Jurgen by James Branch Cabell (1919)

Name: Jurgen
Author: James Branch Cabell

Jurgen is a fantastical tale of a pawnbroker who embarks on a journey through love, loss, and identity, where he encounters mythical beings and grapples with his own desires amidst the backdrop of unfulfilled love and impending loss. As he navigates the vibrant yet empty pleasures of his world, he reflects on his past choices and the emotional turmoil of his affections.

By James Branch Cabell · First published 1919 · Genre: Fantasy, Philosophical Fiction, Satire · 50 chapters · 112,363 words

First lines

It is a tale which they narrate in Poictesme, saying: In the old days lived a pawnbroker named Jurgen; but what his wife called him was very often much worse than that. She was a high-spirited woman, with no especial gift for silence. Her name, they say, was Adelais, but people by ordinary called her Dame Lisa.

They tell, also, that in the old days, after putting up the shopwindows for the night, Jurgen was passing the Cistercian Abbey, on his way home: and one of the monks had tripped over a stone in the roadway. He was cursing the devil who had placed it there.

What this Textopian page supports

Jurgen is listed on Textopian as a novel by James Branch Cabell, dated 1919 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: James Branch Cabell
Date: 1919 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fantasy, Philosophical Fiction, Satire, Adventure, Romance
Length: 112,363 words
Structure: 50 chapters, 2,029 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Jurgen by James Branch Cabell
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by James Branch Cabell fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles

Genres

Fantasy — The novel features fantastical elements and a mythical setting, central to its plot and themes.
Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deep philosophical questions about existence, identity, and the nature of reality.
Satire — The book employs satire to critique societal norms and human behavior.
Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with various adventures that drive the plot.