A Celtic Temperament: Robertson Davies as Diarist

Robertson Davies (1913%E2%80%931995), one of Canada's foremost authors, was also an actor, journalist, newspaper publisher, playwright, essayist, and devoted diarist. Surridge, one of Davies's three daughters, has transcribed and edited this collection of excerpts from his 1959%E2%80%931963 diaries in collaboration with Derry, Davies's close friend and editor at the Macmillan Company of Canada. This is the first publication of any material from Davies's diaries (he asked that they not be made public until 20 years after his death). These curated excerpts%E2%80%94from years when he was already a literary success, became Master of Massey College at the University of Toronto, and was planning to write Fifth Business%E2%80%94reveal Davies's "Celtic temperament," his own term for his highly changeable nature. He could be merciless in his critique of his colleagues and theatre performances. Davies's keen wit is irresistible; readers will particularly enjoy his observations of Tyrone Guthrie and his wife during a working holiday at their home in Northern Ireland, where Guthrie was to direct Davies's play Love and Libel. Davies's fans will be delighted by the new light this book sheds on a fascinating man of letters. Agent: Dean Cooke, Cooke Agency International. (Oct.)