Murther & Walking Spirits by Robertson Davies

Murther & Walking Spirits by Robertson Davies

The elder statesman of Canadian letters continues to explore the themes of sin, guilt, and self-discovery . . . A masterful effort.-Library Journal Connor Gilmartin's inauspicious, but much beloved, mortal life comes to an untimely end when he discovers his wife in bed with one of his more ludicrous associates, theater critic Randall Allard Going. Death becomes a bit complicated when Gilmartin's out-of-body experience stays an out-of-body experience. Enraged at being so unceremoniously cut down by his wife's lover, Gil vows revenge against the now panic-stricken Going. But first, Gil must spend his afterlife seated next to his killer at a film festival, where he views the exploits of his ancestors from the Revolutionary era to his parents' time, an experience that changes the way he views his life-and death. Mr. Davies is a tremendously enticing storyteller, whether his characters are cajoling in Welsh brogue or portaging a canoe through the northern wilderness, but it's possible to ask now and then just how such and such an incident fits in the master plan of the book. On most occasions, however, the author, as if sensing our restiveness, provides an answer.-The New York Times Davies's depiction of how the descendants of Samuel Gilmartin came to emigrate to British North America convincingly blends gritty humor-including a hilarious Welsh cursing contest-with sympathetic portrayals of his characters.-Kirkus Reviews The unexpected conceit devised by the author of the Deptford trilogy will surprise but likely not disappoint his fans.-Publishers Weekly

The elder statesman of Canadian letters continues to explore the themes of sin, guilt, and self-discovery . . . A masterful effort.-Library Journal Connor Gilmartin's inauspicious, but much beloved, mortal life comes to an untimely end when he discovers his wife in bed with one of his more ludicrous associates, theater critic Randall Allard Going. Death becomes a bit complicated when Gilmartin's out-of-body experience stays an out-of-body experience. Enraged at being so unceremoniously cut down by his wife's lover, Gil vows revenge against the now panic-stricken Going. But first, Gil must spend his afterlife seated next to his killer at a film festival, where he views the exploits of his ancestors from the Revolutionary era to his parents' time, an experience that changes the way he views his life-and death. Mr. Davies is a tremendously enticing storyteller, whether his characters are cajoling in Welsh brogue or portaging a canoe through the northern wilderness, but it's possible to ask now and then just how such and such an incident fits in the master plan of the book. On most occasions, however, the author, as if sensing our restiveness, provides an answer.-The New York Times Davies's depiction of how the descendants of Samuel Gilmartin came to emigrate to British North America convincingly blends gritty humor-including a hilarious Welsh cursing contest-with sympathetic portrayals of his characters.-Kirkus Reviews The unexpected conceit devised by the author of the Deptford trilogy will surprise but likely not disappoint his fans.-Publishers Weekly

Robertson Davies (1913 1995) was born and raised in Ontario, and was educated at a variety of schools, including Upper Canada College, Queen s University, and Balliol College, Oxford. He had three successive careers: as an actor with the Old Vic Company in England; as publisher of the Peterborough Examiner; and as university professor and first Master of Massey College at the University of Toronto, from which he retired in 1981 with the title of Master Emeritus.

He was one of Canada s most distinguished men of letters, with several volumes of plays and collections of essays, speeches, and belles lettres to his credit. As a novelist, he gained worldwide fame for his three trilogies: The Salterton Trilogy, The Deptford Trilogy, and The Cornish Trilogy, and for later novels Murther & Walking Spirits and The Cunning Man.

His career was marked by many honours: He was the first Canadian to be made an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, he was a Companion of the Order of Canada, and he received honorary degrees from twenty-six American, Canadian, and British universities.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780140168846
ISBN 10	0140168842
Title	Murther & Walking Spirits
Author	Robertson Davies
Condition	Unavailable
Binding type	Paperback
Publisher	Penguin Books Ltd
Year published	1992-12-10
Number of pages	352
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable