The Cunning Man: Robertson Davies and the Art of Storytelling

Robertson Davies was a master storyteller, and his novel The Cunning Man is a prime example of his craft. The novel is a complex and multi-layered tale that explores themes of love, loss, betrayal, and redemption. Davies' prose is rich and evocative, and his characters are complex and well-developed. The Cunning Man is a must-read for any fan of literature.

The Cunning Man

by Robertson Davies

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	858 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	626 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Plot Summary

The Cunning Man tells the story of Jonathan Hullah, a young Canadian who travels to England to study at Oxford University. While there, he meets and falls in love with Ann Meredith, a beautiful and intelligent woman. However, their love is not to be, and Ann eventually marries another man. Heartbroken, Jonathan returns to Canada, where he becomes a successful writer.

Years later, Jonathan is contacted by Ann, who tells him that she has a secret to tell him. She reveals that she is the daughter of the Cunning Man, a mysterious figure who has been haunting Jonathan's life for years. The Cunning Man is a powerful and dangerous man, and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Jonathan and Ann must work together to defeat the Cunning Man and save themselves. The novel is a thrilling and suspenseful tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Characters

The Cunning Man is a complex and well-developed novel, with a cast of characters that are equally complex and well-developed. The main characters in the novel are:

• Jonathan Hullah: The protagonist of the novel, Jonathan is a young Canadian who travels to England to study at Oxford University. He is a brilliant and ambitious young man, but he is also haunted by the memory of his lost love, Ann Meredith.
• Ann Meredith: The love of Jonathan's life, Ann is a beautiful and intelligent woman. She is the daughter of the Cunning Man, and she is torn between her love for Jonathan and her loyalty to her father.
• The Cunning Man: A mysterious and dangerous figure, the Cunning Man is Ann's father. He is a powerful and ruthless man, and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Themes

The Cunning Man explores a number of complex themes, including:

• Love and loss: The novel explores the power of love and the pain of loss. Jonathan and Ann's love is a powerful and passionate one, but it is also doomed from the start. The novel also explores the loss of other things, such as innocence and hope.
• Betrayal: The novel explores the theme of betrayal in a number of ways. Jonathan is betrayed by Ann when she marries another man. The Cunning Man betrays Ann by keeping her true parentage a secret. And the novel itself is full of betrayals, both large and small.
• Redemption: The novel also explores the theme of redemption. Jonathan must redeem himself for his past mistakes, and Ann must redeem herself for her father's sins. The novel offers a glimmer of hope that even the most flawed characters can find redemption.

Style

Robertson Davies' writing style is rich and evocative. He uses vivid imagery and evocative language to create a world that is both believable and magical. The novel is full of memorable characters and quotable passages. Davies' style is often compared to that of Charles Dickens, and he is considered one of the greatest Canadian writers of the 20th century.

The Cunning Man is a must-read for any fan of literature. It is a complex and multi-layered novel that explores important themes such as love, loss, betrayal, and redemption. Davies' prose is rich and evocative, and his characters are complex and well-developed. The Cunning Man is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish it.

The Cunning Man

by Robertson Davies

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	858 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	626 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE