The Cream of the Jest

The Cream of the Jest

James Branch Cabell

What is The Cream of the Jest about?

The Cream of the Jest (1917) follows Felix Kennaston, a Virginia novelist who discovers a magical sigil that allows him to enter a dream world of romantic adventure. The novel blurs fantasy and reality as Kennaston struggles to reconcile his dream life with his mundane marriage.

auto_stories46 chaptersENFiction

Main themes in The Cream of the Jest

Dream world

The Cream of the Jest thoughtfully explores dream world through its central conflicts.

Magic sigil

The presence of magic sigil in The Cream of the Jest connects readers to its enduring relevance.

Fantasy vs. reality

Fantasy vs. reality emerges as a defining element in The Cream of the Jest, shaping character development.

Writer's imagination

Writer's imagination emerges as a defining element in The Cream of the Jest, shaping character development.

Why The Cream of the Jest is still relevant today

A witty metafictional novel about the relationship between imagination and reality that anticipated later postmodern fiction.

About the author

James Branch Cabell

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Cream of the Jest about?

A novelist uses a magic sigil to enter a dream world, blurring the line between fantasy and his mundane real life.

Where can I read it?

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