The Biography of Manuel

23 books in series
4 out of 5 stars 176 ratings

Figures of Earth Publisher's summary

Award-winning author, narrator, and screenwriter Neil Gaiman personally selected this book, and, using the tools of the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), cast the narrator and produced this work for his audiobook label, Neil Gaiman Presents.

A few words from Neil on Figures of Earth: "After a first round of very strong but not quite perfect auditions, I told the actors that 'the most important thing with Cabell is being able to deadpan a joke. The books are written by a Virginia Gentleman who is capable of making the dirtiest of dirty jokes with a straight face, and who is writing High Fantasy and Poetry, too.' Robert Blumenfeld captured the accent and wit of a man who corresponded with H.L. Mencken, Sinclair Lewis, and in his lifetime counted Mark Twain among his fans!"

Figures of Earth, subtitled "A Comedy of Appearances", follows the vicissitudes of Dom Manuel the Redeemer from his lowly swineherd origins through his unlikely elevation to the Count of Poictesme, and beyond. Published in 1921, it was the second volume of “The Biography of Manuel”, Cabell’s great work about an imaginary land that also managed to skewer the world of his upbringing as a Southern Gentleman of Virginia, and nearly everything else, besides!

Poor Manuel starts out life as a lowly swineherd, but rises to become the famous Dom Manuel, the legendary, even mythic, hero of many of Cabell’s novels. He begins, like the simpleton in "Jack in the Beanstalk" and other folktales, by taking literally his mother’s advice to “go out and make a figure in the world” – and makes Figures of clay…. But Manuel turns out to be a master of guile, a trickster hero, if you will. His guiding motto is: “The world wishes to be deceived.”

Public Domain (P)2012 Wildside Press LLC
Show more Show less
Classics Dream Witty
You're getting a free audiobook


You're getting a free audiobook.

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Product List
  • Book 1

    Beyond Life Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 2

    Regular price: $19.95 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $19.95 or 1 credit

  • Book 3

    The Silver Stallion Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 4

    The Witch-Woman Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 5

    Domnei Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 6

    Chivalry: Dizain Des Reines Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 7

    Regular price: $19.95 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $19.95 or 1 credit

  • Book 8

    The Line of Love Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 9

    Regular price: $19.95 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $19.95 or 1 credit

  • Book 10

    Gallantry Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 11

    Something About Eve Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 12

    The Certain Hour Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 13

    The Cords of Vanity Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 14

    From the Hidden Way Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 15

    The Jewel Merchants Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 16

    The Rivet in Grandfather's Neck Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 17

    The Eagle's Shadow Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 18

    Regular price: $15.70 or 1 credit

    Sale price: $15.70 or 1 credit

  • Book 19

    The Lineage of Lichfield Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com

  • Book 20

    Straws and Prayer-Books Audiobook By James Branch Cabell cover art
    Not available on audible.com