Happy Alchemy Explained

Happy Alchemy, first published by McClelland and Stewart in 1997, is a collection of writings by Canadian novelist Robertson Davies. The collection was edited after Davies' death in 1995 by his literary executors: his wife Brenda and daughter Jennifer.[1]

Happy Alchemy consists of various of Davies' unpublished speeches, book reviews and essays.[2] It touches on themes, subjects and interests that were near to Davies' heart: in particular, theatre, opera and music.

The book

The book opens with a quotation from the English poet Matthew Green:
"By happy alchemy of mind
They turn to pleasure all they find."

Companion Volume

Happy Alchemy was preceded in 1996 by a companion volume, The Merry Heart.

References

  1. Web site: No Miracles Here - Robertson Davies's Posthumous Collection. Peterman. Michael. Books in Canada: The Canadian Review of Books. 2017-03-17.
  2. Web site: Happy Alchemy: On the Pleasures of Music and the Theatre. Publishers Weekly. 2017-03-17.

See also