Rating: 
Summary: Decent Canadian fiction
Review: This is a very typical Canadian novel, set in the first half of the 20th century. The protagonist, Dunstan Ramsay, is born in a small Ontario town where he experiences the sort of the village politics that have since become a thing of the past (the social differences between different Christian denominations dominates the scene).Dunstan undergoes several major turning points in his life. The first and probably most important is World War 1 (1914-1918), an event that was definitive in the formation of Canadian identity. Dunstan then becomes a teacher and leads a rather uneventful life. Some of themes explored in the book are spirituality vs. materialism, psychology and religion. The first theme is evident in the interaction between Dunstan and his lifelong friend, Boy Staunton. Boy is a successful businessman who succeeds at everything he tries but has little time or inclination for spiritual matters. Dunstan, meanwhile, teaches at a high school his whole life and writes books about saints. Dunstan finds intellectual stimulation and meaning in the inner life. Psychology is explored using Jungian symbolism (Carl Justav Jung 1875-1961, Swiss-German psychologist) and Sigmund Freud's ideas, (1856-1939, Austrian, founder of psychology). Their ideas about the unconscious, both individual and collective, are seen throughout the book. The preoccupation of with psychology of religion in the book is very telling of the late 20th century. The characters are more concerned with their emotions, "mental health" and the like rather than whether finding out if beliefs are true. The depiction of agnostics/atheists in the novel is very realistic; the characters mumble something about reason or rationality and then proceed to ridicule the believer. Granted this sort of behavior is limited to those people who believe atheism because it is fashionable and thought to be intellectual, it is still well done. Another major theme is that of religion and magic; are they the same? Do the differences really matter? One of Dunstan's favorite sayings is that the Bible and Arabian Nights are very similar; this is not explained though. I got the impression that Davies is saying that both of them are simply amusing, meaningful stories with no objective basis or that the value of both of them is in their psychological truths. Paul Dempster, whose premature birth is caused by Dunstan and Boy, renames himself Magnus Eisengrim and becomes a magician of international renown. Overall, I found the novel interesting although its approach to matters of religion is tiresome. After all, if one's beliefs are false then it does not matter how useful or satisfying you find them, for they are nothing but a fiction. The struggle for identity in the novel is very Canadian, for we are always trying to define ourselves other than to say, "We're not Americans."
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.
Rating:
Summary: The first one-ninth of a marvellous trilogy of trilogies
Review: In classical dramatic theory (Davies started out as an actor), there are four principal roles: Hero, Heroine, Confidante (the Hero's sidekick), and Villain (who tries to separate the Hero and Heroine). But something more is needed: The supporting players who serve as catalysts in the actions of the major roles, and that composite role is known as "Fifth Business." Dunstable Ramsey is the lifelong catalyst between Percy Boyd Staunton and his inept wife, Leola Cruikshank, and also between the tragic Mrs. Dempster and her son, Paul. All are originally residents of the small rural Ontario community of Deptford, but the rational and decent Ramsey (who changes his first name to "Dunstan"), and the money-driven but also usually decent Percy (who changes his name to "Boy"), and the success-driven but also eventually decent Paul (who changes his name to "Magnus") rise greatly in the world, though in very different ways. There are any number of parallel themes, but the major one involves Ramsey's search for the supernatural in a merely real world. Davies is a master of in-depth characterization and also exhibits a delightfully droll sense of humor, both of which together will hold your attention to the last page. Happily, this is only the first volume of a terrific trilogy!
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: An amazing book!
Review: Let me start off by saying that I am a totally devoted Robertson Davies fan, and one who regrets very much not having had the opportunity to write him and tell him how much I enjoy his books. I think that Fifth Business is one of his better books--I share his admiration for Mrs. Dempster, and I think that Davies has put together a really fine job of telling a story that is a fine parable for how complex that life can be! The book also has some wonderful moments of humor, albeit dry humor but of the first order. I heartily recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: tremendous depth and breadth
Review: This is one terrific book (and only the first of the trilogy). Unlike the reviewer below who advised to read it in small segments, I couldn't put it down and read it in two sittings. From the riveting beginning when a snowball (spiked by a rock) hits Mrs. Dempster, the plot branches out to cover many interesting characters in the small town of Deptford in Canada. As you get to know the strange childhoods of Paul Dempster (born prematurely thanks to the snowball's strike on his mother), the local rich kid and a myriad of others, all seen through the eyes of our narrator Dunsten Ramsey, you'll find yourself hooked. The trilogy is structured around one basic question: Who killed Boy Staunton. You'll be amazed to find out how you could be riveted for the entire 800+pages of the trilogy as layers upon layers give way to the answer. Davies is a great writer and this book is an amazing yarn spun over this page turning trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for teenagers and adults!
Review: Fifth Business, one of school books that I got to read in my high school. From the cover of looking, I thought it is a boring book because it looks boring. When I start this book, it seemed to me it's boring. I did not like it part of because English is not my first language. Later, after I tried to put myself harder in this book.... Hmm.... I love it!! I love it a lot is not because my teacher forced me to read, i like it it's because things happened in this book can affect our life, too. I will toward to enjoy this book and re-read again when I have free time. It is impossible for me to forget this book after I grow older because I will try to use some examples from this book to my future children and let my friends interested this book, too!! Hope who are reading in this book can enjoy it!! ^_^
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful novel!
Review: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies Penguin Books 1970 This is the first novel in the "Deptford trilogy" and the first Davies novel for me. Dunstan Ramsey, on reading the biography published about him on his retirement as a History Master from a private school writes to the Headmaster of the school to set the record straight. What follows is a detailed autobiography that shows Dunstan to be a remarkable man of letters and a patient and persevering friend of several childhood acquaintances - a young women who took a snowball destined for him and gave birth, prematurely, to a son, the boy/man who threw the snowball and the girl/women he loved but lost to the boy/man. Dunstan's character is extremely well developed as are the principle characters -the boy/man Boy Staunton, his wife Leola Staunton, Mrs. Dempster (the snowballed woman) and her son and the rambunctious and frisky Fr Blazon sj. Dunstan is a product of strict Presbyterian parents and a small Ontario community. He never manages to completely overcomes these early handicaps but his self awareness and kindness to himself as he struggles to understand how to balance the mythical and spiritual strains in his life finds him at the end a reluctant observer of life. Dunstan is a good man and his struggles are our struggles as we seek to understand this world in which we live and love. I enjoyed the book thoroughly and look forward to finishing the Deptford trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Mysticism and magic
Review: "Fifth Business" wonderfully chronicles a man's life from his boyhood through to his elderly years. The first-person narrator, Dunstan Ramsay, is extremely likeable. His delivery of his life story is done with wit, style, and subtlety. His story is unusual and interesting, wrought with mysticism and magic. Perhaps there is as much magic in all of our lives, if only we were as adept as seeing it! Robertson Davies is a master of plot and characterization. This book is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Everything A Novel Should Be
Review: It may have been the Russian novelist Turgenev who used to write while sitting at a desk looking out the window with his feet in a bucket of warm water. Metaphorically speaking, this represents the artist, drawing warmth from the Muse while looking out at the world. So Davies does. Written in autobiographical style, the protagonist, Dunstan Ramsey, details his layered life. Beginning with a pivotal episode that changed his life direction (one that is endlessly discussable), it is not clear until the finale just how all the ramifications get worked out from this event. Oh, Davies can write. The narrative detail, the characterization, the ideas, weave like a fine fugue. Davies writes of Ramsey's childhood in rural Canada during the turn of the century, the Great War, life in a circus, hagiography, and slight of hand; it is deliciously rich in detail and wisdom. The Muse has visited Davies.
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