Guess that not too obscure book thread

[Zevico]

Simple, really: Give clues as to the identity of a certain novel, and the person who names it correctly will then give clues about a book of his own choosing.
I shall begin, like so:
This novel featured a small boy named Cedric as its main character. His grandfather is a rather mean nobleman. What is the title of this book's name?

[VetLegion]

"Cedric and his mean granpa"

[duke o' york]

A la recherche du temps perdu?

[Bereta_Eder]

Sans Nobilite = S'Nob=Snob.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

"Little Lord Fauntleroy"

[Zevico]

Lazarus has it correct.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

OK- here we go.

This novel largely focusses on a climbing (in the physical and social senses) kitchen boy . However, the key set-piece covers a battle to the death between a butler and a cook.

[Mr. Harley]

Haven't read it - but maybe Gormenghast?

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by shawnmmcc
Haven't read it - but maybe Gormenghast?

....men themselves amaze
To win the palm, the oak, or bays..

Andrew Marvell, 'Thoughts in a Garden'.

In plainer words, 'You gots it, baby!'

[Mr. Harley]

Molly - it was one of the first books I could not force myself to finish (I gave up I think in the second or third chapter), that's why I didn't recognize the battle to the death - but it sounded like something I had happily avoided.

I just read the Andrew Marvell poem - and I do not see the connection at all. I am not that good at poetry, so could you spell it out for me. And remember, I am not visually oriented when trying to explain it. Which I can tell from reading it will probably hobble your attempt to explain it to me.


I wish I could focus on obscure SF&F, I only have over 7000 volumes at home. But to be fair.

This short novel focuses on a land of dreams and a journey through them, whose macabre and often bizarre denizens foretell the author's later works, for which he is famous. Finally the gods eject the dreamer from these wonderful lands, sadly marooning him back in reality.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by shawnmmcc


I just read the Andrew Marvell poem - and I do not see the connection at all. I am not that good at poetry, so could you spell it out for me.

This short novel focuses on a land of dreams and a journey through them, whose macabre and often bizarre denizens foretell the author's later works, for which he is famous. Finally the gods eject the dreamer from these wonderful lands, sadly marooning him back in reality.

I picked only the section of the stanza dealing with the elements relating to winning or success- the symbols being the palm leaves, oak leaves and bay (laurel) leaves.


The plot summary makes me think of Delany's 'The Einstein Intersection'...

[Mr. Harley]

No - older than that. This work is squarely fantasy, and he was dead before Delany was born - but not by much.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by shawnmmcc
No - older than that. This work is squarely fantasy, and he was dead before Delany was born - but not by much.

Is it a Lovecraft opus ?

[Mr. Harley]

Yep. Only one fits the bill.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by shawnmmcc
Yep. Only one fits the bill.

Darn. Guess who knows his short stories more than his novels.

'Charles Dexter Ward' ?