Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward
That's just James Branch Cabell rehashed. . .
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I suppose, in the sense that the
Narnia series is just
George MacDonald rehashed.
Job and
Jurgen share a similar structure and (very) basic plot. The protagonists evolve in quite different directions, however. Jurgen reviews episodes and possibilities from his past that ultimately cause him to rethink and ultimately cherish his present situation (I'm reminded of
It's a Wonderful Life), while Alex is forced to confront variations on society that challenge his ideas of moral and spiritual right and wrong. Jurgen's flagging faith in "the God of Jurgen's grandmother" is ultimately renewed, while Alex's faith takes a much more "Heinleinian" turn when he realizes that narrow, religious propriety and true morality have very little in common.
The sympathetic Satan character, fantastic situations created specifically to challenge the protagonist, the ultimate discovery (with divine help) of who the protagonist really loves and why are undeniable parallels, but in light of the profound differences, should be considered
homage (especially considering Heinlein sharing
Jurgen's subtitle with
Job) rather than plagiarism.