Dialogues with the Devil [Mass Market Paperback]

Taylor Caldwell (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett (August 12, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449215083
• ISBN-13: 978-0449215081
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 3.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,790,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unsettling book - makes you wonder!, October 20, 2000

By 

David Rasquinha (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dialogues With the Devil (Hardcover)

This is one of those books where the author is almost incidental; the protagonists (Michael and Lucifer) have taken over the book completely. I thought when I began the book that this was just another cute idea, but soon found myself lost in the power of the debate within the first few pages. This is an unsettling book. It manages to challenge just about every idea and comes up with some real insights. For instance the genuine love of Lucifer for the Creator! Not at all what one would expect from scriptures! The fatal antagonism springs from Lucifer's near indignation over the imperfections of humankind, which in his distorted perception are an affront to the Creator and his works, and hence must be wiped out. Mercy has no place in Lucifer's Weltanschaung; a jealous pride dominates all other emotions. Yet he is not a figure of evil per se; his motivation is to vindicate himself before the Creator, and to that end he is prepared to lay waste to all. By contrast Michael, despite the classical illustrations of a stern visage with a flaming sword, is painted as a personage of deep empathy, rather than vengeance. Each time I have re-read this book it has left me shaken and humbled, and I have learned new insights each time. When first published this book must have raised a storm. Today, it is still a prize, even though many of its gender and other stereotypes, now outdated, can be annoying at times. Try to read it in the context of its times. Also the Judeo-Christian theological context makes for a restricted readership. For all that however, this has a firm place on my shelf of favorites. Well worth a try.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dialogues with the Devil, May 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dialogues With the Devil (Hardcover)

First published in 1967, it's a moving piece of work. Lucifer is presented in the old Hebrew/Christian tradition ... not totally fallen ... not beyond redemption until he tempts mankind into complete destruction. The book is a series of letters between Michael the Arch Angel, and his brother. They each present humanity's case from their respective points of view ... Lucifer's as God's great mistake, giving us immortal souls ... Michael is our defender. It is well worth the read. And make sure you check out the prologue.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Beautiful Book, March 18, 2001

By 

Beverly DeForde "Terra Rouge" (Taunton, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dialogues With the Devil (Hardcover)

This book is very topical today. The world is in a state of chaos that this book describes all too well. Janet sees through other eyes, as always and keeps your interest until the last word. St. Michael can nearly make you pity poor Luciel, but in the final analysis, it is God's will being done. I have read it many times and will read it many more times. I believe anyone would benefit from reading it. I am thankful that there have been writers like Janet Taylor Caldwell. She has never written a bad book. Now all I am looking for is a hardbound copy. My old paperback is falling apart!