The Cunning Man

“Wise, humane and consistently entertaining…. Robertson Davies’s skill and curiosity are as agile as ever, and his store of incidental knowledge is a constant pleasure.” – The New York Times Book Review“Once the word is out that a new book has been glimpsed in the bookshops, Davies devotees know that they must buy it and read it. The sooner, the better.” – The Washington Post Book World“The sparkling history of [the] erudite and amusing Dr. Hullah, who knows the souls of his patients as well as he knows their bodies … never fails to enlighten and delight.” – The London Free Press“Davies is a good companion. Settling into The Cunning Man is like taking a comfortable chair opposite a favourite uncle who has seen and done everything.” – Maclean’s“Irresistible, unflaggingly vital. A wholehearted and sharp-minded celebration of the Great Theatre of Life.” – The Sunday Times (London)“A novel brimming with themes of music, poetry, beauty, philosophy, death and the deep recesses of the mind.” – The Observer (London)“An amazing coup. Davies has written a brilliant, never less than engaging work of fiction which is also a philosophical meditation on the business of living. I have not read anything so good in a very long time.” – Financial Times“Wonderfully funny, poignant and never less than totally engrossing.” – Publishers Weekly“Entertaining and intelligent…. Davies’s 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.” – Library Journal“Davies … deftly combines metaphysics, magic, and modern medicine to tell a contemporary story with ancient roots…. Ideas, aphorisms, and wit are as evident as Davies’s more teleological concerns, which all makes for a splendid romp as well as an absorbingly literate novel. Davies at his best.” – Kirkus Reviews