Shakespeare’s Plays, gifted by the Canadian writer Robertson Davies to the daughter whom he named after Prospero’s daughter in The Tempest and affectionately inscribed: ‘For Miranda Davies with every good wish for her birthday December 24th 1954 - The Tempest Act III Sc. I. lines 38-40 from R.D.’ Davies’ reference is to Ferdinand’s encomium: ‘Admired Miranda,/ Indeed the top of admiration, worth/ What’s dearest to the world.’ Robertson Davies has highlighted these lines in the text.
Laid in, a long intellectually showy letter written to Miranda (seemingly not from her father but a suitor) which mentions the ‘horrid amount of work to do on Ant[hony] and Cleo[patra] which has to be in some sort of shape by Tues next wherein I lecture on the hellish thing. Really love it but have little new to say.’ He continues on themes such as his desire to shout in the library, reading Pirandello, and ending, ‘Darling such yakety-yak...’ and signing himself ‘J.’
Shakespeare was a lifelong obsession for Robertson Davies (1913-1995) - his first book Shakespeare’s Boy Actors was drawn from his Oxford B.litt thesis, published around the time that he was playing small roles and doing literary work for the Old Vic in London before returning to Canada with his English-born wife. Although his first love was drama, it was in fiction that he found his greatest success. His Times obituary recorded that ‘Davies encompassed all the great elements of life... His novels combined deep seriousness and psychological inquiry with fantasy and exuberant mirth.’
Miranda Davies moved to England where she worked as psychotherapist.
DESCRIPTION: A good copy only; the large text block has tried to pull away from the binding with consequent damage to the inner hinges. The boards are marked and scuffed.
