes infested with a lot of Jungian codswallop. If you like this, read the Memoirs of a Sword Swallower and J B Priestly's Lost Empires.

Davies' Deptford Trilogy - A must-read, 15 Jul 1999
The only bad thing about Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy (FIFTH BUSINESS, THE MANTICORE, WORLD OF WONDERS) is that it had to end! Sparklingly clever, bawdy, poignant, erudite, and laugh-out-loud funny, Davies entertains in a wonderfully rich, old-world style.

A friend of mine (who recommended the books, and to whom I will be forever grateful) put it this way: "Reading Robertson Davies is like sitting in a plush, wood-paneled library--in a large leather chair with a glass of excellent brandy and a crackling fire--and being captivated with a fabulous tale spun by a wonderful raconteur."

The greatest novel of the twentieth century, 27 Dec 1998
This is the best novel of the century's best English language novelist. The plot is sure-fire (kid runs away with the carnival), the characters memorable (sideshow freaks, revealed to be--human beings! theater people, great and small, revealed to be--human beings!), the sins enormous (pederasty, pride, perhaps even murder), the virtues marvelous (love, devotion to love). The theme of this book, as with the other books in the trilogy, is search for self--the main character of this book lives four different lives during his life. This book works on every level; it reads well as a story, gives you something to think about, and stands up to any number of readings you'd care to give it. (I've given it at least five.)

A Magician's Biography Unravels a Mystery, 03 Jun 1997
Davies uses the 'accidental' revelation of a great magician's life--by the magician himself--to complete the Deptford Trilogy and answer the mystery: "Who killed...?" Davies is at his storytelling best here, spinning out a strange, fascinating life story that begins when a young boy is captivated by a carnival magic show. By far the best book of the trilogy, this novel stands brilliantly on its own and is head and shoulders above the two recent novels that use almost the same plot: Mr. Vertigo, by Paul Auster, and Millroy the Magician, by Paul Theroux.

A highly enjoyable series of books., 03 Sep 2002
The three interconnecting life stories span some seventy years from the early twentieth century; yet the book has considerable lightness of touch compared to most historical sagas. It is immensely rich in its characters and descriptions, which cover the First World War, life on the road with a travelling freakshow and a spell of Jungian analysis and a wealth of human experience from childhood to old age. Disappointingly, the narrative does tail off slightly in the latter chapters of the "World of Wonders", the third of the trilogy, namely because the characters involved seem like historical relics, making it frustratingly difficult to identify with their experiences, which is never the case during the first two books. The combination of history, mythology and differing viewpoints makes these books appealing on a variety of levels from rattling good read to thoroughly intellectually stimulating.

A big disappointment . . ., 09 Jan 2002
I tackled this book after a strong recommendation, but was deeply unimpressed: I got to around page 780 (out of 832) before finally losing patience. He goes on and on and ON at such length about things of pretty limited interest, the whole thing could have been said in a quarter of the length. He writes dialogue well, but I didn't think much of all the god/devil/evil stuff, and I finally freaked out when Magnus was drivelling on about that sad bunch of refugees from 19th century theatre... A sad disappointment after such strong recommendations from people whose views I normally respect.

Fun, memorable and thought-provoking, 05 Apr 2001
Robertson Davies draws me into a world of which I know precious little and treats me as though I understand it, and, surprisingly, I do. This is more thanks to his clear explanations than to any ability on my part. The characters are thoroughly believeable and down to earth yet each has another breakaway side that endears and makes them memorable. I can read these books time after time and still find new aspects to enjoy.

Mysterious yet down-to-earth, 01 Oct 2000
This trilogy is the perfect antidote to anyone who feels that the 20th (never mind the 21st) century lost its sense of the spiritual and of enduring values. Beautifully-written, the books chart the interweaving lives of a group of people who start out in a small Canadian town, and those with whom their lives become entangled. We meet a good man who is genuinely appealing and attractive - an almost impossible achievement in a world where the devil usually has the best tunes. And we can relish the slow workings-out of destiny as the ramifications of deeds spread out over the years and the continents. It is surely no accident that is a Jungian analyst with a sensitivity to the mystery of life (and not a reductionist Freudian, Adlerian or the like) who works with the protagonist in the second of these three deeply rewarding works. These books are rich and warm, combining an earthy realism with a profound sense of the spiritual.

Literary gem, 07 Jun 1999
I first read the three books that make up the 'Deptford Trilogy' nearly twenty years ago. Re-reading them recently, I was staggered by how much had stuck in my mind. Not just stuck, but had been working away in the intervening two decades subtly shaping my thoughts. Robertson Davies' characters are beguiling creations - on the one hand they seem strangely familiar, on the other they are larger-than-life archetypes. And that latter point is perhaps no accident: Davies was one of few authors who really understood what Jung was talking about (the middle book of this trilogy sets out a model Jungian analysis that must be the envy of many a therapist). The 'Deptford Trilogy' is exquisitely crafted - intricately plotted, beautifully written. It is a gem of contemporary literature, and a great pleasure to read.

Rare gem, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book by mistake, and what a stroke of luck that was. Davies is a magnificent writer: erudite, funny, interesting, great storyteller, and a master of beautiful prose.
The first two books of the trilogy, for me, were some of the best books I ever read - a full 5 stars, cum laude.
I downgrade the whole rating to 4 stars because the last book of the trilogy is, while still a decent book, vastly inferior to the other two ones. So do yourself a favour, read Rebel Angels an What's Bred in the Bone, and forget about the Lyre of Orpheus.

But is it art?, 26 Mar 2004
Davies's Cornish trilogy should be read by anyone with an interest in the philosophy of art -- questions of attribution, forgery and fakery, and authenticity pervade all three novels, which deal with literature, painting and music respectively. Art in general, and art objects in particular, take on a shadowy, slippery aspect in spite of the very palpable (and almost erotically desirable) qualities they have for Davies's characters. Aesthetic and spiritual experience are intertwined. But the style, while elevated, is never dry or preachy -- the characters are rounded and often delightfully vulgar and even the most intellectual threads of the story are brimming with life and humour.

Save the best till last, 29 Jun 2002
I discovered Rebel Angels;first part of the trilogy by chance. What an amazing piece of fate. It was truly marvellous. What's bred in the bone was nominated for the Booker and just got better. By the Lyre of Orpheus I was transfixed. The mixture of fact, myth & legend is unique.

These books are each terrific good reads. They made me change the way I looked on life in a genuine and deep way. They are erudite and complex with feelings that far transend the populist "feel good trashy", "Alchemist" type novels. I even quoted one at a family funeral.

Truly RB was a great writer but having read all his books for me the Cornish trilogy is his most poignant and touching. Yes, he did save the best till last.

Undoubtably my favorite book, 20 Dec 2000
I read many books on an immensely diverse range of subjects, and up to a dozen books concurrently but the cornish trilogy travels by my side almost always and has been read and reread since I was lucky enough to be given a copy in 1996. A thoroughly engrossing work of litery excellence, an absolute must for anyone with an avid interest in reading.

Definitely in my Top 2 books ever, 29 Feb 2000
Francis Cornish is a mysterious millionaire spy, art-collector, forger and academic around whose life this trilogy is woven. Although the context of the novels is academic, it's a very funny, intrigue-filled and fascinating book. After putting down this trilogy (which was difficult, in spite of its bulk)I felt more informed and entertained than I would have thought possible. The characters are all beautifully drawn, almost Dickensian in their richness. I love it. Who's got my copy?

Tempest tost, 29 Sep 2005
Robertson Davies is known for his deep, detailed look at communities and strange happenings. "The Salterton Trilogy" is no exception: a well-written, often funny and sometimes poignant look at the odd occupants of Salterton, the deceptively quaint Canadian city with two cathedrals and one university.

"Tempest-Tost" opens with the organization of an amateur production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." A motley crew of actors join it, including an exuberent professor, his quiet daughter, a quiet mama's boy, a beautiful rich girl, a womanizing soldier, and an infatuated schoolteacher. Love, ambition, jealousy and infatuation rapidly tangle together, climaxing in an unusually dramatic opening night.

In contrast, "Leaven of Malice" is half satire and half mystery. The Salterton Bellman announces that Solly Bridgetower and Pearl Vambrace are engaged -- the only problem is that it isn't true. Professor Vambrace sees it as a personal affront, and sues the paper. Pearl and Solly are haunted by false rumors, reports, and claims about who faked the announcement. All they can do is try to find out themselves.

"Mixture of Frailties" opens with the death of Solly's domineering mother. Her will leaves money to Solly's family only if he produces a male heir with his wife Veronica (previously known as Pearl); until then, her money is to be used in a trust for a young female artistic hopeful, who will go to Europe for a few years to study whatever she is good at. And finding the right girl is only the start of Solly's problems.

The tone of the Salterton Trilogy is lighter and less introspective than Davies' other books. Sometimes it's outright hilarious (there's a girl called The Torso, for crying out loud!). The first book is perhaps the funniest and most real-seeming, but it's also rather unfocused because there is no real plot. The second and third books are tighter, but a little more rarified in humor and a little more surreal in tone.

Solly Bridgetower is the unacknowledged center of the trilogy. He barely registers in "Tempest-Tost," but becomes the central figure of the second and third books. He's not a strong person, but he is a likable one. Pearl is only a little more prominent at first, but it's great to see her break out of her shell and become her own person. And without a doubt, Humphrey Cobbler is Davies' best character -- a vivid, devil-may-care artistic genius who winks and nudges in every book.

The Salterton Trilogy is often eclipsed by Davies' better-known Deptford Trilogy, but that doesn't mean it's bad. By no means. It's a pleasant and warmly amusing trio of interconnected stories, and ones you won't forget in a hurry. Highly recommended.

Briliant characterisation, 08 Nov 2001
Woven together by a common location and some of the main characters, this is a saga of the highs and lows of the human condition, which will demand your attention even when you manage to put it down to go and do something less interesting. The characters are alive, Davies' descriptive powers make them dance in front of your eyes, especially Humphrey Cobbler, and the awesome grotesque burden that is Louisa Hansen Bridgetower, (I always imagined her as a Jabba the Hutt type figure when I was reading this!) who is the source of so much misery to her descendants but also the source of great enlightenment to her benefactor. Stunning!

Read this book!, 11 Jan 2001
Great characters (Professer Vambrace, Humphrey Cobbler etc), and believable storylines. I've read this twice now, and it was even better second time around.

One of the first English-class books that I enjoyed., 22 Jul 1999
...all right, it may have something to do with my fabulous teacher Ms. Biggs, but whatever. A fantastic example of literary theory, in the interweaving of themes and the complex but clear symbolism. ("He was killed by the usual cabal...") I was quite disappointed by the other two books in this trilogy, but I greatly enjoyed this one. Thank you, Ms. Biggs; thank you, Mr. Davies.

An inward-leading story appreciated only at the end., 21 Jul 1999
It is at this point in time that I wish to revoke my former statement about this novel by Robertson Davies. Although at the time unfinished and unliked, this work was something wholly amazing once read. The story twists back through itself and allows for sequels to either be read in sequence or on their own as separate entities. I reccomend reading the second in the series: "The Manticore". -Enjoy

Davies' Deptford Trilogy - A MUST-read, 14 Jul 1999
The only bad thing about Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy (FIFTH BUSINESS, THE MANTICORE, WORLD OF WONDERS) is that it had to end! Sparklingly clever, bawdy, poignant, erudite, and laugh-out-loud funny, Davies entertains in a wonderfully rich, old-world style.

A friend of mine (who recommended the books, and to whom I will be forever grateful) put it this way: "Reading Robertson Davies is like sitting in a plush, wood-paneled library--in a large leather chair with a glass of excellent brandy and a crackling fire--and being captivated with a fabulous tale spun by a wonderful raconteur."

WOW!!, 25 Jun 1999
This book is definitely one of the best I've ever read. The plot is stunning, mature, unique, and sophisticated. I couldn't put the book down!! The characters were wonderfully contrived, and the way Davies wove them into one plot was beautifully done. It was amusing at times too, and interesting to see how Dunstan Ramsay and his friends matured.

Thank saints there are 2 more in the series, 23 Jun 1999
In this mature and subtle book, Davies sets out to expore the crisis that takes grip when one must justify a life lived. But like the plot itself, the reader is left with perhaps more questions than anwers. Why do we value acheivement more than deapth of spirit? Is the life of one dragged by events any less valuable that that of the successful showman, businessman or politician? Isn't success just an illusion that covers the emptiness of spirit that is its inevitable companion?

Along the way, the reader meets colorful characters - priests and sinners - the enliven the story.

A book that is therapy bound by leather.

Theft or postmodernism?, 05 Dec 2006
This is the only readable book by Great Canadian Writer Robertson Davies, possibly because the first (and best) section is lifted from Memoirs of a Sword Swallower (read it). A small boy is kidnapped by a travelling carnival in the American poverty and hick belt. He tells how far from glamorous this life is and shows us the grime beneath the sequins: the jolly Fat Lady is really sad and grey-haired; the snakes in the snake-charming act are constantly replaced as they die from too much man-handling. When the central character grows up, he joins a straight theatrical troupe and then becomes a career magician, but the book becomes infested with a lot of Jungian codswallop. If you like this, read the Memoirs of a Sword Swallower and J B Priestly's Lost Empires.

Davies' Deptford Trilogy - A must-read, 15 Jul 1999
The only bad thing about Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy (FIFTH BUSINESS, THE MANTICORE, WORLD OF WONDERS) is that it had to end! Sparklingly clever, bawdy, poignant, erudite, and laugh-out-loud funny, Davies entertains in a wonderfully rich, old-world style.

A friend of mine (who recommended the books, and to whom I will be forever grateful) put it this way: "Reading Robertson Davies is like sitting in a plush, wood-paneled library--in a large leather chair with a glass of excellent brandy and a crackling fire--and being captivated with a fabulous tale spun by a wonderful raconteur."

The greatest novel of the twentieth century, 27 Dec 1998
This is the best novel of the century's best English language novelist. The plot is sure-fire (kid runs away with the carnival), the characters memorable (sideshow freaks, revealed to be--human beings! theater people, great and small, revealed to be--human beings!), the sins enormous (pederasty, pride, perhaps even murder), the virtues marvelous (love, devotion to love). The theme of this book, as with the other books in the trilogy, is search for self--the main character of this book lives four different lives during his life. This book works on every level; it reads well as a story, gives you something to think about, and stands up to any number of readings you'd care to give it. (I've given it at least five.)

A Magician's Biography Unravels a Mystery, 03 Jun 1997
Davies uses the 'accidental' revelation of a great magician's life--by the magician himself--to complete the Deptford Trilogy and answer the mystery: "Who killed...?" Davies is at his storytelling best here, spinning out a strange, fascinating life story that begins when a young boy is captivated by a carnival magic show. By far the best book of the trilogy, this novel stands brilliantly on its own and is head and shoulders above the two recent novels that use almost the same plot: Mr. Vertigo, by Paul Auster, and Millroy the Magician, by Paul Theroux.

The ripple effect, 31 Aug 2007
Leaven of Malice (the middle book of Davies' Salteron Trilogy) begins with an intriguing premise: in the small university town of Salterton, someone has placed an notice in the local paper announcing the engagement of Solomon Bridgetower, a young academic, and Pearl Vambrace, a librarian and the daughter of the respected Professor Vambrace. The problem: there is no such engagement, and the Bridgetowers and Vambraces have a long-standing grievance against each other.

The fallout from this malicious joke is the subject of this novel, as the flustered reaction to the announcement of the engagement brings out the worst in everyone. Pearl's father takes it as a personal slight on his honour, Solly's controlling mother becomes ever more oppressive when it seems her son may defy her wishes, Gloster Ridley (the editor of the local paper) fights off the lawyers threatening action on behalf of the Vambrace family and wonders how to hunt down the perpetrator. Caught in the middle of this storm and with their own opinions about how they should respond to the notice disregarded by their families, Solly and Pearl are forced to rely on each other for support, with only the mischievous, anarchic organist Humphrey Cobbler to help them.

This is a rich, funny feast of a book, teeming with vividly drawn characters, like all of Robertson Davies's novels. It is a joy to read from start to finish, and a deeply satisfying story in its own right. But don't just buy this book - buy the whole trilogy and read the whole thing. It's well worth it.

The perfect humorous novel., 01 Jan 1997
A Mixture of Frailties tells two complete but entwined stories: one of Sully and his young wife who are burdened by the 'dead hand' of Sully's mother (they must produce a male heir or forfeit a fortune to 'little Miss Nobody, studying Japanese flower-arranging' under the terms of her malevolent will); another of a provincial Canadian girl, Monica, who benefits from the absurd trust established by the will, and makes her way to Europe to learn if she has any talent as an opera singer. Monica has talent, though she often confounds herself in her struggles between filial loyalty to her coarse parents and her innappropriate love for a composer of brilliance but no kindness. In the world of Robertson Davies there are always happy endings. Monica will find her heart, and her future as a singer; Sully and his wife will find a fortune and an heir; a multitude of the sort of people who ought to exist, but somehow never do, will pop up along the way. But the best thing of all? Though Robertson Davies died recently, he left three and two-thirds trilogies which merit reading and re-reading. The man whom The New York Times called "The Canadian Trollope" has left a vastly entertaining and richly humorous collection of novels, essays, and miscellany.

A highly enjoyable series of books., 03 Sep 2002
The three interconnecting life stories span some seventy years from the early twentieth century; yet the book has considerable lightness of touch compared to most historical sagas. It is immensely rich in its characters and descriptions, which cover the First World War, life on the road with a travelling freakshow and a spell of Jungian analysis and a wealth of human experience from childhood to old age. Disappointingly, the narrative does tail off slightly in the latter chapters of the "World of Wonders", the third of the trilogy, namely because the characters involved seem like historical relics, making it frustratingly difficult to identify with their experiences, which is never the case during the first two books. The combination of history, mythology and differing viewpoints makes these books appealing on a variety of levels from rattling good read to thoroughly intellectually stimulating.

A big disappointment . . ., 09 Jan 2002
I tackled this book after a strong recommendation, but was deeply unimpressed: I got to around page 780 (out of 832) before finally losing patience. He goes on and on and ON at such length about things of pretty limited interest, the whole thing could have been said in a quarter of the length. He writes dialogue well, but I didn't think much of all the god/devil/evil stuff, and I finally freaked out when Magnus was drivelling on about that sad bunch of refugees from 19th century theatre... A sad disappointment after such strong recommendations from people whose views I normally respect.

Fun, memorable and thought-provoking, 05 Apr 2001
Robertson Davies draws me into a world of which I know precious little and treats me as though I understand it, and, surprisingly, I do. This is more thanks to his clear explanations than to any ability on my part. The characters are thoroughly believeable and down to earth yet each has another breakaway side that endears and makes them memorable. I can read these books time after time and still find new aspects to enjoy.

Mysterious yet down-to-earth, 01 Oct 2000
This trilogy is the perfect antidote to anyone who feels that the 20th (never mind the 21st) century lost its sense of the spiritual and of enduring values. Beautifully-written, the books chart the interweaving lives of a group of people who start out in a small Canadian town, and those with whom their lives become entangled. We meet a good man who is genuinely appealing and attractive - an almost impossible achievement in a world where the devil usually has the best tunes. And we can relish the slow workings-out of destiny as the ramifications of deeds spread out over the years and the continents. It is surely no accident that is a Jungian analyst with a sensitivity to the mystery of life (and not a reductionist Freudian, Adlerian or the like) who works with the protagonist in the second of these three deeply rewarding works. These books are rich and warm, combining an earthy realism with a profound sense of the spiritual.

Literary gem, 07 Jun 1999
I first read the three books that make up the 'Deptford Trilogy' nearly twenty years ago. Re-reading them recently, I was staggered by how much had stuck in my mind. Not just stuck, but had been working away in the intervening two decades subtly shaping my thoughts. Robertson Davies' characters are beguiling creations - on the one hand they seem strangely familiar, on the other they are larger-than-life archetypes. And that latter point is perhaps no accident: Davies was one of few authors who really understood what Jung was talking about (the middle book of this trilogy sets out a model Jungian analysis that must be the envy of many a therapist). The 'Deptford Trilogy' is exquisitely crafted - intricately plotted, beautifully written. It is a gem of contemporary literature, and a great pleasure to read.

Rare gem, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book by mistake, and what a stroke of luck that was. Davies is a magnificent writer: erudite, funny, interesting, great storyteller, and a master of beautiful prose.
The first two books of the trilogy, for me, were some of the best books I ever read - a full 5 stars, cum laude.
I downgrade the whole rating to 4 stars because the last book of the trilogy is, while still a decent book, vastly inferior to the other two ones. So do yourself a favour, read Rebel Angels an What's Bred in the Bone, and forget about the Lyre of Orpheus.

But is it art?, 26 Mar 2004
Davies's Cornish trilogy should be read by anyone with an interest in the philosophy of art -- questions of attribution, forgery and fakery, and authenticity pervade all three novels, which deal with literature, painting and music respectively. Art in general, and art objects in particular, take on a shadowy, slippery aspect in spite of the very palpable (and almost erotically desirable) qualities they have for Davies's characters. Aesthetic and spiritual experience are intertwined. But the style, while elevated, is never dry or preachy -- the characters are rounded and often delightfully vulgar and even the most intellectual threads of the story are brimming with life and humour.

Save the best till last, 29 Jun 2002
I discovered Rebel Angels;first part of the trilogy by chance. What an amazing piece of fate. It was truly marvellous. What's bred in the bone was nominated for the Booker and just got better. By the Lyre of Orpheus I was transfixed. The mixture of fact, myth & legend is unique.

These books are each terrific good reads. They made me change the way I looked on life in a genuine and deep way. They are erudite and complex with feelings that far transend the populist "feel good trashy", "Alchemist" type novels. I even quoted one at a family funeral.

Truly RB was a great writer but having read all his books for me the Cornish trilogy is his most poignant and touching. Yes, he did save the best till last.

Undoubtably my favorite book, 20 Dec 2000
I read many books on an immensely diverse range of subjects, and up to a dozen books concurrently but the cornish trilogy travels by my side almost always and has been read and reread since I was lucky enough to be given a copy in 1996. A thoroughly engrossing work of litery excellence, an absolute must for anyone with an avid interest in reading.

Definitely in my Top 2 books ever, 29 Feb 2000
Francis Cornish is a mysterious millionaire spy, art-collector, forger and academic around whose life this trilogy is woven. Although the context of the novels is academic, it's a very funny, intrigue-filled and fascinating book. After putting down this trilogy (which was difficult, in spite of its bulk)I felt more informed and entertained than I would have thought possible. The characters are all beautifully drawn, almost Dickensian in their richness. I love it. Who's got my copy?

Tempest tost, 29 Sep 2005
Robertson Davies is known for his deep, detailed look at communities and strange happenings. "The Salterton Trilogy" is no exception: a well-written, often funny and sometimes poignant look at the odd occupants of Salterton, the deceptively quaint Canadian city with two cathedrals and one university.

"Tempest-Tost" opens with the organization of an amateur production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest." A motley crew of actors join it, including an exuberent professor, his quiet daughter, a quiet mama's boy, a beautiful rich girl, a womanizing soldier, and an infatuated schoolteacher. Love, ambition, jealousy and infatuation rapidly tangle together, climaxing in an unusually dramatic opening night.

In contrast, "Leaven of Malice" is half satire and half mystery. The Salterton Bellman announces that Solly Bridgetower and Pearl Vambrace are engaged -- the only problem is that it isn't true. Professor Vambrace sees it as a personal affront, and sues the paper. Pearl and Solly are haunted by false rumors, reports, and claims about who faked the announcement. All they can do is try to find out themselves.

"Mixture of Frailties" opens with the death of Solly's domineering mother. Her will leaves money to Solly's family only if he produces a male heir with his wife Veronica (previously known as Pearl); until then, her money is to be used in a trust for a young female artistic hopeful, who will go to Europe for a few years to study whatever she is good at. And finding the right girl is only the start of Solly's problems.

The tone of the Salterton Trilogy is lighter and less introspective than Davies' other books. Sometimes it's outright hilarious (there's a girl called The Torso, for crying out loud!). The first book is perhaps the funniest and most real-seeming, but it's also rather unfocused because there is no real plot. The second and third books are tighter, but a little more rarified in humor and a little more surreal in tone.

Solly Bridgetower is the unacknowledged center of the trilogy. He barely registers in "Tempest-Tost," but becomes the central figure of the second and third books. He's not a strong person, but he is a likable one. Pearl is only a little more prominent at first, but it's great to see her break out of her shell and become her own person. And without a doubt, Humphrey Cobbler is Davies' best character -- a vivid, devil-may-care artistic genius who winks and nudges in every book.

The Salterton Trilogy is often eclipsed by Davies' better-known Deptford Trilogy, but that doesn't mean it's bad. By no means. It's a pleasant and warmly amusing trio of interconnected stories, and ones you won't forget in a hurry. Highly recommended.

Briliant characterisation, 08 Nov 2001
Woven together by a common location and some of the main characters, this is a saga of the highs and lows of the human condition, which will demand your attention even when you manage to put it down to go and do something less interesting. The characters are alive, Davies' descriptive powers make them dance in front of your eyes, especially Humphrey Cobbler, and the awesome grotesque burden that is Louisa Hansen Bridgetower, (I always imagined her as a Jabba the Hutt type figure when I was reading this!) who is the source of so much misery to her descendants but also the source of great enlightenment to her benefactor. Stunning!

Read this book!, 11 Jan 2001
Great characters (Professer Vambrace, Humphrey Cobbler etc), and believable storylines. I've read this twice now, and it was even better second time around.

One of the first English-class books that I enjoyed., 22 Jul 1999
...all right, it may have something to do with my fabulous teacher Ms. Biggs, but whatever. A fantastic example of literary theory, in the interweaving of themes and the complex but clear symbolism. ("He was killed by the usual cabal...") I was quite disappointed by the other two books in this trilogy, but I greatly enjoyed this one. Thank you, Ms. Biggs; thank you, Mr. Davies.

An inward-leading story appreciated only at the end., 21 Jul 1999
It is at this point in time that I wish to revoke my former statement about this novel by Robertson Davies. Although at the time unfinished and unliked, this work was something wholly amazing once read. The story twists back through itself and allows for sequels to either be read in sequence or on their own as separate entities. I reccomend reading the second in the series: "The Manticore". -Enjoy

Davies' Deptford Trilogy - A MUST-read, 14 Jul 1999
The only bad thing about Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy (FIFTH BUSINESS, THE MANTICORE, WORLD OF WONDERS) is that it had to end! Sparklingly clever, bawdy, poignant, erudite, and laugh-out-loud funny, Davies entertains in a wonderfully rich, old-world style.

A friend of mine (who recommended the books, and to whom I will be forever grateful) put it this way: "Reading Robertson Davies is like sitting in a plush, wood-paneled library--in a large leather chair with a glass of excellent brandy and a crackling fire--and being captivated with a fabulous tale spun by a wonderful raconteur."

WOW!!, 25 Jun 1999
This book is definitely one of the best I've ever read. The plot is stunning, mature, unique, and sophisticated. I couldn't put the book down!! The characters were wonderfully contrived, and the way Davies wove them into one plot was beautifully done. It was amusing at times too, and interesting to see how Dunstan Ramsay and his friends matured.

Thank saints there are 2 more in the series, 23 Jun 1999
In this mature and subtle book, Davies sets out to expore the crisis that takes grip when one must justify a life lived. But like the plot itself, the reader is left with perhaps more questions than anwers. Why do we value acheivement more than deapth of spirit? Is the life of one dragged by events any less valuable that that of the successful showman, businessman or politician? Isn't success just an illusion that covers the emptiness of spirit that is its inevitable companion?

Along the way, the reader meets colorful characters - priests and sinners - the enliven the story.

A book that is therapy bound by leather.

Theft or postmodernism?, 05 Dec 2006
This is the only readable book by Great Canadian Writer Robertson Davies, possibly because the first (and best) section is lifted from Memoirs of a Sword Swallower (read it). A small boy is kidnapped by a travelling carnival in the American poverty and hick belt. He tells how far from glamorous this life is and shows us the grime beneath the sequins: the jolly Fat Lady is really sad and grey-haired; the snakes in the snake-charming act are constantly replaced as they die from too much man-handling. When the central character grows up, he joins a straight theatrical troupe and then becomes a career magician, but the book becomes infested with a lot of Jungian codswallop. If you like this, read the Memoirs of a Sword Swallower and J B Priestly's Lost Empires.

Davies' Deptford Trilogy - A must-read, 15 Jul 1999
The only bad thing about Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy (FIFTH BUSINESS, THE MANTICORE, WORLD OF WONDERS) is that it had to end! Sparklingly clever, bawdy, poignant, erudite, and laugh-out-loud funny, Davies entertains in a wonderfully rich, old-world style.

A friend of mine (who recommended the books, and to whom I will be forever grateful) put it this way: "Reading Robertson Davies is like sitting in a plush, wood-paneled library--in a large leather chair with a glass of excellent brandy and a crackling fire--and being captivated with a fabulous tale spun by a wonderful raconteur."

The greatest novel of the twentieth century, 27 Dec 1998
This is the best novel of the century's best English language novelist. The plot is sure-fire (kid runs away with the carnival), the characters memorable (sideshow freaks, revealed to be--human beings! theater people, great and small, revealed to be--human beings!), the sins enormous (pederasty, pride, perhaps even murder), the virtues marvelous (love, devotion to love). The theme of this book, as with the other books in the trilogy, is search for self--the main character of this book lives four different lives during his life. This book works on every level; it reads well as a story, gives you something to think about, and stands up to any number of readings you'd care to give it. (I've given it at least five.)

A Magician's Biography Unravels a Mystery, 03 Jun 1997
Davies uses the 'accidental' revelation of a great magician's life--by the magician himself--to complete the Deptford Trilogy and answer the mystery: "Who killed...?" Davies is at his storytelling best here, spinning out a strange, fascinating life story that begins when a young boy is captivated by a carnival magic show. By far the best book of the trilogy, this novel stands brilliantly on its own and is head and shoulders above the two recent novels that use almost the same plot: Mr. Vertigo, by Paul Auster, and Millroy the Magician, by Paul Theroux.

The ripple effect, 31 Aug 2007
Leaven of Malice (the middle book of Davies' Salteron Trilogy) begins with an intriguing premise: in the small university town of Salterton, someone has placed an notice in the local paper announcing the engagement of Solomon Bridgetower, a young academic, and Pearl Vambrace, a librarian and the daughter of the respected Professor Vambrace. The problem: there is no such engagement, and the Bridgetowers and Vambraces have a long-standing grievance against each other.

The fallout from this malicious joke is the subject of this novel, as the flustered reaction to the announcement of the engagement brings out the worst in everyone. Pearl's father takes it as a personal slight on his honour, Solly's controlling mother becomes ever more oppressive when it seems her son may defy her wishes, Gloster Ridley (the editor of the local paper) fights off the lawyers threatening action on behalf of the Vambrace family and wonders how to hunt down the perpetrator. Caught in the middle of this storm and with their own opinions about how they should respond to the notice disregarded by their families, Solly and Pearl are forced to rely on each other for support, with only the mischievous, anarchic organist Humphrey Cobbler to help them.

This is a rich, funny feast of a book, teeming with vividly drawn characters, like all of Robertson Davies's novels. It is a joy to read from start to finish, and a deeply satisfying story in its own right. But don't just buy this book - buy the whole trilogy and read the whole thing. It's well worth it.

The perfect humorous novel., 01 Jan 1997
A Mixture of Frailties tells two complete but entwined stories: one of Sully and his young wife who are burdened by the 'dead hand' of Sully's mother (they must produce a male heir or forfeit a fortune to 'little Miss Nobody, studying Japanese flower-arranging' under the terms of her malevolent will); another of a provincial Canadian girl, Monica, who benefits from the absurd trust established by the will, and makes her way to Europe to learn if she has any talent as an opera singer. Monica has talent, though she often confounds herself in her struggles between filial loyalty to her coarse parents and her innappropriate love for a composer of brilliance but no kindness. In the world of Robertson Davies there are always happy endings. Monica will find her heart, and her future as a singer; Sully and his wife will find a fortune and an heir; a multitude of the sort of people who ought to exist, but somehow never do, will pop up along the way. But the best thing of all? Though Robertson Davies died recently, he left three and two-thirds trilogies which merit reading and re-reading. The man whom The New York Times called "The Canadian Trollope" has left a vastly entertaining and richly humorous collection of novels, essays, and miscellany.

Tost around, 07 Mar 2007
Robertson Davies's "Tempest Tost," first volume of the Salterton trilogy, opens in a deceptively quaint Canadian city, with two cathedrals (one Catholic, one Anglican) and one university. Still waters run deep, and quaint towns run weird. While it's not Davies' best work, it's still entertaining and quite amusing.
An amateur production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" is being put on in Salterton, under the guidance of Ms. Valentine, and a seemingly random assortment of people arrive to audition. The usual problems -- revealing "arty" costumes, warring auditions, simmering rivalries, and some rare old books -- crop up, with a few extras in the bargain.

Hector Mackilwraith, a prissy, aging teacher, joins because of his crush on the beautiful heiress Griselda Webster. But Griselda is flirting with womanizing soldier Roger, who's romancing her to gain a sense of class, and is worshiped by the colorless Pearl. The relationships and mistakes they make come to a climax as the "Tempest" begins to storm...

Anyone who's watched "Midwinter's Tale" knows that putting on a play is never a picnic, and it's even worse when there's internal tension and weird actors. There's a sense of the fantastical around "Tempest Tost," even though nothing really fantasy-like happens. His tone is less barbed than traditional satire, but no less amusing or insightful. His style is a good combination of the more formal styles of the early twentieth-century and the more streamlined style of more recent times.

Where the book excels is character development. The plot really has no beginning or end; it just stops after awhile. The characters just border on parody, with fussy teachers, effusive "bad girls," gypsy philosophers, slick serial womanizers, precocious teens, pompous professors, and more. Humphrey Cobbler, who is a sort of gypsy philosopher, is the most vivid and engaging guy in here.

The characters are very multifaceted, like real people. Roger is an expert portrait of a human Ken doll who feels no need to be anything else; Griselda and Freddy are the slightly fickle but kindly daughters of an eccentric; the Torso seems like she'll be a pain at first, but is revealed to be a diamond in the rough. Hector, with his stalkerlike obsession with Griselda and odd brand of sexism (he considers a girl who has been kissed to be no better than a hooker) just gave me the creeps.

"Tempest Tost" was Davies' first book, but while it hasn't got the polish his later works have, it's still a solid and smooth read. Highly recommended as a modern classic.

Yes, he was younger then., 16 Apr 1999
I agree with the above reviews. This delightful book was written by a green Davies -- not yet in his prime. The thing for you prospective readers is to do as my Canadian literary guru had me do. Start with this book, this trilogy and read chronologically. Then you get the double pleasure of reading good literature and admiring the author's development. As for wanting to read more Davies after this -- it's a given.

A light weight Davies, but still a great book, 11 Jul 1998
Reading this book is like taking a trip with a mixed bag of characters: College students, college professors, ex-army vets, an opinionated gardener, teenagers, and many others. There is rarely a dull moment, there are many clever insights, and even though the trip doesn't finally leads us anywhere special, getting there is lots of fun. And there is Davies' attitude towards his characters: an amused curiosity, a gentle observation, so that the worst of them are still lovable human beings.

He's done much better!, 10 Apr 1998
I will begin by saying that I am a huge and probably biased fan of Robertson Davies. I am also a Canadian, which causes me to be even more so lenient to Davies. But, I have to say that in comparison to some of his later works, which I have read and greatly enjoyed, this book was lacking. There simply was no ending - the book just closes with a pathetic whimper as if the author had grown tired of writing it and moved on to other projects.