Fantasy Cabell, James Branch: The Cream of the Jest. v2.0. 12 June 07

[Dr. Drib]

James Branch Cabell is my favorite fantasy writer, but he is more than merely a fantasy writer. (At one time, I was thinking of doing my dissertation on him.)

Cabell began writing in the early 1900s. His most famous work is Jurgen, but I wanted to START with The Cream of the Jest, because it introduces so many of his themes: woman as witch-woman; chivlarous attitude toward life, etc.

He has an urbane, unhurried style, one that is mocking and (at the same time) quite beautiful to read. (He reminds me of Machen in one sense.)

Ballantine reprinted most of his great fantasy novels in the late 60s. I PLAN TO DO ALL OF CABELL THAT I CAN LOCATE, BUT I WANT TO DO THEM IN A CORRECT MANNER AND WITH LOVING ATTENTION.

Cabell is one of those artists that you either like or dislike. His many novels comprise one GREAT BOOK, dealing with no less than a history of humankind, told through through an historical perspective that includes a number of recurring characters and themes.

There is so much more I could say about James Branch Cabell, but go ahead and see if his writing style is to your liking.

I must point out that I've taken somewhat of a gamble with presenting this as my first contribution of his canon. There are more "fun" books by him than this one; but, as I already indicated I chose this one because it contains so many of his recurring themes.

Please give it a try.

I hope you enjoy it.

Don

[Dr. Drib]

Download v2. (I forgot to link to the PREFACE)