Jurgen

This is an interesting story both in and of itself and because of the history of the publication of the novel and the controversy that it caused. It is funny and irreverent and full of sexual double entendre and pretty racy stuff for 1920. I would recommend this audio book even thought the narrator was not really the best.

This is a tough dialogue to read... no argument, and Mr. Blumenfeld breezed through the French and Latin and German place names and references without missing a beat... however I kept waiting for him to get the rhythm of the characters and he never really did. I often had a hard time telling the transition from one character to another and he really wasn't a smooth reader. He injected pauses in the middle of sentences and didn't seem as I said to get the rhythm of the characters.

If you're reading this book because you're hoping to read something 'edgy' or you heard that this book was controversial... well, probably you will be disappointed. Unless you're scandalized by penis metaphors. I would hope that you wouldn't read a book purely for it's controversiality though...

Otherwise, I think Jurgen was a pretty insightful and blunt exploration into what I guess I'd call typical daydreaming themes (If I could go back in time.... if I could have any partner I wanted... etc). I don't know that it's possible to debunk these daydreams entirely - in particular I'm not sure I buy the idea that "doing it all over again" wouldn't make me happier. But regardless, it's an interesting thought.

this is a book which repays rereading. The language, the plotting and the mischievous double entendre may have been compromising in 1910, but today it is refreshing and amusing with a delicate and wicked sense of humour - his name was Jurgen but what his wife called him "was often much worse than that"

None, unless by Cabell. His Storisende series continually offers the sense of humour and mischief found here. Jurgen is the most accessible of the stories and perhaps the wittiest. after all, noone knows what happens in the dark.

the very first - his meeting with the devil and the commentary on the place of devil and religion as necessary counterparts is superbly done and as funny a scene as is to be found in literature

impossible

too good to miss, it is to be hoped that the rest of these wonderful books will be available on Audible, and with the same narrator.l especially look forward to the Cream of the Jest.