Genre
Fantasy
Setting and Context
The novel is set in several different time periods: at the start of the 20th century, in the latter half of the 20th century, and the 21st century.
Narrator and Point of View
The novel is told from a third-person perspective, from the perspective of an omniscient narrator.
Tone and Mood
The novel is brooding, oppressive, dystopian, authoritarian, and sad.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Evan Barnable and Auberon Barnable are co-protagonists and Russell Eigenblick is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
In each time period the novel is set in, the main conflict revolves around circumstances oftentimes beyond the main characters' control. For instance, the main conflict in Auberon Barnable's time is between Auberon and Russell Eigenblick, the fascist leader trying to be the President of the United States.
Climax
When Smoky's funeral turns into Auberon and Sylvie's wedding in a fantastical twist.
Foreshadowing
Auberon and Sylvie's marriage is foreshadowed by the first time the two meet.
Understatement
The sheer importance and brilliance of the Edgewood home are understated by Crowley playing up the home's strangeness.
Allusions
Crowley's novel alludes to a number of other novels, including some of Crowley's own and the works of people like J.R.R. Tolkein (and other fantasy authors). It also alludes to mythology and religion (but particularly the Catholic faith), the United States and its history and geography, and other popular culture (including film).
Imagery
Crowley uses decaying imagery as the novel wraps up, Smoky dies, and Auberon gets married to evoke feelings of sadness and show how quickly memories fade away.
Paradox
Auberon lives in a supposedly advanced society in which people are intelligent, but society elects a fascist madman to run them.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Edgewood is used as a substitute for the home that was built just outside of New York City in the United States.
Personification
The home at the center of the novel is personified.
