I discovered this book while researching some points for my review of [b:Time Enough for Love|353|Time Enough for Love|Robert A. Heinlein|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1218664355s/353.jpg|75443] by [a:Robert Heinlein|205|Robert A. Heinlein|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1192826560p2/205.jpg]. In particular, at the beginning of a chapter in Time, Heinlein uses Cabell's trick of inserting poetry as prose. This book appears to be the standard authority on Cabell's use of such "contrapuntal prose," and after reading the introduction (by Cabell himself) and the opening chapter to get a flavor of the discussion, I decided to continue reading, as the book is rather short — just over 100 pages — and seemed intriguing enough to warrant the time.

I'm glad I did. Despite having never read any of Cabell's work, the fact that two of my scholarly obsessions — Heinlein and [a:Benjamin De Casseres|834226|Benjamin De Casseres|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1432785459p2/834226.jpg] — both admire him have already put in my sights as someone whose work I should read. This book shows not only that Cabell is worth checking out in greater detail, but also shows how much care Cabell took in creating the mythology of his Dom Manuel and the fictional Poictesme region of Southern France.

Alas that Cabell's Biography of Manuel is some 18 volumes, as I have too many other commitments to start it anytime soon. ( )

Unique work of Cabellian criticism, especially highlights Cabell's technique of "contrapuntal prose" ( )