World of Wonders: The Deptford Trilogy, Book 3

It has become clear to me that Robertson Davies likes a frame for his narratives. In this case, it is the down-time at a movie set starring Magnus Eisengrim/Paul Dempster, as the star tells the story of his life. His listeners include a few of the movie bigwigs (director and so forth) and two characters from the previous installments of Davies' Deptford Trilogy, Dunstan Ramsey and Liesl Vitzlipützli.Two of his listeners join in the telling for extended spells, being supporting characters themselves in his story, which is ghastly at times, even without indulging in the more lurid details of the sexual abuse he experiences as a taken child. Due to the dramatic nature of the story-teller, one wonders whether he is a reliable narrator. Even though his two co-narrators confirm at least the events that overlap, Davies makes sure the reader has to wrestle with that postmodern sine qua non of using various perspectives to undermine "truth."Like so many other novels, this one is about the creation of story and the hopeless search for truth. In this case, Dunstan Ramsey's search for one particular truth, which begins in Fifth Business, doesn't quite fit in Eisengrim's narrative. And that only serves Davies' larger purpose. But the book is so well done. It is well-written and engrossing. And it is a marked step up from the middle book of the trilogy, if not quite up to the level of the opener.

So happy to find the Kindle versions of many of Robertson Davies books. Second read was just as enjoyable as the first. Entertaining and realistic about how people rise above a bad start to evolve. Different world views represented.

This is the third of a trilogy and Davies is a great story teller. There are parts of this book and the others that are a bit of a slog but Davies seems always to save the good parts for the last couple of pages.

I am a new convert to Robinson Davies writings. His style and talent are . . . in just a few words . . . unique and fabulous! ENJOY!!

i am reminded that literature is not dead. that i can be surprised and charmed and offered a new look at things. this is my first time reading mr. Davies and i will continue to do so.

This trilogy is a must read! Fantastic story and well developed characters. It doesn't matter that it is set several decades in the past, anyone can relate to characters and their troubles.

Very disappointing. Having read many of his other work. This started out interesting but went nowhere and took too long to get there!

If you have not read Davies - you are truly missing out - get into him and read all of his novels!

Robertson Davies is the best. Richly layered and makes you stop and appreciate his evident enjoyment of many subjects. He leads you through a maze and triumphantly dances a wild tarantella at the end. Reading through the trilogies I love the point of realisation at the conclusion when the seemingly throw away moment mentioned somewhere in the depths proves to be the nugget of gold. Reading his books are like eating the best chocolate after a lifetime of consuming cheap milk tray.

The last part of a wonderful trilogy with great characters and a lovely satiric reflection of Canadian life in the first 2/3 of the 20th Century. It does have some unnecessary lengths, so reading it is not a continuous joy and I would not recommend it if you have not read the first two parts of the trilogy but it is still good enough to deserve 4 stars.