The Papers of Samuel Marchbanks [Hardcover]

Robertson Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 1986

Now in paperback, the book that marked the first appearance in the United States of Robertson Davies's mischievous alter ego, Samuel Marchbanks.

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

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this collection of his newspaper pieces, mostly from the late Forties, Davies introduces us to his alter ego, a mildly irascible curmudgeon whose opinions and observations have been so popular in Canada that three volumes of his columns have been published there: The Diary , The Table Talk , and The Garland of Miscellania. Davies has re-edited them to produce a single volume and in the prefatory "A Drink with Marchbanks" even given us his own view of the journalist he created. A pleasant entertainment covering such diverse topics as politics, theater, and manners, this volume offers a humorous and insightful picture of postwar Canadian life as seen through the eyes of a delightful eccentric who reminds this reader of a boozeless W. C. Fields. Charles Bishop, English Dept., Univ. of New Orleans
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; First Edition edition (July 7, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670811459
• ISBN-13: 978-0670811458
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,251,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robertson Davies' Alter Ego, June 6, 2000

By 

Cheryl (Pasadena, California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Papers of Samuel Marchbanks (Hardcover)

Samuel Marchbanks is a grouchy old newspaperman who struggles with his coal furnace, garden, and neighbours in an attempt to live life as he feels is proper. He is witty, open-minded, well-read, and likes to shock his acquaintances.

The Diary is a record of his day-to-day life over a year, with several amusing plot-lines running through it. The Table Talk is just that--a collection of Marchbanks' favourite prandial conversations (or monologues as the case may be). The Miscellanea are letters and various papers, as well as an interview of Marchbanks by Davies.

This is an extremely funny collection of fiction. Although knowledge of early twentieth-century Canadian life helps, it's not necessary.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first class Canadian Wit, December 4, 2002

By 

shelley isom (El Cerrito, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Papers of Samuel Marchbanks (Hardcover)

Humor has moved to tv/movies. There are very few really funny writers around. Robertson Davies is a gem, all the rarer for being in such sparse company. This book has at least two or three laughs per page. It is a compendium of miscelleanous writing by one Samuel Marchbanks (Davies' alter ego) who keeps diaries and writes columns. I find myself giggling on my way to work on the subway as I race through these short aphoristic pieces. Highly recommend for any scrooges who refer to babies in terms appropriate for judging a ham and can stand dogs only in newspaper reports about their valorous deeds.