This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Fifth Business

   

   The novel follows the life of Dunstan Ramsay, a man haunted by a childhood accident that he believes he caused. The book explores his guilt and its impact on his life, as well as his relationships with others, including a woman he loves but cannot have, a brilliant but troubled friend, and a saintly fool. Throughout his life, Ramsay seeks redemption and understanding in the realms of history, mythology, and religion.

   The 1571st Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. The Deptford Trilogy

   

   "The Deptford Trilogy" is a series of interconnected novels that explore the life of a man from a small Canadian town named Deptford, and the ripple effects of a single childhood event that shaped the lives of three boys. The narrative weaves themes of love, guilt, art, and the complexity of human nature. The story is told from multiple perspectives and spans several decades, providing a deep exploration of the characters' psychological and spiritual development.

   The 1800th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

3. 3. The Rebel Angels

   

   The novel is a satirical and erudite exploration of the clash between the spiritual and the carnal, set within the hallowed halls of a Canadian university. It follows the lives of a group of scholars who become embroiled in a series of events sparked by the death of a wealthy art collector. As the academics vie for the deceased's valuable collection, the narrative delves into themes of gnosticism, alchemy, and the complexities of human desire. The story weaves together the personal ambitions, romantic entanglements, and intellectual pursuits of its characters, revealing the moral and ethical dilemmas that often accompany the quest for knowledge and power.

   The 7795th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

4. 4. The Cunning Man

   

   The novel follows the life of a Toronto doctor who uses his knowledge of medicine and his understanding of human nature to treat his patients. He believes in the healing power of the human spirit and often uses unconventional methods to treat his patients. The narrative is filled with his interesting patients and their stories, as well as his own personal journey. The book also explores themes of spirituality, love, and the complexities of human nature.

   The 9092nd Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
5. 5. What's Bred In The Bone

   

   Set against the backdrop of 20th-century Europe, this novel delves into the life of Francis Cornish, an enigmatic art collector and critic whose life is a tapestry woven with secrets, ambition, and the pursuit of artistic truth. Through a rich narrative that intertwines his formative years in a small Canadian town with his later experiences in the art world, the story explores themes of identity, legacy, and the influence of heritage. As layers of his past are peeled back, the reader is invited to ponder the intricate interplay between destiny and personal choice, revealing how the essence of one's character is shaped by both nature and nurture.

   The 10216th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

6. 6. World of Wonders

   

   "World of Wonders" is the third novel in a trilogy that follows the life of a man named Paul Dempster, who is kidnapped as a child by a magician and later becomes a world-renowned illusionist himself. The story, narrated by his childhood friend, explores themes of identity, fate, and the magic of life itself. Through a series of flashbacks and current events, the protagonist's life from childhood to adulthood is unveiled, revealing a complex character who has been shaped by a series of extraordinary experiences.

   The 11599th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Amazon

7. 7. The Manticore

   

   The novel follows a man who, after the death of his father, seeks therapy to understand the complex relationship he had with him. Through the therapy sessions, the protagonist uncovers the depth of his father's influence on him, as well as his own personal identity. The narrative explores themes of self-discovery, the power of the subconscious mind, and the influence of past generations on the present.

8. 8. The Happiness Industry

   

   The book explores the intersection of psychology, economics, and consumer culture, examining how happiness has become a commodity in modern society. It delves into the ways businesses and governments exploit the pursuit of happiness to manipulate individuals, turning personal well-being into a tool for economic gain. The narrative critiques the commercialization of emotions and questions the authenticity of happiness in a world driven by profit motives, urging readers to reconsider the true meaning of happiness beyond materialistic and superficial measures.

9. 9. The Merry Heart

   Reflections on Reading, Writing, and the World of Books

   

   This collection of essays and speeches offers a delightful exploration of literature, culture, and the human condition, delivered with wit and wisdom. The author reflects on the joys and challenges of reading and writing, drawing from his vast experience as a novelist, playwright, and critic. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the arts, the narrative delves into the transformative power of storytelling and the enduring significance of creativity in our lives. Each piece is infused with humor and insight, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of life and the enduring value of a merry heart.
10. 10. Tempest Tost

    

    In a small Canadian town, a local amateur theater group stages a production of "The Tempest," sparking a whirlwind of comedic and dramatic events among its quirky cast and crew. The story delves into the lives of the townsfolk, revealing their hidden desires, ambitions, and insecurities as they navigate the complexities of love, ambition, and social status. With a keen eye for human nature, the narrative weaves together humor and pathos, capturing the essence of small-town life and the transformative power of art.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

11. 11. A Mixture Of Frailties

    

    Set against the backdrop of post-war England and Canada, this novel follows the journey of Monica Gall, a young woman from a small Canadian town who unexpectedly inherits a scholarship to study music in London. As she navigates the complexities of her new life, Monica encounters a vibrant cast of characters, each with their own ambitions and flaws. Her experiences in the world of opera and the arts lead to profound personal growth, as she grapples with themes of identity, ambition, and the intricate web of human relationships. The narrative intricately weaves together humor, drama, and a keen insight into the human condition, offering a rich exploration of the transformative power of art and the enduring nature of human frailty.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

12. 12. Leaven Of Malice

    

    In a small Canadian town, a mischievous prank disrupts the lives of its residents when a false engagement announcement between two unsuspecting individuals is published in the local newspaper. As the community buzzes with gossip and speculation, the two individuals, who harbor no romantic feelings for each other, are thrust into a whirlwind of misunderstandings and social scrutiny. Amidst the chaos, the town's quirky characters reveal their true colors, showcasing a tapestry of human folly and resilience. The narrative deftly explores themes of reputation, pride, and the intricate dance of human relationships, all wrapped in a comedic yet insightful portrayal of small-town life.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

13. 13. The Cornish Trilogy

    

    Set against the backdrop of a prestigious Canadian university, this trilogy intricately weaves together the lives of scholars, artists, and eccentrics as they navigate the complexities of academia, art, and personal ambition. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and the quest for knowledge, while delving into the mystical and the supernatural. Through a rich tapestry of interconnected stories, the characters grapple with their own identities and the legacies they leave behind, offering a profound meditation on the nature of creativity and the human spirit.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

14. 14. One Half Of Robertson Davies

    

    null

    Purchase from Bookshop.org
15. 15. Murther & Walking Spirits

    

    After being murdered in a moment of domestic betrayal, a sardonic newspaperman’s spirit trails his killer to a film festival where a spectral retrospective screens episodes from generations of intertwined ancestors. As these vivid “films” reveal loves, scandals, and compromises spanning Canadian history, the observer pieces together the ironies of inheritance, the vanity of cultural ambition, and the satirical undercurrents of urban life, recognizing how long-laid patterns and private follies shaped the path to his own end.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

16. 16. The Salterton Trilogy

    

    A witty, interlinked comic saga set in a small Canadian town that follows an ensemble of musicians, writers, clergy, and social climbers as their artistic ambitions, romantic entanglements, jealousies, and petty rivalries produce farcical misunderstandings and moral reckonings; through sharp satire and affectionate characterization, the stories explore creativity, pretension, community life, and the tension between public image and private longing.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

17. 17. Murther And Walking Spirits

    

    After being murdered, a man’s spirit awakens at his own funeral and is escorted through a surreal procession of ancestral ghosts, who reveal family secrets and unravel episodes of his life; the novel mixes dark humor, metaphysical reflection and storytelling to probe identity, art and the moral complexities of human relationships.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org