Erik's Reviews > What's Bred in the Bone

The story of a man's life as told by the Recording Angel and the daimon who were put in charge of shaping his life and his character. An interesting plot device that Robertson Davies used to full effect. The daimon believes that adversity is what makes us who we are and has no problem confronting the protagonist with one character building episode after another. The Recording Angel provides him with the occasional and necessary relief that we all need to carry on.

This book had me hooked early on. The author describes a minor character as "untroubled by intelligence". Such a classic Robertson Davies put-down.

Written in the mid eighties, there are some interesting ideas being explored here for that time. The main character's childhood desire to explore both his male and female sides, a concept that appears repeatedly throughout the book. His parents' open marriage, the value of money and its effect on relationships. The difficulty of relationships in general. Many fascinating topics are explored at length. My one criticism is that it might have been a shade long-winded. I felt that things could've been wrapped up at least 50 pages earlier, but I often think that about books.

Davies had a fascinating career. First, as a stage actor, then as a journalist and a publisher and a lecturer. Finally, and most important of all, as a novelist. He seemed to go from one strength to another and the main character in this novel can't help but remind me of him.

A four star read.