Reviews

A Mixture of Frailties by Robertson Davies

mattgroot1980's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

pharmdad2007's review against another edition

5.0

The end of the Salterton Trilogy was fantastic. The character of Monica was adorable, and her 'studies' abroad were highly entertaining. Highly recommend.

kisaly's review against another edition

4.0

A surprisingly nuanced roller-coaster and yet still a good summer read. (Internal monologue: Why on earth would she do that? Oh, I philosophically understand why after further character development!)

karenchase's review against another edition

5.0

In this weird time in our human history, Davies is like a balm to my soul. His writing is insightful and witty, warmly crisp and engaging, and hits all the emotional marks, celebrating the passions, fears, and silliness of humankind. In this, the conclusion to the Salterton Trilogy, the story of Solomon Bridgetower and Pearl Vambrace, which began in such an unlikely fashion in the previous volume, is tied up neatly, as they endure the vengeance of Mrs. Bridgetower, exacted upon them from her grave. In crafting her legacy thus, the story of Monica Gall, an indifferent girl who happens to be a singer of some talent, begins. Monica becomes the heiress of a complicated trust designed by Mrs. Bridgetower, which allows--indeed, demands--that she go off to Europe to pursue music as a career, a path which would never have occurred to her in the natural course of her life. But, she travels to London (as my own daughter has done, at Monica's age!), falls in with a varied and, at times, motley crew of musical teachers, and finds herself working toward a success she's not quite sure she deserves. She is filled with Canadian humility and propelled by the passions that consume young women, and her trajectory is informed by both of those qualities. When the story winds down, all injustices appear to be set to right, and Monica is faced with a choice that could change her life forever (again). So excellently written is this tale that I don't even care that the reader doesn't get to know what her decision is, because I get to imagine it.

ohjilla's review

I liked this trilogy, but I wish I'd read it before the Deptford Trilogy which was outstanding. 

alice_horoshev's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

minsies's review against another edition

2.0

(Dug review out of the depths of LiveJournal.)

It is very unfortunate that all of Monica's work and talents get boiled down to a question of marriage. A very bad end to the trilogy.

Still:

All these people in these islands. They're all so self-satisfied. You have to hate them, or you have to pull yourself up even with them. I know all about it. When I'm at home I'm not terrifically American, but over here I have to act a part, or disappear.

---

One's personal beliefs are peripheral, really, if one is an interpreter of other men's work; Bach was devout, but it is far more important for me to understand the quality of his devotion than to share it.

simonerauscher's review

3.0

Wonderful writing, really interesting characters who feel vivid and deep. Dragged a little too long in spots but was punctuated with great scenes and well crafted moments throughout. Some of the story arcs felt a little unfinished to me, some character reactions were unnatural and flat at times, and the ending was a bit too loose for me, but overall a good read.