Synopses & Reviews
A middle-aged pawnbroker-poet is allowed to regain his youth for a year of amorous adventures in this compelling fantasy. Filled with strange beasts, alien gods, fabulous lands, beautiful ladies, and an aura of the supernatural, Cabel's allegory leads its hero through affairs with Guenevere and the Lady of the Lake as well as confrontations with God and the Devil.
The 1919 publication of Jurgen catapulted its author into a position as one of the most enigmatic and controversial literary figures of his era. Critical response ranged from lavish praise to violent denunciations, including attempts to have the novel banned for obscenity. Modern readers consider it a landmark in the history of American fantastic fiction and a successor to the traditions of Rabelais, Sterne, Swift, and Voltaire. Its gentle blend of comedy and irony in a fantastic setting has enchanted generations of readers. This edition features more than a dozen striking full-page illustrations by Frank C. Papé.
Synopsis
A witty and irreverent landmark of modern fiction, this compelling fantasy recounts a time-traveler's adventures through a supernatural dreamscape. Cabell's allegorical novel recounts romances with Guenevere and The Lady of the Lake and confrontations with God and the Devil. Republication of the definitive 1926 edition. Thirteen full-page illustrations by Frank C. Papé.
Synopsis
Witty, compelling fantasy recounts a time-traveler's adventures through a supernatural dreamscape, his romances with famous women, and his confrontations with God and the Devil. Thirteen full-page illustrations by Frank C. Papé.
Table of Contents
Introduction by Bob BlaisdellA Foreword: Which Asserts NothingI. Why Jurgen Did the Manly ThingII. Assumption of a Noted GarmentIII. The Garden Between Dawn and SunriseIV. The Dorothy Who Did Not UnderstandV. Requirements of Bread and ButterVI. Showing that Sereda Is FeminineVII. Of Compromises on a WednesdayVIII. Old Toys and a New ShadowIX. The Orthodox Rescue of GuenevereX. Pitiful Disguises of ThragnarXI. Appearance of the Duke of LogreusXII. Excursus of Yolande's UndoingXIII.Philosophy of Gogyrvan GawrXIV. Preliminary Tactics of Duke JurgenXV. Of Compromises in GlathionXVI. Divers Imbroglios of King SmoitXVII. About a Cock that Crowed Too SoonXVIII. Why Merlin Talked in TwilightXIX. The Brown Man with Queer FeetXX. Efficacy of PrayerXXI. How Anaitis VoyagedXXII. As to a Veil They BrokeXXIII. Shortcomings of Prince JurgenXXIV. Of Compromises in CocaigneXXV. Cantraps of the Master PhilologistXXVI. In Time's Hour-GlassXXVII. Vexatious Estate of Queen HelenXXVIII. Of Compromises in LeukeXXIX. Concerning Horvendile's NonsenseXXX. Economics of King JurgenXXXI. The Fall of PseudopolisXXXII. Sundry Devices of the PhilistinesXXXIII. Farewell to ChlorisXXXIV. How Emperor Jurgen Fared InfernallyXXXV. What Grandfather Satan ReportedXXXVI. Why Coth Was ContradictedXXXVII. Invention of the Lovely VampireXXXVIII. As to Applauded PrecedentsXXXIX. Of Compromises in HellXL. The Ascension of Pope JurgenXLI. Of Compromises in HeavenXLII. Twelve that Are Fretted HourlyXLIII. Postures Before a ShadowXLIV. In the Manager's OfficeXLV. The Faith of GuenevereXLVI. The Desire of AnaitisXLVII. The Vision of HelenXLVIII. Candid Opinions of Dame LisaXLIX. Of the Compromise with KoshcheiL. The Moment that Did Not Count