That said, "Dunny" does manage to gain multiple degrees upon his return to Canada but much like St. Dunstan "was mad about learning, terribly still & stern and an absolute wizard at avoiding temptation." And yet, even when Dunstan involves himself in acts of complete charity, on behalf of the afflicted Mary Dempster for example, he appears to remain unfulfilled. Fifth Business here is Dunstan Ramsey, a pedantic old schoolteacher given to traipsing around Europe looking at statues of saints. He's unreliable, possibly as a narrator of events, certainly as a judge of himself. On his retirement he's been condescendingly eulogized as "a senile, former worthy who has stumbled through forty-five years of teaching...with a bee in his bonnet about myth;" this book is a rambling letter meant as a rebuttal, but which accidentally succeeds in proving the eulogy.

Arthur Brown is the brother of Audrey, a plump, jolly mouse who often becomes irritated by his sister's saucy attitude and tendency to seemingly dream up wild, fantastic stories. Jarvis has indicated that he based the character of Arthur on himself. [6]

Boy' (Percy Boyd) Staunton – Ramsay's "lifelong friend and enemy" who throws a snowball at him which instead hits Mary Dempster, thereby precipitating the premature birth of Paul Dempster and her subsequent slide into madness. Staunton changes his name from Percy to Boy. A talented businessman and investor, he becomes fabulously wealthy in the sugar-processing business in Canada, eventually owning a conglomerate involved in many different industries (Alpha Corporation). A charming man, he has an immense need for sex. Last week was Robertson Davies readalong week in the blog world, which was my excuse to finally try him for the first time. Of course, Canadians have long recognized what a treasure he is, but he’s less known elsewhere. I do remember that Erica Wagner, one of my literary heroes (an American in England; former books editor of the London Times, etc.), has expressed great admiration for his work. XIX века у Детфорду, безначајном месту у Канади, учесника у Првом светском рату, носиоца ордена Вик��оријиног крста, писца неколико значајних историјских монографија, а посебно житија светих људи. The Deptford Trilogy by Robertson Davies is a literary masterpiece that explores various themes such as identity, fate, and the power of storytelling. The trilogy follows the lives of three men, Dunstan Ramsay, Percy Boyd Staunton, and Paul Dempster, and their interconnected stories that span over several decades. One of the central themes of the trilogy is the search for identity. Each of the three protagonists struggles with their sense of self and their place in the world. Dunstan Ramsay, for instance, grapples with his role as a historian and his relationship with his family. Percy Boyd Staunton, on the other hand, is haunted by his past and his desire for power and control. Paul Dempster, who is initially known as “Boy,” struggles with his identity as an outcast and his eventual transformation into a famous magician. The theme of fate is also prevalent throughout the trilogy. The characters’ lives are shaped by their past experiences and the choices they make, but they also seem to be guided by a higher force. The power of storytelling is another significant theme in the trilogy. Davies uses the characters’ narratives to explore the nature of truth and the role of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the world. Overall, The Deptford Trilogy is a rich and complex work that delves into the human experience and the mysteries of life. The Role of Myth and Magic

At the same time, The Deptford Trilogy is also deeply influenced by the wider literary canon. Davies was a scholar of literature, and his novels are filled with references to classic works of literature. The novels draw on the themes and motifs of epic literature, such as the hero’s journey and the struggle between good and evil. They also explore the complexities of human nature, drawing on the works of Shakespeare and other great writers. The book has beautiful prose. Simple yet captivating and perhaps it is what played a big part in what this book is.Fifth business. No clue what that title promised. And it started well. Silly spirally kalliope felt as she had unraveled her spiral and distanced herself several universes from holy-land. Davies γράφει για την θρησκεία, για το Α΄ΠΑγκόσμιο πόλεμο, για το εκπαιδευτικό σύστημα και την ζωή στην επαρχία του Καναδά και ξέρει τι γράφει. Όπως ξέρει τι γράφει, όταν πασπαλίζει την ιστορία του με μυριάδες λεπτομέρειες, ψψυχογραφήματα ανθρώπων, εκκλησιάσματα, για την ιστορία των αγίων και για το τσίρκο με το οποίο το έσκασε από το σπίτι του ο Πολ Ντέμπστερ.

The second book in Robertson Davies’s acclaimedThe Deptford Trilogy,with a new foreword by Kelly Link The fact that it's a staple of grade 12 reading lists is a travesty. Do a bunch of teenagers care about a stodgy old well-off white dude's struggles? His guilt is uninspiring. The characters are two-dimensional and their motivations incomprehensible. "I like saints!" Nobody cares. Fichtelberg, Susan (2007). Encountering Enchantment: A Guide to Speculative Fiction for Teens. Libraries Unlimited. p.154. ISBN 9781591583165.

My Book Notes

Overall, The Deptford Trilogy is a must-read for anyone who loves literature. The novels are beautifully written, and the characters are complex and multi-dimensional. The trilogy is a journey of self-discovery, and readers will find themselves reflecting on their own lives as they follow the lives of Dunstan, David, and Magnus. The First Novel: Fifth Business The Deptford Trilogy by Robertson Davies is a literary masterpiece that explores the themes of history and memory. The importance of these themes cannot be overstated, as they are essential to understanding the human experience. History provides us with a record of the past, while memory allows us to reflect on our personal experiences and the experiences of others. Together, they help us to make sense of the world around us and to learn from the mistakes of the past. Thomas Triton is a retired midshipmouse who makes his home aboard the Cutty Sark. He befriends Twit when the latter is unexpectedly dropped onto the ship by the bats Orfeo and Eldritch. Some of the elements of character Percy Boyd Staunton's life resemble that of Davies' friend Vincent Massey. Both men became rich from their father's agricultural businesses. Both men enlisted in World War I, went into politics afterward and held cabinet positions, and strengthened Canada's ties with the mother country. Massey was appointed as the first Canada-born Governor General, Boy is likewise appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. The most convincing parallel is that Boy becomes the chair of the board of Governors which runs the school at which Ramsay teaches, much as Robertson Davies spent his career at the University of Toronto as the Master of Massey College. But the Staunton character is highly fictionalized. Davies has said that aspects of the character are more reflective of his father. The influence of Jungian psychology is evident throughout Robertson Davies’ The Deptford Trilogy. Davies, a Canadian novelist, was deeply interested in the works of Carl Jung and incorporated many of his ideas into his writing. Jungian psychology emphasizes the importance of the unconscious mind and the role it plays in shaping our behavior and personality. This theme is explored in depth in the trilogy, particularly in the character of Dunstan Ramsay, who undergoes a profound transformation as he confronts his own unconscious desires and fears. The trilogy also explores the concept of individuation, which is the process of becoming one’s true self. This is a central theme in Jungian psychology and is exemplified in the character of Magnus Eisengrim, who undergoes a journey of self-discovery and transformation throughout the trilogy. Overall, the influence of Jungian psychology is a significant aspect of The Deptford Trilogy and adds depth and complexity to the characters and themes explored in the novels. The Role of Religion and Spirituality

The Manticore is the story of David Staunton, a successful lawyer who is struggling to come to terms with his past. David seeks the help of a Jungian analyst, Dr. Jung, to unravel the mysteries of his psyche. The novel is a journey of self-discovery, as David confronts his demons and learns to accept himself for who he is. Audrey Brown is a spunky, intelligent mouse girl with a sharp tongue that often gets her into trouble. She loves to daydream and enjoys dressing up in lacy outfits and wearing ribbons in her hair. When her father goes missing, she refuses to believe he is dead and sets out to find him.The book was first published in the United Kingdom by Macdonald & Company in 1989, and was a runner-up for that year's Nestlé Smarties Book Prize. [2] In 2000, it was published by SeaStar Books in the United States [3] and given the Booklist Editors' Choice designation. [4] [5] Plot [ edit ] One of the most common themes in critical responses to The Deptford Trilogy is the idea of personal transformation. The novels follow the lives of several characters who undergo significant changes throughout the course of the story. For example, in Fifth Business, the protagonist Dunstan Ramsay must confront his past and come to terms with his role in a tragic event that occurred in his youth. In The Manticore, David Staunton embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns to confront his own demons. And in World of Wonders, Magnus Eisengrim transforms himself from a shy, awkward boy into a charismatic performer. Leola Staunton (née Cruikshank) – The first love of Ramsay, she marries Boy Staunton. Beautiful but volatile, she cannot live up to her ambitious husband's expectations. I think that, among other things, it's a bildungsroman, if that encompasses the development of the main character and his discovery of wisdom across his whole lifetime. That could be what makes this book so wonderful. Forgive yourself for being a human creature, Ramezay. That is the beginning of wisdom; that is part of what is meant by the fear of God; and for you it is the only way to save your sanity.”