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ashleylm's review against another edition
5.0
Cabell's style was idiosyncratic even back then: when he's good, he's very very good, and when he's bad, he's unbearable. This is one of his best ones. I read it at 13, and was astonished at how funny, moving, clever, and (especially) how different it felt from the many Tolkien imitations. Well, of course: it predated Tolkien by years.
In my opinion his most accessible books are this, The High Place, Jurgen, and The Silver Stallion, and everything else might only appeal to completists, masochists, or those who genuinely love his style. But I strongly urge all to give at least this one a try: it was my gateway drug, and it worked.
Cabell prided himself in being "urbane," so keep that in mind and you might have some forewarning of what you're about to get into!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful.)
In my opinion his most accessible books are this, The High Place, Jurgen, and The Silver Stallion, and everything else might only appeal to completists, masochists, or those who genuinely love his style. But I strongly urge all to give at least this one a try: it was my gateway drug, and it worked.
Cabell prided himself in being "urbane," so keep that in mind and you might have some forewarning of what you're about to get into!
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful.)
countofpoictesme's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
revslick's review against another edition
2.0
Who influences the influencers - according to many fantasy and satirists alike it was Cabell who's fantasy and wit is wry and dryer than the Mojave. I can definitely see where many of the greats appreciated his craft at the time from Twin, Heinlein, Leiber, Gaiman and Pratchett, but those masters took the craft to another dimension entirely. Read at the risk of curing your insomnia.
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