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Quote by Robertson Davies

“Many authors write like amateur blacksmiths making their first horseshoe; the clank of the anvil, the stench of the scorched leather apron, the sparks and the cursing are palpable, and this appeals to those who rank "sincerity" very high. Nabokov is more like a master swordsmith making a fine blade; nothing is amiss, nothing is too much, there is no fuss, and the finished product must be handled with great care, or it will cut you badly.”

Quote by Robertson Davies

Author

Robertson Davies

Robertson Davies was a Canadian novelist known for his wit and humor. His works often set in the Canadian society, exploring the relationship between individuals and society. Davies' works include the 'Amos Fortune' series and the 'Crown of the North' series, which are highly appreciated by readers. more

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“It used to be fashionable for authors to have their pictures taken with dogs, but the dogs always looked like models hired from an advertising agency, and probably were.”

Used Taken Dog Models Advertising Used To Be Agency Fashionable Advertising Agencies Picture Taken

Author:Robertson Davies

“The reclusive man who marries the gregarious woman, the timid woman who marries the courageous man, the idealist who marries the realist we can all see these unions: the marriages in which tenderness meets loyalty, where generosity sweetens moroseness, where a sense of beauty eases some aridity of the spirit, are not so easy for outsiders to recognize; the parties themselves may not be fully aware of such elements in a good match.”

Men May Spirit Easy Party Elements Unions Loyalty Generosity Ease Courageous Tenderness Outsiders Realist Idealist Gregarious Courageous Man

Author:Robertson Davies

“Sometimes there was a serious article on a hot topic, and I especially remember one by a bishop headed "Is Nudity Salacious?" The bishop thought it need not be, if encountered in the proper spirit, but he gave a lot of enlightening examples of conditions under which it might be, in his word, "inflammatory." There wasn't much nudity in our neck of the woods, and I enjoyed that article tremendously.”

Source: The Merry Heart: Reflections on Reading, Writing, and the World of Books

“It is lost, lovely child, somewhere in the ragbag that I laughingly refer to as my memory.”

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Book:Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre

Source: Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre

“Speakers' nerves affect them in various ways. Some tremble, some become frenzied. I lose all confidence, and suffer from a leaden oppression that makes me wonder why I ever agreed to speak at all; the Tomb and the Conqueror Worm seem preferable to delivering the stupid and piffling speech I have so carefully prepared.”

Way Seems Suffering Speak Loses Wonder Stupid Speech Prepared Various Oppression Nerves Speakers Worms Tombs Conqueror Delivering

Book:Selected works on the art of writing

Source: Selected works on the art of writing

“Several children present me with scraps of paper for autographs: obviously don't know who I am and don't care. I sign "Jackie Collins" and they go away quite content.”

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Book:Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre

Source: Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre

“Like it or not, to reach middle age with less money or less prestige than our father had is somewhat to lose face. Stupid of course, when put like that, but who is prepared to argue that we are not stupid in several important ways?”

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Author:Robertson Davies

“Great drama, drama that may reach the alchemical level, must have dimension and its relevance will take care of itself. Writing about AIDS rather than the cocktail set, or possibly the fairy kingdom, will not guarantee importance. . . . The old comment that all periods of time are at an equal distance from eternity says much, and pondering on it will lead to alchemical theatre while relevance becomes old hat.”

Source: Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre

“You would not serve junk food at a banquet, and your book must be a banquet. Get your language from Swift, not from Shopsy's.”

Book Language Junk Junk Food Banquets

Author:Robertson Davies

“In my collection, to me at least, the theatre of the past lives again and those long-dead playwrights and actors have in me an enthralled audience of one, and I applaud them across the centuries.”

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Book:Selected Works on the Pleasures of Reading

Source: Selected Works on the Pleasures of Reading