The Cream of the Jest, A Comedy of Evasions

The Cream of the Jest : A Comedy of Evasions[1] is a comical and philosophical novel with possible fantasy elements, by James Branch Cabell, published in 1917. Much of it consists of the historical dreams and philosophical reflections of the main character, the famous writer Felix Kennaston. The novel takes place almost entirely around Lichfield, Virginia, Cabell's fictionalization of Richmond, Virginia,[3] particularly in Kennaston's house, in the country. However, Kennaston's dreams take place in various parts of Europe and the Mediterranean basin at various times in the past. Also, part of The Cream of the Jest consists of the ending of the first version of Kennaston's novel, which is set in the Middle Ages around the castle of Storisende in a mythical country.