The Jewel Merchants

The Jewel Merchants is a novel by James Branch Cabell, first published in 1921. The story takes place in the fictional country of Poictesme, where the protagonist, Felix Kennaston, is a young man who dreams of becoming a great writer. However, he is forced to work as a clerk in his uncle's jewelry store to make ends meet. Felix's life takes a dramatic turn when he meets the beautiful and mysterious woman, Ettarre, who is also a skilled jewel thief. Ettarre introduces Felix to a world of danger and excitement, and he becomes embroiled in a plot to steal a valuable diamond. As Felix becomes more deeply involved in Ettarre's schemes, he begins to question his own morality and the value of his literary aspirations. The novel explores themes of love, ambition, and the corrupting influence of wealth and power. Cabell's writing style is known for its wit, irony, and satire, and The Jewel Merchants is no exception. The novel is a commentary on the social and cultural values of the time, and Cabell uses his characters to expose the hypocrisy and greed of the upper classes. Overall, The Jewel Merchants is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that combines elements of romance, adventure, and social commentary. It is a must-read for fans of James Branch Cabell and anyone interested in early 20th-century literature.GUIDO Am I to be welcomed merely for the sake of my gems? You were more gracious, you were more beautifully like your lovely name, on the fortunate day that I first encountered you ... only six weeks ago, and only yonder, where the path crosses the highway. But now that I esteem myself your friend, you greet me like a stranger. You do not even invite me into your garden. I much prefer the manner in which you told me the way to the inn when I was an unknown passer-by. And yet your pennant promised greeting.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.