Book Review – The Salterton Trilogy
An Examination of Robertson Davies’ First Three Novels
Nov 7, 2009
Although the Deptford Trilogy is largely regarded as Robertson Davis’ greatest work, his first three novels, Tempest-Tossed, Leaven of Malice and A Mixture of Frailties are full of wit and humour. These novels are set in a small fictional Ontario town called Salterton and all three works are written in the third person, concentrating on a variety of characters.
Tempest-Tossed
Tempest-Tossed focuses on the Salterton Little Theatre Company, a group of amateur actors set on performing The Tempest by William Shakespeare. A great deal of the novel’s comedy is revealed through the struggles of Valentine Rich, a successful director who has been recruited to direct the play. Rich finds it difficult to direct the small group, as many of the people of the Little Theatre Company are more concerned with making money, impressing others and garnering praise than actual acting. The reader is introduced to a host of characters in this novel, many of whom will appear prominently in the later books.
Leaven of Malice
Leaven of Malice features Pearl Vambrace and Solly Bridgetower, who were significant characters in Tempest-Tossed. The novel begins with a mystery: there is a notice in the Salterton newspaper that Pearl and Solly are engaged. This creates quite a stir because it is a complete lie, someone’s idea of a practical joke. The engagement notice is a match to a powder keg of past resentments and rivalries in the small town. The Bridgetowers and the Vambraces have been on bad terms for several years, and Pearl’s father, Professor Vambrace, is particularly haughty about family honour. Lawsuits are threatened, tempers flare and everyone is trying to figure out who placed the libellous piece in the paper. As this novel focuses on only a few characters, it is significantly more engaging than Tempest-Tossed and more amusing.
A Mixture of Frailties
A Mixture of Frailties opens with the death of Solly’s mother, Mrs. Bridgetower, whose spiteful will creates complications for Solly and Peal. Her will deprives them of any inheritance unless they have a son, and in the meantime, her considerable fortune will be devoted to the education of a young Salterton artist. The selected girl is Monica Gall, a sweet and religious aspiring singer. The novel mainly focuses on Monica’s progress in England as she learns the art of music. She falls into a complex romance with her charismatic teacher, Giles Revelstoke, and the affair has surprising consequences. Because much of the novel does not take place in Salterton, the characters are more dramatic and developed and Davies moves from his previous style of satire to his characteristic serious mode of storytelling.
These novels are light hearted and amusing, but also carry a great deal of depth. All of the characters are real and relatable and in these novels Davis presents satire at its finest. Though he humorously showcases the foibles of his characters, it is a gentile satire and the reader is able to see the genuine humanity of his characters as well as their comical flaws.
Robertson Davies. The Salterton Trilogy. Published by Penguin Books, 1986. ISBN: 0140159797
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