Rating: 
Summary: The best book I had never heard of
Review: Fifth Business, the first installment of the Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy, is without doubt the best novel that I had never heard of. Davies prose and narrative voice rival Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited in elegance, humor, and style. And his characters and plot development, so rich, absorbing, and at once triumphant and tragic, put this fine novel in the same class as Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The term 'Fifth Business', as Davies describes, refers to the role in an opera, usually played by a man, which has no opposite of the other sex. While only a supporting character, he is essential to the plot, for he often knows the secret of the hero's birth, or comes to the assistance of the heroine when all seems lost, or may even be the cause of someone's death. In this novel, Dunstan Ramsay plays this role, and he is in maginificent form. Though he narrates the novel, and is intimately entwined in the lives of all its characters, he somehow manages to remain slightly in the background as a passive observer of others. It is through his eyes that we witness the rise of Boy Staunton, his childhood friend from the small Canadian town of Deptford. While Dunny goes off to the war where he is seriously wounded, and later becomes a boarding school master and expert on the history of saints, Boy makes his fortune in the sugar business and eventually pursues a career in politics. Dunny, whose soft-spoken charm, honesty, and self-reflection become clear through his narration, serves as an admirable foil to Boy, whose drive and ambition are unrestrained by a sense of morality, duty, or altruism. But the novel is far more complex than a simple study of two contrasting characters. Davies' cast is rich and diverse, and their lives intertwine fluidly, though often in surprising ways. There is Mrs. Dempster, who in the opening pages is struck by a snowball thrown by Boy and intended for Dunny, and is rendered "simple" after the subsequent premature birth of her son Paul. Paul runs away from home at a young age, but reappears later in the novel in a key role. And Liesl, the magician's manager, a strong-willed and sexually aggressive woman, hardened by life but wise in the ways of the world, proves to be an admirable rival for Dunny as astute observer of others. Narrated in the form of a letter to Dunny's headmaster, the novel maintains a strong sense of plain honesty throughout. It is a remarkable novel, and a shock that Davies has remained relatively obscure in this country.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: Having read everything Davies has written, I just finished re-reading Fifth Business (the first of his I had read). I'm obviously a Davies enthusiast, and this is Davies at his best. The characters are wonderful, and the plot hooked me both times I read it. Choosing to tell the story from the point of view of a character who is neither hero nor villain (evidently "fifth business" refers to a character who is necessary to move the plot along, but not one of the main characters) is interesting. The actual heroes and villains are a colourful bunch, but might actually be TOO colourful to make a good focal point for the telling of the story (I recall not liking World of Wonders quite as well as the other two books in the Deptford trilogy for that reason). Presented this way, the characters are flamboyant and juicy enough to be interesting, but don't overwhelm the story. A friend of mine complains that in Davies' books his voice comes through too strongly (as opposed to his characters voices). I kind of know what he means, but that doesn't diminish my enjoyment in reading Davies' books one bit (interesting, since Davies' passions and apparent world view aren't mine). If Davies' voice does loom in the background, it doesn't interfere with the telling of a good yarn. Besides, having read his biography, and non-fiction writing as well, it is really an interesting voice.
Rating: 
Summary: What do you see in it? Please tell me it gets better!
Review: I am half-way through the second part of this novel and do not see what everyone else sees in this novel. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, interested in it. I will give Davies credit for the use of language. It really sets a specific tone for the novel. I hope that by the time I finish reading it, I will feel the same as the rest of you do about it. This, however, is just my personal opinion!
Rating:
Summary: The Finest
Review: I first read Fifth Business as a course requirement in college 25 years ago. To this day, that very same copy sits on my bookshelf, dog-eared and well worn. This is truely one of the finest books I have ever read and I recommend it most whole-heartedly. Robertson Davies was short-listed for the Nobel Prize in 1986 and when you read Fifth Business I'm sure you will understand why.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I ever read!
Review: I found it one of his best books and feel ever one should read it
Rating: 
Summary: A fantastic novel that grips the intellectual mind
Review: I found this book amazing once i got into it. Davies has a fabulous use of words and you are pulled into the life of Dunstan Ramsey as he journey's to adulthood. Definitly one of the most interesting coming of age novels ever written by a canadian author.
Rating:
Summary: An enchanting saga told in great story telling tradition
Review: I had never heard of Robertson Davies until I discovered "Fifth Business", the first instalment of the "Deptford Trilogy", from a recommended book list and what a great reading experience it turned out to be. Davies writes in a style highly reminiscent of the great late 19th and early 20th century writers. Strongly narrative, the novel is richly multilayered in its exploration of ideas and themes. At its most basic level, it is the story of the sensitive but oddly passive Dunstan Ramsey, the novel's protaganist, whose life is contrasted with his pragmatic and successful friend, Boy Staunton and his women (including Leola, his wife who turns out not to be made of the same stuff as Boy). Whilst Dunstan seems content to live life as a school master, observing rather than participating, Boy makes waves and becomes a hugely successful figure in business and politics. But more fascinating is the early traces of "magical realism" used by Davies in the Mary Dempster (the "fool-saint") episode, which manifests the nature of Dunstan's conscience (contrasting with the lack thereof in Boy) as well as his belief in the power of magic and imagination. In the development of this secondary plot line, Davies employs a technique that hints at "magical realism" but wields his craft with such confidence and aplomb that the effect can only be described as dazzling. Dunstan's feeling of responsibility towards Mary and her son Paul is brought to a beautiful conclusion when he learns much later after Paul runs away from home and assumes the identity of a magician that it was he (Dunstan) who had taught him (Paul) the rudiments of magic through the card game. The shock ending for Boy smacks of poetic justice, leaving the question metaphysically open ended. Boy may be the protaganist on the world's stage and Dunstan only "fifth business", but who's ultimately the more valuable human being ? Davies has written a brilliant and enchanting novel. For sure I'll be checking out the next two instalments of his trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: An enchanting saga told in great story telling tradition
Review: I had never heard of Robertson Davies until I discovered "Fifth Business", the first instalment of the "Deptford Trilogy", from a recommended book list and what a great reading experience it turned out to be. Davies writes in a style highly reminiscent of the great late 19th and early 20th century writers. Strongly narrative, the novel is richly multilayered in its exploration of ideas and themes. At its most basic level, it is the story of the sensitive but oddly passive Dunstan Ramsey, the novel's protaganist, whose life is contrasted with his pragmatic and successful friend, Boy Staunton and his women (including Leola, his wife who turns out not to be made of the same stuff as Boy). Whilst Dunstan seems content to live life as a school master, observing rather than participating, Boy makes waves and becomes a hugely successful figure in business and politics. But more fascinating is the early traces of "magical realism" used by Davies in the Mary Dempster (the "fool-saint") episode, which manifests the nature of Dunstan's conscience (contrasting with the lack thereof in Boy) as well as his belief in the power of magic and imagination. In the development of this secondary plot line, Davies employs a technique that hints at "magical realism" but wields his craft with such confidence and aplomb that the effect can only be described as dazzling. Dunstan's feeling of responsibility towards Mary and her son Paul is brought to a beautiful conclusion when he learns much later after Paul runs away from home and assumes the identity of a magician that it was he (Dunstan) who had taught him (Paul) the rudiments of magic through the card game. The shock ending for Boy smacks of poetic justice, leaving the question metaphysically open ended. Boy may be the protaganist on the world's stage and Dunstan only "fifth business", but who's ultimately the more valuable human being ? Davies has written a brilliant and enchanting novel. For sure I'll be checking out the next two instalments of his trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: A good novel.
Review: I read Fifth Business because John Irving mentions it in A Prayer for Owen Meany. I am thoroughly impressesed. Fifth Business incorporates politics and history with great character development. If you plan to read A Prayer for Owen Meany, read Fifth Business first. I liked Fifth Business better than Owen Meany. In addition, by reading Fifth Business, you will understand Owen Meany better.
Rating:
Summary: simply amazing
Review: I read this book for my Eng ISU, and it was remarkable. It is simply brilliantly written and easily understandable. Although the book has an indepth theme, the author is able to write to accomodate various stances of understanding. It usually takes me weeks to read ISU books because they are often very boring. This book i read it two nights. It was simply remarkable.
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