All Formats & Editions

At once ingenious and powerful, What's Bred in the Bone holds the usual rich mixture of Davies' delights. Soho prostitutes, secret agents, Bavarian countesses, and a small-town embalmer people its pages in Davies' stylish, elegant prose.

Second in the Cornish Trilogy following The Rebel Angels. "An altogether remarkable creation, [Davies'] most accomplished novel to date."--The New York Times

Francis Cornish was always good at keeping secrets. From the well-hidden family secret of his childhood to his mysterious encounters with a small-town embalmer, an expert art restorer, a Bavarian countess, and various masters of espionage, the events in Francis's life were not... Read Full Overview

Robertson Davies engages us in the fascinating history of Francis Cornish, a wealthy and mysterious Canadian collector and patron of the arts who has just died. Beginning with the chance circumstances that lead to his parents' marriage, and including his unorthodox artistic formation... Read Full Overview

Narrated by two angels acting as commentators on Francis' life, this novel is a curious blend of fable, religion, and mythology.

Francis Cornish was always good at keeping secrets. From the well-hidden family secret of his childhood to his mysterious encounters with... Read Full Overview

At once ingenious and powerful, What's Bred in the Bone holds the usual rich mixture of Davies' delights. Soho prostitutes, secret agents, Bavarian countesses, and a small-town embalmer people its pages in Davies' stylish, elegant prose.