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INTERVIEWER
You’ve just returned from a triumphant trip to Scandinavia and also to London. In the past you’ve remarked that the British view of “colonial” writers was not as generous as it might be. How was it this time?
ROBERTSON DAVIES
Well, it was a mingled greeting. A great many people were extremely kind and friendly, and of course the more informed British—that is, roughly ten per cent of the population—no longer regard Canadians as colonials. But some do, and one or two quite influential reviewers made it very, very clear that they expect little from Canada. One of the strangest experiences that I’ve had as an author was some years ago when a novel of mine was reviewed in the Times of London, and reviewed very favorably. But the review began with these chilling words: “To speak of a good novel from a Canadian writer sounds like the beginning of a bad joke.” With friends like that, who needs enemies?
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