High Spirits by Robertson Daviesreviews continued...
"The Refuge of Insulted Saints"
Who is out revelling on All Hallows Eve? Where do the saints go once they are no longer saints? Why, Massey College of course.
"Dickens Digested"
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity - in short, it was the beginning of the autumn term, and the year was 1969. It seems that there are always students who get absorbed by studying Dickens, and Dickens books stay alive. This story offers a creepy theory.
"The Kiss of Khrushchev"
Part evil-eye curse, part frog-prince, Davies takes the well known and flips them around. I am enjoying his reluctant acceptance of his role in dealing with the spirits that visit Massey College. Sort of a "Oh, great! Here we go again," attitude as another specter appears.
He keeps the tone light, with amusing situations, and then Bam! the creepy part of the ghost story appears and surprises me. I am understanding the appeal of Davies, and will have to add a novel by him to my TBR.
I just recently finished reading and reviewed his book A Mixture of Frailties, my review is up on my blog if you are interested. http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2008/09/mixture-of-frailties-by-robertson.html
ReplyDeleteI really liked it! First thing I've ever read by him.
alea - thanks for the title. It looks really good.
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