Journal Entry 1 by geishabird from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Saturday, August 26, 2006

There is an important decision to be made. The Cornish Foundation, set up with money left by the late Francis Cornish, connoisseur, collector, and notable eccentric, must decide upon what worthy undertaking next to dispense a portion of its considerable funds.

The Foundation decides to support the doctoral work of Hulda Schnakenburg (known to all as Schnak), a grumpy, grimy and thoroughly unpleasant young genius of a music student. Her task is to complete the score of an unfinished opera by E.T.A. Hoffmann, and as plans take shape, Hoffmann's dictum "The lyre of Orpheus opens the door of the underworld" proves prophetic for many a participant.

Third book in Davies' Cornish trilogy.

 

Journal Entry 2 by geishabird from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Saturday, September 02, 2006

Mailed to Ibis3 today. 

Journal Entry 3 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Arrived today in the mail. Thank you so much, geishabird. This book as a single volume is currently out of print & the first two books in the trilogy have already been included in my CanLit project and sent off on rings. I'm looking forward to reading it! 

Journal Entry 4 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Thursday, December 28, 2006

My favourite of the trilogy was What's Bred in the Bone, but I liked this one too. Back among the erudite at U of T with a side trip to Stratford. I don't know a lot about opera or the theatre (watching is about the extent of my knowledge), but that wasn't a hinderance. Knowing something about the Arthurian myth was much more important (though, as usual with "ponderous" and "toplofty" Mr Davies, we're given more than enough background to suffice). I also enjoyed the inclusion of the Tarot reading and the way that all the loose ends from the first two books were cleared up.

*spoilers*
So was Maria the "victim" of a glamour or did she know who was fathering her son? It was a lot like the way Arthur (the King, not the character) was conceived. Poor Arthur (the character, not the King). I just finished reading Froissart's Chronicles and he reports that there was a rumour that Richard II was not in fact the son of Arthur, the Black Prince, but that his wife found someone to take that role and presented both Edward and Richard as Arthur's own. I'm surprised no one brought that up. LOL. 

Journal Entry 5 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Friday, February 09, 2007

Sent out on a bookring today.

Order of go:
February 9/07 -->
1. ajsmom (British Columbia, Canada)
2. bibliotreker (Pennsylvania, USA)
3. molekilby (Wales, UK)
4. ldpaulson (California, USA)
5. juicy-comrade (British Columbia, Canada)
... Back to Ibis3 (Ontario, Canada) 

Journal Entry 6 by ajsmom from Quesnel, British Columbia Canada on Monday, February 19, 2007

Received today, thank you! 

Journal Entry 7 by ajsmom from Quesnel, British Columbia Canada on Sunday, March 04, 2007

Bred in the Bone was my favourite in this trilogy, but The Lyre of Orpheus was very entertaining. As someone who has played in many a pit orchestra, I feel that Davies nailed the vanities of musical production people. "Artistes!"

I read these books in the early 1990's and enjoyed them thoroughly. Ten years later, I have to say, they are beginning to feel a bit dated - the references to AIDS, amazement at breastfeeding - you can see how much Western society has changed. The writing is still good, the characters are still engrossing, but it is very much a book of its time. I wonder what a third read in another ten years' time would be like.

I will PM bibliotreker for an address and hopefully have this book in the mail next week. Thanks for the ring, Ibis! 

Journal Entry 8 by ajsmom at mailed to next reader in Postal release, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (3/7/2007 UTC) at mailed to next reader in Postal release, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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Sending to bibliotreker via air mail. 

Journal Entry 9 by bibliotreker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, March 12, 2007

Arrived in the mail from BC today. I'm on the last leg of my previous book ring book so this one will be next. Thanks ajsmom 

Journal Entry 10 by bibliotreker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, March 22, 2007

What interesting analogies this volume puts forth, the Arthurian, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with Arthur Cornish and the production of the opera "Arthur of Britain" and of The "Marriage at Cana" painting with the Cornish family. It was interesting how the term "What's Bred in the Bone" resurfaced again. It is two stories, Darcourt's research and the writing of the biography of Francis Cornish and the production of the opera. The humor of Maria's gypsy family and the reference to the platter of plenty again at the planning dinner for the opera added another dimension to this work, which I found particular amusing.

Sent out to molekilby in the UK Wales 24 Mar2007 

Journal Entry 11 by molekilby from BRITHDIR, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, April 27, 2007

Arrived today, thanks bibliotreker for sending and Ibis3 for sharing. A couple before this, but should be out within a month. 

Journal Entry 12 by molekilby from BRITHDIR, Wales United Kingdom on Monday, May 14, 2007

I prefered this book to "What's Bred In The Bone", it may have been that it was faster moving. Although I am glad I read the previous book as there were so many references to it. Even a reference to the Fifth Business, another of Davies' books. It has also stirred a want to see an opera live! I was particularly waiting for this to arrive as it was referenced in Christopher Brookmyre's "All Fun And Games Until Somebody Loses An Eye", and with Brookmyre's character in other books being called Parlabane I wonder if he isn't a little influenced by this author. Possible SPOILERS ahead, so read with caution.

Plenty of parallel's between the opera and the lives of the characters. It was interesting to note that although in the novel the lyre of Orpheus opens up the Underworld, it is also the instrument used on Jason's search for The Golden Fleece, to keep him safe from the sirens during his voyage. Could it be more links to Greek mythology, the Opera being used to avert disaster (The Marriage Of Cana being revealed as a 'fake'), to bring harmony to those it touchs (Aylwin Ross' vision finally being accomplished), or to keep Darcourt out of the clutches of women who would otherwise destroy him.

ldpaulson has asked to be skipped and just waiting on instruction from juicy-comrade before sending. Thanks for sharing Ibis3. 

Journal Entry 13 by molekilby at n/a in n/a, Mail -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, May 24, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (5/21/2007 UTC) at n/a in n/a, Mail -- Controlled Releases

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RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed on the 21st to juicy-comrade 

Journal Entry 14 by juicy-comrade from Victoria, British Columbia Canada on Sunday, June 10, 2007

I've got it. 

Journal Entry 15 by juicy-comrade from Victoria, British Columbia Canada on Wednesday, August 01, 2007

I greatly enjoyed this book. Half way through, I stopped reading it, because I went on a couple of road trips and my books just ended up getting ignored in all the commotion. But when I picked the book up again, a couple days ago, I had no trouble at all falling back into the story. It's a good sign when a book stays interesting dispite interuptions.

I sent the book back to Ibis3 this morning. 

Journal Entry 16 by Ibis3 from Newcastle, Ontario Canada on Saturday, August 18, 2007

This book arrived back home safely. Thanks everyone for participating! 

Journal Entry 17 by Ibis3 at via Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament in By mail, Afghanistan release -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, July 05, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (7/5/2008 UTC) at via Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament in By mail, Afghanistan release -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I decided to let this book continue its journey and sent it as part of gypsysmom's Canada Day Release Challenge to Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming who is doing a book drive for Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

I hope whoever finds this book enjoys this taste of home.