Tempest-tost [Hardcover]

Robertson Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1951 | Edition: 1st

No other Canadian novelist is lauded and read as widely outside his homeland as Robertson Davies. His characters fascinate, and his gentle, graceful style makes no demands on the reader. His civilized prose should read well aloud-indeed, Davidson helps one hear its strengths. He provides an intelligent, expressive, well-paced rendering of the narrative about a Canadian university professor, as well as vivid impersonations of the characters. However, he has trouble with the "authorial voice." In his mouth, the narrative has a sarcastic, even cynical, edge, whereas Davies's words, though not without humor and irony, are far more empathetic.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''Davies's characters fascinate, and his gentle, graceful style makes no demands on the reader. His civilized prose should read well aloud -- indeed, Davidson helps one hear its strengths. He provides an intelligent, expressive, well-paced rendering of the narrative. . . as well as vivid impersonations of the characters.'' --AudioFile

''Hilarious, satirical, witty and clever.'' -- Edmonton Journal

''High comedy with a spice of satire to give it savor.'' --Montreal Gazette

''An exercise in puckish persiflage.'' --Toronto Star --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

Robertson Davies, novelist, playwright, literary critic and essayist, was born in 1913 in Thamesville, Ontario. The Manticore was published in 1973, followed by The Salterton Trilogy (Tempest-Tost, Leaven of Malice, winner of the Leacock Award for Humour, and A Mixture of Frailties); The Deptford Trilogy (Fifth Business, The Manticore and World of Wonders); The Cornish Trilogy (The Rebel Angels, What's Bred in the Bone, shortlisted for the 1986 Booker Prize, and The Lyre of Orpheus); Murther & Walking Spirits; and The Cunning Man. His other work includes One Half of Robertson Davies, The Enthusiasms of Robertson Davies, Robertson Davies: The Well-Tempered Critic, The Papers of Samuel Marchbanks, High Spirits, A Voice from the Attic and The Merry Heart, a posthumous collection of autobiography, lectures and essays. Many of his books are published by Penguin. Robertson Davies died in December 1995. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Clarke, Irwin & Company Limited; 1st edition (1951)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0007J3UW4
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,328,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Deep PG Wodehouse, November 1, 1999

By 

Mark Salter - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tempest-tost (Salterton Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

An early novel (actually the first). Light touch with Davies's brand of situational and character-based humor. Comes off like deep PG Wodehouse, which is certainly no insult. I wish a few of the characters had been returned in following books - I like the precocious daughter especially, and her foil and co-hort, the grumpy gardener.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes, he was younger then., April 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tempest-Tost (Salterton Trilogy) (Paperback)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Astounding Feat, March 15, 2001

By 

Carra R Lane - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tempest-Tost (Salterton Trilogy) (Paperback)

Far from fluffy. Tilting at "The Tempest" as Davies does in this early novel is brave, or foolhardy, beyond measure. Extremely acute human beings are only occasionally profoundly generous. Do NOT forego the pleasure, even if you imagine you might balk at play within play. Davies came to novels by way of his love for theatre. Everything begins here, most remarkably his unique ability to write charming lively characters of both sexes, all ages, many orientations. In "Tempest-Tost", five or six rise to the level of presiding spirits. Plus the gnarled final effort of Shakespeare is tweaked/tickled/refreshed to a very nice renewal. Grand. Sharp without ever descending to mean. You can't meet Valentine Rich or the sisters Freddy & [Im]Patient Griselda (Gristle to Freddy) anywhere else. First in the Salterton. Read it.