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Happy Alchemy
Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre | Robertson Davies
13 posts | 4 read | 2 to read
One of Canada's--and the world's--most beloved authors, Robertson Davies was also a devoted fan of opera and the theater. In this follow-up to his first posthumous collection, A Merry Heart, Davies ruminates on these lifelong passions, offering a diverse sampling of personal reflections on everything from the ancient Greeks to Lewis Carroll, Scottish folklore to Laurence Olivier, the sins of Verdi to the virtues of melodrama. The combined effect of these thirty-three essays, lectures, plays, and librettos-- edited by his widow and daughter--is true alchemy, as "readers . . . come away with a renewed appreciation of the ease with which Davies routinely transformed his sometimes erudite passions into delightful entertainments" (The New York Times Book Review).
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xicanti
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Pickpick

Robertson Davies and I don‘t always—often?—agree. When it comes to the theatre and music, he displays a strong preference for skilled repetition over innovation, and my response to his ideas runs the gamut from, “Hey, that‘s a great point,” to, “Wow, that‘s so offensive I don‘t even know where to start.”

Still, he‘s an interesting person who knows a lot about a lot, and I value his willingness to treat seriously what others might view as trashy.

Ncostell I love Robertson Davies‘ fiction but haven‘t read any of his non-fiction. I‘ll have to check it out. 5y
xicanti @Ncostell he published a few essay collections throughout his lifetime, I believe. This one came out posthumously, and it was interesting to see how many of the lectures were delivered mere months before he died. He kept going right up to the end! 5y
33 likes2 comments
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xicanti
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Nightcap time! The monsoon quit early yesterday afternoon and hasn‘t properly started up again, thank goodness, but it DID drizzle most of today and it‘s pretty cold now. I figured I‘d treat myself to a Bailey‘s & coffee along with my daily dose of Robertson Davies.

MemoirsForMe Oh my! Stay safe! 5y
43 likes1 comment
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xicanti
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Coffee + opera criticism.

I‘m hoping Robertson Davies and caffeine conspire to cheer me up. I dropped my fountain pen late last night, from a height of maybe three inches, and now the nib‘s bent out of alignment. The pen‘s a Waterman Carene I miraculously thrifted for $2, so it‘s irreplaceable and I suspect repairing it will be outside my budget. Cue a broken heart.

42 likes1 stack add
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xicanti
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Green tea and decades-old theatre criticism on this cold, rainy night. I also hope to finish my audiobook (and maybe the sock I‘m knitting) and make some progress with FREEDOM & NECESSITY.

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xicanti
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Breakfast with Robertson Davies. I made a big ‘un because I woke up hungry, but it barely even touched the sides. I might need a waffle for dessert.

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xicanti
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#friyayintro time!

1. My current nonfiction pick.

2. I was supposed to hang out with my Minnesotan family, but they had to cancel their trip. 😔 Now I dunno what I‘ll do. Maybe I‘ll try to read a book a day.

3. Peanut butter cup!

4. Sorta. I reteach myself guitar every couple years, I‘m pretty good on the recorder (which can Do Stuff, no matter what your elementary school music class taught you), and I‘m learning harmonica.

5. On it.

cobwebmoth Sorry that your plans got cancelled. I hope you have a nice weekend anyway.❤ 5y
xicanti @cobwebmoth thanks! It should still be pretty good. 5y
37 likes2 comments
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xicanti
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I‘ve been ignoring HAPPY ALCHEMY for weeks because I hit a long essay. Gotta leap over that hurdle tonight.

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Aimeesue
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1. Reading. Visiting a friend at Arlington National Cemetery. Then weeping.
2. I've had a great week; lots of things came together as they were supposed to, and I found out someone had been complimenting me behind my back. ❤️
3. Washington, D.C. Allll the Smithsonians!
4. Gorilla and I'd have her teach me sign language.
5. 87° and sunny.
#friyayintro @jesshowbooks

5. 87° and sunny. ☀️
#friyayintro @jesshowbooks

britt_brooke #1 breaks my heart (hugs) 7y
10 likes1 comment
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DrJAdMerricksson
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I reached 200+ reviews on Netgalley!! Woo!

AmyG Wow 7y
31 likes1 comment
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Zezzel
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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

A diverting collection of essays and lectures on music and theatre, and even a libretto! Makes a very good bedside book for those who enjoy Davies' novels or for those who like the theatre.

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rabbitprincess
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#bookanddessert

BF: You can have a cinnamon bun if you want!
Me: What do you mean, if?! MINE
Robertson Davies: trying to steal dessert for himself 😜

LeahBergen 😂😂 His hand! 8y
rabbitprincess @LeahBergen He seems to be making a cinnamon-bun-sized shape and saying "Yes, that's the perfect size, thank you!" 8y
23 likes2 comments