"The final Cornish Trilogy novel from an author who "tells terrific
stories that twist around and double back on themselves in surprising
ways" (The New York Times). There is an important decision to be made.
The Cornish Foundation is thriving under the directorship of Arthur
Cornish when Arthur and his beguiling wife, Maria Theotoky, decide to
undertake a project worthy of Francis Cornish-connoisseur, collector,
and notable eccentric-whose vast fortune endows the Foundation. The
grumpy, grimy, extraordinarily talented music student Hulda Schnakenburg
is commissioned to complete E.T.A. Hoffmann's unfinished opera Arthur of
Britain, or The Magnanimous Cuckold; and the scholarly priest Simon
Darcourt finds himself charged with writing the libretto. Complications
both practical and emotional arise: the passion in Maria's blood rises
with a vengeance; Darcourt stoops to petty crime; and various others
indulge in perjury, blackmail, and other unsavory pursuits. Hoffmann's
dictum, "the lyre of Orpheus opens the door of the underworld," seems to
be all too true-especially when the long-hidden secrets of Francis
Cornish himself are finally revealed. "Davies once again delivers the
goods-with this solidly entertaining finale . . . Blending a
characteristic knack for wit, esoterica, and snobbery, Davies charges
ahead with a buoyant tale of upper-class grantsmanship and modern-day
cuckoldry . . . A spry jaunt from an old master-once again in full
command of the form."-Kirkus Reviews "Packed with interesting details of
opera history and production . . . intelligent observations and playful
allusions."-Publishers Weekly "With his wonderfully complex yet
controlled plot, deft portrayal of eccentric characters, and great wit,
Davies effectively satirizes the world of universities and
foundations."-Library Journal
