The Cunning Man, Robertson Davies
The Cunning Man, Robertson Davies
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The Cunning Man

Author: Robertson Davies

Narrator: Frederick Davidson

Unabridged: 15 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/02/2016

Categories: Fiction

Synopsis

From an early age, Jonathan Hullah developed "a high degree of cunning" in concealing what his true nature might be. He kept himself on the outside, watching and noticing, most often in the company of those who bore watching.As the Cunning Man takes us through his own long and ardent life, chronicling his varied adventures in the worlds of theatre, art, and music, in the Canadian Army during World War II, and in the doctor's consulting room, his preoccupation is not with sorrow but with the comedic canvas of life.Just as Dr. Hullah practices a type of psychosomatic medicine "by which I attempt to bring about changes in the disease syndromes through language," so does Robertson Davies intertwine language and story, as perhaps never before, to offer us profound truths about being human.

About Robertson Davies

Robertson Davies (1913–1995) was an internationally acclaimed author, actor, publisher, and, finally, professor at the University of Toronto. The author of twelve novels and several volumes of essays and plays, he was the first Canadian to be inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

About Frederick Davidson

David Case (a.k.a. Frederick Davidson) (1932–2005) was born in London and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He performed in BBC radio plays before coming to America in 1976. The narrator of more than eight hundred audiobooks, he garnered numerous Earphones Awards and a Grammy nomination for his readings. He was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine in 1997.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Paul on July 28, 2016

I'd read a number of Robertson Davies' novels before this one, but The Cunning Man is by far my favorite - a magical feat of storytelling told by a narrator who is looking back on a fully lived life. Mr. Davies provides his own review of his novel with the last paragraphs of the book: "The telephone r......more

Goodreads review by Bob on October 31, 2012

The "Cunning Man" is the narrator of this novel, physician Jon Hullah. The title comes from the idea of every village having either a Wise Woman or a Cunning Man--someone with insights into the nature of things who sometimes brings healing or at least perspective. The book spans the seventy years of......more

Goodreads review by Mona on September 25, 2019

4.5. Not quite a 5 but close. Love Robertson Davies. May write a longer review later.......more

Goodreads review by Mary Ronan on December 29, 2011

"Should I have taken the false teeth?" Not a bad opening sentence for a novel in which all the action is precipitated by the death at the altar on Good Friday of a beloved priest in Toronto's high church Anglican parish of St Aidan's. The narrator, the cunning man of the title, Dr Hullah, has been a......more

Goodreads review by Sheri-lee on September 06, 2013

I think I 'really liked' this book more at the beginning. The last quarter is more in the 'like' category. But Davies is still an interesting and engaging read. In discussion with a fellow Davies-enjoyer, the idea of why people enjoy him so much was discussed. It was argued that his writing was alwa......more

Quotes

“Admirers of the late actor James Mason will delight in the narrative gifts of Frederick Davidson, who also projects a delicious irony in the instrument of his voice. And what better material to give expression to that talent than Robertson Davies', Canada's most prodigious ironist…Davidson's reading never flags. He remains buoyant and wry throughout, a witty companion to have on a long journey.” AudioFile

“A delight.”
Boston Sunday Globe

“A novel in which Davies’ clear-sighted humanism, irony, and grasp of character are on vivid display…Davies’ command of both his material and his elegant first-person narration is absolute. He achieves a remarkable sense of uncloying elegy in his vision of a group of people who are far more complicated than they appear, yet always utterly believable. To call a book the work of an infinitely civilized mind might seem starchy; to add that it is also wonderfully funny, poignant, and never less than totally engrossing should redress the balance.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“It is always a pleasure to read works that manage to be both entertaining and intelligent…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' characterizations are rich (and just a bit quirky) and his commentary filled with humor. One of those rare novels that can be wholeheartedly recommended for libraries of every type and size, including high schools.” Library Journal

“Popular Canadian author Davies has written a sort of metaphysical mystery story…compelling.”
Booklist

“Davies deftly combines metaphysics, magic, and modern medicine to tell a contemporary story with ancient roots…Set in that urbane part of Toronto where art, academe, and old money comfortably mingle, the novel also explores familiar Davies themes of friendship, faith, and art…A splendid intellectual romp as well as an absorbingly literate novel. Davies at his best.” Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • Modern Library's 100 Best English-Language Novels of the Twentieth Century
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