A friend has been nagging me to read this for ages, so I eventually borrowed it. A revelation! This book (or I should say this trilogy) interweaves art, music, religion, humanity, humour, philosophy, divination and numerous other themes into a rich and intelligent narrative that left me wanting more. All the characters are highly individual and quirky, and their conversations are what drive the story forward. I am in love with this book that has so many funny moments, deep themes and memorable quotes, and I am on the hunt for my own copy and copies of Davies' other work. Highly recommendable! ( )

Has nobody reviewed this yet or is it just so good that no words suffice? This is one of the very few books I've read that I would unhesitatingly recommend to other readers. It is so very funny in places and has an almost Inkheart ability to draw you into some scenes. I know the old boy can go off on one occasionally, Paracelsus for instance, but he has the marvellous ability of a know it all writer to go from one bit of showoffiness to another in a most charming and literate way.
It is such a shame that Davies is not up there with the more popular writers and it would be great to learn if his reputation is greater in Canada than it appears to be in the UK. ( )

we lost our greatest man of letters in the mid-90's. ( )

The World is divided into two sorts of people – those who have read Robertson Davies, and those who have not. It’s hard to believe that the latter outnumber the former, yet they know not what they are missing. Few books add meaning to life as the reading of his books do.

Perhaps not always the easiest of reads - Robertson Davies does assume a vocabulary significantly wider than the typical inner city New York urchin (which we are now told is down to 400 “words”, few of which you will find in any reputable dictionary) - and at least a smattering of knowledge of Psychology, Greek mythology, the Paranormal and Latin, yet beyond that he easily transports the reader into the realms of ivy-league academia and teases the mind with his plots weaving legends, psychology, physics, religion, humour and above all whimsical style that only someone often described by those that would and should know, from Jenny Agutter to Kingsley Amis, as the “greatest writer of the 20th century”, and, by JK Galbraith “as a kind of writer who makes you want to nag all your friends to read him”. All of his books are lyrically told, rich, densely layered yet warm, embracing an earthy realism with a profound sense of the spiritual, weaving the past seamlessly into the present and future.

Robertson’s words will remain in your sub-conscious and the “sense of the book” will subtly shape your outlook on the World, Exquisitely crafted, intricately plotted and beautifully written, with my favourite, “The Cornish Trilogy – of which What’s bred in the Bone forms a part ” being perhaps the best introduction to this Canadian literary colossus.

Using his own words, “If you don't hurry up and let life know what you want, life will damned soon show you what you'll get”. So get a jump on life, get to Exclusive’s and dive into any of his gems.

Francis Cornish is a larger than life, swash-buckling cavalier of a man who strode through life in giant swathes. He is a mysterious, eclectic, eccentric, millionaire spy, art lover and collector, forger and academic around whose life this trilogy is woven, who dies, leaving a fortune. Commencing, as so many of his works do in the wide-open spaces of the Canadian forests, it begins as a family saga, full of dark secrets and unexplained mysteries. Moving skilfully into thriller mode, it draws the reader into the dubious dealings in priceless paintings in war-torn and fractured Europe. Accompanied all the way by Francis’s guardian angels, who, perched on the readers shoulder, offer explanation, comment and understanding. ( )

Absolutely wonderful. I've read all Davies' books, I wish there were more! ( )