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The Cornish Trilogy (The Rebel Angels, What's Bred in the Bone, and, The Lyre of Orpheus): What's Bred in the Bone, The Rebel Angels, The Lyre of Orpheus [Paperback]

Robertson Davies (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Publication Date: 27 Jun 1991 | ISBN-10: 0140144463 | ISBN-13: 978-0140144468

One of Canadian author Robertson Davies’ most dazzling achievements, ‘The Cornish Trilogy’ explores the life and influence of eccentric art patron Francis Cornish and comprises ‘The Rebel Angels’, ‘What’s Bred in the Bone’ (shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1986) and ‘The Lyre of Orpheus’.

Woven around the pursuits of the energetic spirits and erudite scholars of the University of St John and the Holy Ghost, the trilogy lures the reader into a world of mysticism, historical allusion and gothic fantasy. It is densely plotted, highly entertaining and fuses themes of religion, love, art and music in a glorious celebration of humanism.

‘… the kind of writer who makes you want to nag your friends until they read him so that they share the pleasure’ Observer.

Product details

  • Paperback: 1152 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin (27 Jun 1991)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0140144463
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140144468
  • Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 4.4 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 246,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

Deliciously readable (New York Times)

One of the most remarkable achievements of contemporary fiction (Sunday Times)

Nourishes the brain while it beguiles the senses (Time)

A first-rate storyteller and a real moralist with a crackling sense of humour (Newsweek)

Davies combines elements of the fantastic with details of everyday life to show us a world in which the miraculous coexists with the mundane (New York Times) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Robertson Davies was born in Thamesville, Ontario, in 1913. A novelist, playwright, literary critic and essayist, he received numerous awards for his work. It is as a writer of fiction that Robertson Davies achieved international recognition, with such books as The Salterton Trilogy (Tempest-Tost, Leaven of Malice 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. Robertson Davies died in 1995. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
16 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Save the best till last 28 Jun 2002
By Keep it simple
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I discovered Rebel Angels;first part of the trilogy by chance. What an amazing piece of fate. It was truly marvellous. What's bred in the bone was nominated for the Booker and just got better. By the Lyre of Orpheus I was transfixed. The mixture of fact, myth & legend is unique.

These books are each terrific good reads. They made me change the way I looked on life in a genuine and deep way. They are erudite and complex with feelings that far transend the populist "feel good trashy", "Alchemist" type novels. I even quoted one at a family funeral.

Truly RB was a great writer but having read all his books for me the Cornish trilogy is his most poignant and touching. Yes, he did save the best till last.

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely in my Top 2 books ever 29 Feb 2000
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Francis Cornish is a mysterious millionaire spy, art-collector, forger and academic around whose life this trilogy is woven. Although the context of the novels is academic, it's a very funny, intrigue-filled and fascinating book. After putting down this trilogy (which was difficult, in spite of its bulk)I felt more informed and entertained than I would have thought possible. The characters are all beautifully drawn, almost Dickensian in their richness. I love it. Who's got my copy?
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars But is it art? 26 Mar 2004
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Davies's Cornish trilogy should be read by anyone with an interest in the philosophy of art -- questions of attribution, forgery and fakery, and authenticity pervade all three novels, which deal with literature, painting and music respectively. Art in general, and art objects in particular, take on a shadowy, slippery aspect in spite of the very palpable (and almost erotically desirable) qualities they have for Davies's characters. Aesthetic and spiritual experience are intertwined. But the style, while elevated, is never dry or preachy -- the characters are rounded and often delightfully vulgar and even the most intellectual threads of the story are brimming with life and humour.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars CORNISH TRILOGY
THE WORKS OF MR DAVIES ARE ALWAYS MORE THAN YOU CAN THINK OF, FULFILLING MY HIGHEST EXPECTATIONS. I HAVE TO READ THEM ALL.
Published 2 months ago by FRANCISCO CARDENAL
4.0 out of 5 stars Good price. Excellent delivery
Great price. Really good delivery. May still put some off due to the size of the trilogy. If cost were not prohibitive for me I would have bought the three novels separately but... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Momobugs
4.0 out of 5 stars the charm of quirkiness in Canada
These are very fun novels, set for the most part in Canada's obscure academic retreats. Becase of Maria, the half gypsy who may be a budding genius, Rebel Angels is perhaps the... Read more
Published 21 months ago by rob crawford
3.0 out of 5 stars Good as a whole
Robertson Davies' Cornish trilogy is good, in fact a kind of work of art. Its the second book (which I have already reviewed) which is the main attraction throughout. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Frank Bierbrauer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Robertson Davies' novels are all wise, witty and speckled with little nuggets of erudition that make you wonder at the breadth of the man's learning. Read more
Published 23 months ago by maggieloveshopey
5.0 out of 5 stars favourite #1 book of all time
I often refer to the Cornish Trilogies as 'joined up writing'. Yes Davies is an author, writer, novelist but it is at the top of sophisticated writing. Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2010 by lucy
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've ever read?
I don't know...this could be the best book I've ever read. And I read it as an adult so that's not nostalgia speaking. Read more
Published on 19 April 2010 by Acinom
5.0 out of 5 stars So glad I found it!
I read this because Christopher Brookmyre described RD as his favourite author. I was delighted to find a riveting book full of plot, intrigue, history, art with some magic thrown... Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2009 by Kelpie
4.0 out of 5 stars Rare gem
I bought this book by mistake, and what a stroke of luck that was. Davies is a magnificent writer: erudite, funny, interesting, great storyteller, and a master of beautiful... Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2008 by anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Undoubtably my favorite book
I read many books on an immensely diverse range of subjects, and up to a dozen books concurrently but the cornish trilogy travels by my side almost always and has been read and... Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2000
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