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Leaven of Malice: The Salterton Trilogy, Book 2 Audiobook
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(3.99) - 696 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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.
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"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."
— Jamandelb (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“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
Awards
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Winner of the 1955 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humor
Leaven of Malice Listener Reviews
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" 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. "
— Joy, 1/3/2014 -
" 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. "
— Adam, 12/29/2013 -
" College is over, I couldn't get through this one. Too complicated, not enough plot for me. "
— Kara, 12/28/2013 -
" One of best comic novels of the 20th Century. "
— Ken, 12/8/2013 -
" 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. "
— Larry, 11/25/2013 -
" Robertson Davies is the master. "
— Brian, 10/19/2013 -
" A terrific continuation of the lives of those introduced in Tempest-tost. "
— Casey, 3/31/2013 -
" A gentle satire of small-town jealousies and journalism. No less delightful for being a minor story. "
— Kate, 5/6/2012 -
" Tightly constructed small-town farce that accurately captures the frustrations and sillinesses of being the editor of a tiny newspaper. Very funny stuff. "
— Joshua, 3/27/2012 -
" 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. "
— Jason, 3/16/2012 -
" 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. "
— Moop, 12/17/2011 -
" First 3rd slow to start, second 3rd a bit predictable, last 3rd jolly good reading (despite the predictable parts coming true). "
— Sheri-lee, 4/8/2011 -
" 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. "
— Miriam, 3/16/2011 -
" Loved it. Richly drawn characters, good and bad. Reminds me of Trollope and Dickens: definitely in the same vein of writing. "
— A.J., 1/12/2011 -
" Hilarious. Wry. Anglican. Stodgy. Canadian. Fantastic. "
— Eleanor, 9/27/2010 -
" Robertson Davies is the master. "
— Brian, 9/19/2010 -
" College is over, I couldn't get through this one. Too complicated, not enough plot for me. "
— Kara, 7/25/2009 -
" One of best comic novels of the 20th Century. "
— Ken, 7/21/2009 -
" 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. "
— Adam, 5/5/2009 -
" 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. "
— Jason, 6/13/2008 -
" 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. "
— Miriam, 7/17/2007 -
" Hilarious. Wry. Anglican. Stodgy. Canadian. Fantastic. "
— Eleanor, 7/5/2007
About 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 Frederick Davidson
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.