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Audiobooks > Fiction >  General Fiction > Leaven of Malice: The Salterton Trilogy, Book 2

Download Leaven of Malice: The Salterton Trilogy, Book 2 Audiobook

Extended Audio Sample Leaven of Malice: The Salterton Trilogy, Book 2 Audiobook, by Robertson Davies Click for printable size audiobook cover
3.78 out of 53.78 out of 53.78 out of 53.78 out of 53.78 out of 5 3.78 (23 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: Robertson Davies Narrator: Frederick Davidson Publisher: Blackstone Audio Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Related: The Salterton Trilogy Release Date: February 2010 ISBN: 9781455173457
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The following announcement appeared in the Salterton Evening Bellman: “Professor and Mrs. Walter Vambrace are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Pearl Veronica, to Solomon Bridgetower, Esq., son of…” Although the malice that prompted the insertion of this false engagement notice was aimed at three people only—Solly Bridgetower, a junior instructor in English at Waverly University; Pearl Vambrace, the subdued daughter of a domineering professor; and Gloster Ridley, the anxiety-ridden editor of the Evening Bellman—the leaven of malice will change permanently, for good or ill, the lives of many of the citizens of Salterton.

In the second book of the Salterton Trilogy, Robertson Davies jumps at the opportunity this situation provides to create memorable characters and lasting impressions.

Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “His writing is full of zest, wit, and urbanity. The soundness of his moral is apparent. The leaven of malice grows, and swells, and sooner or later touches all of us.” 

    New York Times Book Review

  • “The reader will find it a riot—engrossing from opening prank to final curtain.”

    Toronto Star

  • “Leaven of Malice is leaven of sheer delight.” 

    Globe and Mail
  • Winner of the 1955 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humor

Listener Opinions

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Joy | 1/3/2014

    " The second book in the Salterton trilogy. I think it's a bit funnier than the first one, Tempest-Tost, though my memories of that are admittedly dim. I'm not in any rush to read the next book, though; it's a pleasure I'm happy to save for later. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Adam | 12/29/2013

    " This is far from Davies' best work (for that, pick up Fifth Business and the rest of the Deptford Trilogy), and much of the humor is in the parlor comedy style, which rings a bit quaint today. Still, as a newspaper man, I loved all the comedy he found in newspaper editors, writers and readers. "

  • 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Kara | 12/28/2013

    " College is over, I couldn't get through this one. Too complicated, not enough plot for me. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Ken Ludwig | 12/8/2013

    " One of best comic novels of the 20th Century. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Larry | 11/25/2013

    " Great fun!! I have now completed the Salterton Trilogy and as a body of three books I was introduced to some memorable characters. Now on to his Robertson's other works whihc i expect to be equally as interesting. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Brian | 10/19/2013

    " Robertson Davies is the master. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Casey | 3/31/2013

    " A terrific continuation of the lives of those introduced in Tempest-tost. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kate | 5/6/2012

    " A gentle satire of small-town jealousies and journalism. No less delightful for being a minor story. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jamandelb | 4/1/2012

    " Another fun Robertson read. This one focuses in on a few characters, and where Tempest Tost felt like 'Love Actually', Leaven of Malice gets deeper into the characters and the community. A quirky and rambling love story worth reading for the enjoyment of good, entertaining writing. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Joshua Lucas | 3/27/2012

    " Tightly constructed small-town farce that accurately captures the frustrations and sillinesses of being the editor of a tiny newspaper. Very funny stuff. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jason | 3/16/2012

    " Even funnier than the first. I don't want to give anything away but this is really enjoyable from start to finish. Continues from Tempest-Tost cast of characters. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Moop | 12/17/2011

    " Much better that the first in the series and better than the Cornish trilogy. I found it to be a very enjoyable read on par with Fifth Business. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Sheri-lee | 4/8/2011

    " First 3rd slow to start, second 3rd a bit predictable, last 3rd jolly good reading (despite the predictable parts coming true). "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Miriam | 3/16/2011

    " Not my favorite of the Robertson Davies novels I've read, but still awfully good. Full of wry humor and appealing, fusty Canadian academic types. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 A.J. | 1/12/2011

    " Loved it. Richly drawn characters, good and bad. Reminds me of Trollope and Dickens: definitely in the same vein of writing. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Eleanor | 9/27/2010

    " Hilarious. Wry. Anglican. Stodgy. Canadian. Fantastic. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Brian | 9/19/2010

    " Robertson Davies is the master. "

  • 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Kara | 7/25/2009

    " College is over, I couldn't get through this one. Too complicated, not enough plot for me. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Ken | 7/21/2009

    " One of best comic novels of the 20th Century. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Adam | 5/5/2009

    " This is far from Davies' best work (for that, pick up Fifth Business and the rest of the Deptford Trilogy), and much of the humor is in the parlor comedy style, which rings a bit quaint today. Still, as a newspaper man, I loved all the comedy he found in newspaper editors, writers and readers. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jason | 6/13/2008

    " Even funnier than the first. I don't want to give anything away but this is really enjoyable from start to finish. Continues from Tempest-Tost cast of characters. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Miriam | 7/17/2007

    " Not my favorite of the Robertson Davies novels I've read, but still awfully good. Full of wry humor and appealing, fusty Canadian academic types. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Eleanor | 7/5/2007

    " Hilarious. Wry. Anglican. Stodgy. Canadian. Fantastic. "

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About the Author
Author Robertson Davies

Robertson Davies (1913–1995) was an internationally acclaimed author, actor, publisher, and, finally, professor at the University of Toronto. The author of twelve novels and several volumes of essays and plays, he was the first Canadian to be inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

About the Narrator

Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.

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