From Publishers Weekly
In amassing the first collection of the late Canadian novelist's letters, Davies's biographer Grant (Robertson Davies: Man of Myth) discovered many had actually been framed, which says something about not only Davies's status as grand old man of Canuck letters, but also their sheer entertainment value. This volume covers the years from 1976, when he was 63, to his death in 1995; during this period, he was at last a successful public figure, as the master of Massey College at the University of Toronto and the successful novelist of the Deptford Trilogy. His status is elevated enough that he not only helpfully blurbs aspiring novelists' works, but also burlesques literary critics and book reviewers (though he warns one lucky recipient, "PS: Of course this letter is for your eye alone"). In the world of letters, his correspondents include fellow novelists John Irving, Mordecai Richler and Margaret Atwood, his editors and translators, and, of course, his readers, from schoolgirls to college professors. He deals with them all with equanimity and good humor, whether answering questions about his Jungian symbolism or explicating the Canada-Quebec culture wars and the propinquitous influence of the United States. As a public figure, he occasionally writes open letters to newspaper editors; in private his sentiments range from cheerfully curmudgeonly to plain irascible. His sporadic reminiscences about his early years in the theater in England and in provincial journalism might leave the reader wishing for letters from that younger Davies, but as these show, the great writer mastered the art of growing old gracefully and entertainingly. (Jan. 15) Forecast: Thanks to Davies's sterling reputation, this will be widely reviewed. Davies has legions of fans south of the Canadian border, and they will delight in this opportunity to meet the novelist in his own words. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
One of the best Canadian novelists of the 20th century, Davies (1913-95) is known for his "Deptford" and "Salterton" trilogies, among other works. This collection of letters, dating from 1976 to 1995, is intended as the first published volume of the author's correspondence. Editor Grant is the author of the massive 1994 biography Robertson Davies: Man of Myth, and some of the letters are addressed to her. Although a number are written to well-known individuals, such as actor John Gielgud and novelist John Irving, most are addressed to friends, colleagues, editors, and family members and reflect Davies's humor, prejudices, strong opinions, and great warmth and feeling. The topics are varied, but many of the letters are concerned with the arts, Canadian literature, the place of Canada as seen by the rest of the world, and the processes by which Davies produced some of his greatest novels. The explanatory notes are informative, while the facsimiles of some of the author's letters give an added pictorial value to the collection. Strongly recommended to all devotees of the writer; for larger public and academic library collections.DMorris Hounion, New York City Technical Coll. Lib., Brooklyn Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Taken from the last two decades of Davies' octogenarian life, which ended in 1995, these missives partake of the author's personal and literary style. By turns theatrical and moral, his novels, comprising the Deptford Trilogy and the Cornish Trilogy, were above all imaginative, a quality he dilates on to many of his correspondents, which here range from ordinary fans to harsh critics such as novelist Joyce Carol Oates. A bemused soul when he thought the complaining writer or professional tastemaker simply missed the point, Davies' replies always cushioned his technical retort with irony and even merriment. Edited by his biographer, who with Davies' cooperation wrote Robertson Davies: Man of Myth (1994), the correspondence projects Davies' personality, outwardly that of a kindly curmudgeon--a "Tory crank" in one self-description--but inwardly that of a commiserative commentator, albeit stoically so, about others' inner lives. A devotee of Jung, and sensible of a shadowy psychological and spiritual world that he incorporated into his novels, Davies leaves his characteristic mark in these letters, which should lure once again his loyal readership. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Robertson Davies, one of North America's most beloved and critically acclaimed novelists, added an impeccable sense of style to all his diverse writings. Now, in this exciting publishing event, there is further cause for celebration with the publication of his selected letters. This volume for the first time gathers together previously unpublished letters that Davies wrote while at the height of his illustrious career.

In these lively and provocative letters readers will find affectionate letters to his daughter, witty barbs to hostile critics, as well as amusing and profound observations on the creative life. Correspondence with famous figures like Sir John Gielgud and Margaret Atwood offers fascinating pieces of gossip: "... and Salvador Dali, at the next table, raised his eyebrows and popped his eyes to such a degree that I feared they might leave their moorings and bounce about the floor."

Poignant, sometimes devilish, and always entertaining, these wonderful letters give a rarely seen portrait of the private Davies.


About the Author
In addition to writing twelve novels, several volumes of essays, and a handful of plays, Robertson Davies (1913-1995) was an actor with the Old Vic Company in England, publisher of the Peterborough Ontario Examiner, and professor and first master of Masey College at the University of Toronto. He was the first Canadian to be inducted into the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Robertson Davies brought a great sense of style to everything he wrote. Whether it was a letter to his daughter ("Love from us both, Daddy") or a formal letter to the editor disemboweling a hostile review that concludes humbly ("I am content to remain, Yours, writhing in deserved ignominy ..."), he wrote with care, with zest, and in a clearly distinctive voice." "Since these letters written by Davies have been selected from the years when he was at the height of his fame, the recipients range widely, from Sir John Gielgud to Margaret Atwood to his publishers around the world. Naturally, like all the best letters, they contain fascinating gossip: "... and Salvador Dali, at the next table, raised his eyebrows and popped his eyes to such a degree that I feared they might leave their moorings and bounce about the floor."" "The title of the book comes from a confidential letter to Jack McClelland and hints at the secrets to be learned from these letters. This "over the shoulder" look at his private correspondence shows us Davies in a variety of roles: as a keen theatergoer writing a letter of congratulations to an actor after a fine performance; as a professional writer advocating to a cabinet minister fair rates for authors; as a husband constructing a handwritten circular card to convey loving birthday greetings to his wife; as a bearer of health - giving good cheer to an ailing friend; and as a novelist struggling with his new books, and admitting to his doubts about them." "The letters are frequently testy, tart, and not always "politically correct." Among those who felt his sting are Judith Skelton Grant, his biographer, and Douglas Gibson, his publisher, but other, more deserving targets are suitably chastised. And whether they are funny, moving, or thought provoking, these private letters provide a new look at the private Davies, revealed in his own vigorous words."--BOOK JACKET.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In amassing the first collection of the late Canadian novelist's letters, Davies's biographer Grant (Robertson Davies: Man of Myth) discovered many had actually been framed, which says something about not only Davies's status as grand old man of Canuck letters, but also their sheer entertainment value. This volume covers the years from 1976, when he was 63, to his death in 1995; during this period, he was at last a successful public figure, as the master of Massey College at the University of Toronto and the successful novelist of the Deptford Trilogy. His status is elevated enough that he not only helpfully blurbs aspiring novelists' works, but also burlesques literary critics and book reviewers (though he warns one lucky recipient, "PS: Of course this letter is for your eye alone"). In the world of letters, his correspondents include fellow novelists John Irving, Mordecai Richler and Margaret Atwood, his editors and translators, and, of course, his readers, from schoolgirls to college professors. He deals with them all with equanimity and good humor, whether answering questions about his Jungian symbolism or explicating the Canada-Quebec culture wars and the propinquitous influence of the United States. As a public figure, he occasionally writes open letters to newspaper editors; in private his sentiments range from cheerfully curmudgeonly to plain irascible. His sporadic reminiscences about his early years in the theater in England and in provincial journalism might leave the reader wishing for letters from that younger Davies, but as these show, the great writer mastered the art of growing old gracefully and entertainingly. (Jan. 15) Forecast: Thanks to Davies's sterling reputation, this will be widely reviewed. Davies has legions of fans south of the Canadian border, and they will delight in this opportunity to meet the novelist in his own words. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal