The Cunning Man [Large Print] [Paperback]

Robertson Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1995

This novel tells the story of "the cunning man", from boyhood to old age, who is a doctor but also possibly a shaman. In it the author explores religion, psychosymatic illness, love and death.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Canadian novelist Davies's latest concerning the mysterious death of a Catholic priest, was a PW bestseller for seven weeks.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

It is always a pleasure to read works that manage to be both entertaining and intelligent. Throughout his long career, Canadian novelist Davies (e.g., What's Bred in the Bone, LJ 11/15/85) has successfully combined these two elements. His latest protagonist, Dr. Jonathan Hullah, is a holistic physician-a cunning diagnostician who is often able to get to the root of problems that have baffled others. A young reporter's query about the circumstances surrounding an Episcopalian priest's death at the high altar on Good Friday leads the doctor to reflect on his own life and career. While the issues addressed are those that have long preoccupied Davies-the nature of friendship, religion, faith, and artistic life-the approach is anything but pompous and dry. Davies's characterizations are rich (and just a bit quirky) and his commentary filled with humor (e.g., deconstructionism "comes from France, as so many brilliant and short lived notions do"). One of those rare novels that can be wholeheartedly recommended for libraries of every type and size, including high schools.
--David W. Henderson, Eckerd Coll. Lib., St. Petersburg, Fla.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 578 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Pub Inc (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568952309
• ISBN-13: 978-1568952307
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,803,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Canada dry mock, June 4, 2001

By 

Pumpkin King - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cunning Man (Paperback)

This is my first encounter with Robertson Davies. I had never heard of him, and would not have read him if he weren't noted in the reader's list of the Modern Library's top 100 novels. And how unfortunate it would have been had I not picked up this book!

The Cunning Man is an examination of the life of a doctor, told by himself. Asked to recall the story of the strange death of Father Ninian Hobbes which he witnessed, he recounts his past; his childhood, his schooling, the work of his profession, the influences that have made him who he is. In doing so, he shares with us his observations on the nature of life, love, art, illness, friendship, and many other things. Davies lets us have a picture of life, complete with accomplishments and disappointments, dreams and dreams undone, and makes it real and interesting and intelligent. I can understand the appeal he has for his fans and I will be reading more of Davies' books soon.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elegantly crafted and narrated, June 27, 2003

By 

Matthew Krichman (Durango, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cunning Man (Paperback)

When I read Fifth Business I knew instantly that Robertson Davies would become one of my favorite authors. The Cunning Man has confirmed that opinion. Davies is the master of creating passive observer narrators, characters who are fascinating in and of themselves, but remain just aloof and removed enough so as not to feel like they are influencing the course of events in the story. Dr. Jonathan Hullah, the cunning man, is just that type. Observant, witty, charming, and opinionated (when an opinion is required), he narrates an engrossing tale that spans his entire lifetime. As he beautifully unfolds the mystery behind the death of Father Hobbes, as well as weaving several other elegant plot lines, he reveals throughout his thoughtful insights on humanity. This is a delightful book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A disappointment, June 30, 2004

By 

grapemanca (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cunning Man (Paperback)

As a long-time Robertson Davies fan, I was disappointed with his last novel. To be sure, his understanding of human nature remained exceptional to the end. However, the plot meandered and digressed far too often, and Mr. Davies seemed determined to pack in every pithy aphorism and witticism he could, even if it didn't seem necessary for the narrative. This would not be my first choice for an introduction to the warm and wise world of Robertson Davies.