$65.00
A hard cover edition ( ex library copy) with ocher boards, blue metallic lettering and unclipped, illustrated dust jacket. There is foxing and toning throughout but the text is clear and legible. There is some rubbing and wear to the edges of the book and dust cover. There is a tear to the front of the dust cover and cello tape to the bottom spine of the dust jacket. Now in a clear, removable cover to protect from damage.
Publisher:Â Macmillan of Canada, Toronto
Publication Date: 1970
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In stock
In Robertson Davies’ novel “Fifth Business”, Dunstan Ramsey,a history teacher, narrates the story of how his life haas been inextricably linked to the events surrounding the accidental injury of Mrs.Dempster, the pregnant wife of the local Baptist minister. This injury, caused by a snowball thrown by Ramsey’s friend/rival Percy Boyd Staunton, leads to a chain of events that profoundly impact Ramsey’s life and the lives of those around him, including Mrs. Dempster’s premature son, Paul. The term “Fifth Business” refers to a supporting character essential to the plot, even if they are not the main hero or villain.Â
The novel begins in the small Canadian town of Deptford, where Ramsey and his friend, Percy Boyd Staunton, are ten years old. During a snowball fight, Percy’s snowball, which contains a stone, accidentally hits Mrs. Dempster, causing her to fall, give birth prematurely, and suffer a mental breakdown. Ramsey feels responsible for this, even though he dodged the snowball and it was Percy who threw it.Â
From that point on, Ramsey’s life becomes entangled with Mrs. Dempster and her son, Paul. Ramsey, despite his Protestant upbringing, finds himself drawn to her and eventually becomes a historian of Christian saints. Paul, raised in the circus and a master illusionist, also plays a significant role in Ramsey’s life.Â
The novel explores themes of guilt, responsibility, and the interconnectedness of lives, demonstrating how seemingly insignificant events can have far-reaching consequences. It is a story of the unexpected ways in which individuals can become essential “fifth business” in the lives of others, even if they are not the main players.Â
Weight | 0.630 kg |
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