Flaxius: Leaves from the life of an immortal: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Flaxius: Leaves from the life of an immortal: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Flaxius: Leaves from the life of an immortal is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Leland, Charles Godfrey (1824–1903).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Flaxius" by Charles Godfrey Leland is a collection of philosophical fantasy tales written in the early 20th century. It follows Flaxius, an immortal, witty magus-philosopher, as he wanders through ages meeting fairies, gods, historic figures, and literary heroes, blending folklore, satire, and moral reflection. The tone is erudite and playful, and the episodes meditate on courtesy, humour, belief, and human progress. The opening of the book frames the work as a suite of linked sketches, then begins with Flaxius in ancient Etruria rescuing a scorned woman who proves to be a penitent high spirit; she rewards him with a home among the fairies and the choice to live on in health and wisdom, effectively making him immortal. Next, in “Flaxius and the God,” an Aryan sage leads him to a hidden shrine where an archaic deity teaches that life’s paradoxes and contradictions are the root of humour; Flaxius weighs this hard material wisdom against Indian nirvanic escape and resolves to master earthly understanding first. “Flaxius and Rooseveldt” recasts a modern statesman as a legendary lord who bravely dines with a despised outsider despite public outrage, earning Flaxius’s praise and a celebratory ballad. In “Flaxius and Hamlet,” the sage lectures at Wittenberg, befriends the prince, and takes him to a fairy revel where the Queen of Faerie promises his life will be immortalized by a great poet; Hamlet wakes at dawn with a token ring. The section closes as a new tale begins, with Flaxius aiding a worthy woodman, Eadward, by conjuring a feast and pledging practical help, provided the man remains honest and kind.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Flaxius: Leaves from the life of an immortal
- Author credits: Leland, Charles Godfrey (1824–1903)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American wit and humor
- Fantasy fiction
- Immortality -- Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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