Series
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML: The greatest philosopher of all time is offering to sell his soul to the Devil. All he wants is twenty more years to complete his life's work. After that, he really doesn't care. But the assistant demon assigned to the case has his suspicions, because the philosopher is Saloninus�??the greatest philosopher, yes, but also the greatest liar, trickster and cheat the world has yet known; the sort of man even the Father of Lies can't trust. He's almost certainly up to something; but what?
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016-03-01
Physical description
125 p.; 21 cm
Publication
New York : Tom Doherty, 2016.
Pages
125
ISBN
9780765387899
Library's review
The createst philosopher, alchemist and conman of the ages makes a deal with the devil -- his immortal soul for renewed youth, twenty years of guaranteed life, and everything he could wish for during that time. But, as the devil keeps asking himself throughout the novella ... why would such a smart
The short novel delivers on this intriguing premise, but it doesn't go beyond that. The narration -- first person, tossing back and forth between the two parties of the deal -- is well done and entertaining, and the pages breeze by. And there is a twist or two, as one would hope, and they're satisfactory. But perhaps not much more than that. It's a high bar to clear, delivering on this stellar premise, and so perhaps Parker simply set my expectations too high for his own good when I found my experience at the end to be good, but not great. That said, I see he's written two other short novels involving the same character, and I'm now intrigued to try them, so clearly, I liked it rather a lotl.
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man possibly make such a terrible deal?The short novel delivers on this intriguing premise, but it doesn't go beyond that. The narration -- first person, tossing back and forth between the two parties of the deal -- is well done and entertaining, and the pages breeze by. And there is a twist or two, as one would hope, and they're satisfactory. But perhaps not much more than that. It's a high bar to clear, delivering on this stellar premise, and so perhaps Parker simply set my expectations too high for his own good when I found my experience at the end to be good, but not great. That said, I see he's written two other short novels involving the same character, and I'm now intrigued to try them, so clearly, I liked it rather a lotl.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
In the grand Faustian tradition... 'The Devil You Know' takes a familiar tale and gives it a genuinely new twist... and a wonderfully wry dose of humor.
A brilliant and famed philosopher, entering his twilight years, decides to sell his soul to the devil. The particular devil who's sent to collect
Why, after all, would someone, especially someone so intelligent, risk eternal damnation for just a few years of temporal power?
Is it possible to actually outwit the Infernal?
This novella deserves to end up on end-of-year awards lists.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read. As always,my opinion is solely my own.
A brilliant and famed philosopher, entering his twilight years, decides to sell his soul to the devil. The particular devil who's sent to collect
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the contract (Hell is, apparently, quite the bureaucracy) happens to be a fan of the philosopher, who's known for his atheistic views and his arguments in favor of moral relativity. But, fan or no, knowing the man's history, which has involved not a few cons and schemes over the years, leads him to believe that there's some trick up his sleeve. Why, after all, would someone, especially someone so intelligent, risk eternal damnation for just a few years of temporal power?
Is it possible to actually outwit the Infernal?
This novella deserves to end up on end-of-year awards lists.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read. As always,my opinion is solely my own.
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LibraryThing member deva1984
This short novel is a good start point if you never read a Parker's work before. Saloninus, the greatest philosopher, but also the best con artist and trickster, demanded to sign a soul selling contract with a particular demon, in exchange of twenty-year youth and all such benefits you'd had from
Parker uses first person perspective from two narrators, both the demon and Saloninus, throughout this piece. He jumps between them adroitly. I first assumed one sole narrator in each chapter. But there in that "fateful" signing scene, the narrator dubiously switched from the demon to Saloninus. That, I gather, is writer's hint. However, it could also server to make text followed more ambiguous. I stopped several times guessing who's talking when it's blurring.
Plus the metaphors. I could read Saloninus not only as a combined figure of philosophers, but also an anthropological human history. Or Saloninus' desire as self-deception. The end is not so satisfying because I suppose the demon is a weak opponent. But it's really fun to guess what the writer meant those philosophical notes referring to.
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those contracts. Already the demon suspected Saloninus was "up to something". Could Saloninus get what he really want?Parker uses first person perspective from two narrators, both the demon and Saloninus, throughout this piece. He jumps between them adroitly. I first assumed one sole narrator in each chapter. But there in that "fateful" signing scene, the narrator dubiously switched from the demon to Saloninus. That, I gather, is writer's hint. However, it could also server to make text followed more ambiguous. I stopped several times guessing who's talking when it's blurring.
Plus the metaphors. I could read Saloninus not only as a combined figure of philosophers, but also an anthropological human history. Or Saloninus' desire as self-deception. The end is not so satisfying because I suppose the demon is a weak opponent. But it's really fun to guess what the writer meant those philosophical notes referring to.
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LibraryThing member ScoLgo
I liked this short novella somewhat better than the preceding volume, (Blue and Gold), but again... not really my thing. The stellar reviews of these books led me to borrow them from the library. They are both well-written with some clever dialog and decent world-building so I think the issue is
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more with me than with the author's ability to tell a tale. I can see this appealing more to other readers that enjoy this style of fantasy. Show Less
LibraryThing member antao
“I don't do evil when I'm not on duty, just as prostitutes tend not to have sex on their days off. My ideal off-shift day starts with a hot bath and the scent of black tea, followed by an hour on my balcony with a good book; then a stroll through the busy streets to view an art exhibition, hear a
In “The Devil You Know” by K. J. Parker
The underpass is vacant apart from a solitary figure headed directly toward her. A woman around Romany's own age, and not too dissimilar from how she looks.
'I see you're not taking the advice,' the police officer says nodding to the wall. 'The poster. We're advising young women to be careful not to walk alone when they don't have to. He's killed three.'
'I'm sorry, I didn't see it. I'm only headed around the corner,' Romeny replies.
'I'll walk you along. I hope you've been watching the news.'
Out of the underpass now, Romeny learns a lot about the officer. She learns her name, that she's part Irish, that she isn't a natural blonde, and the police are no closer to finding the monster.
Romeny also knows that there are no cameras here, nor are there any cameras within a square mile of this alleyway. She remembers from the maps that decorate her basement flat.
It's how she's gotten away with it for so long.
She hasn't planned on it tonight, but the night is so young and crisp and the porcelain flesh of her new friend so inviting, she doesn't see any reason why she can't play.
She reaches into her jacket pocket and thumbs the icy blade it shelters.
This will be fun, she thinks.
And again, it is.
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sermon or philosophical debate, or simply admire the mosaics in the Blue Temple.”In “The Devil You Know” by K. J. Parker
The underpass is vacant apart from a solitary figure headed directly toward her. A woman around Romany's own age, and not too dissimilar from how she looks.
'I see you're not taking the advice,' the police officer says nodding to the wall. 'The poster. We're advising young women to be careful not to walk alone when they don't have to. He's killed three.'
'I'm sorry, I didn't see it. I'm only headed around the corner,' Romeny replies.
'I'll walk you along. I hope you've been watching the news.'
Out of the underpass now, Romeny learns a lot about the officer. She learns her name, that she's part Irish, that she isn't a natural blonde, and the police are no closer to finding the monster.
Romeny also knows that there are no cameras here, nor are there any cameras within a square mile of this alleyway. She remembers from the maps that decorate her basement flat.
It's how she's gotten away with it for so long.
She hasn't planned on it tonight, but the night is so young and crisp and the porcelain flesh of her new friend so inviting, she doesn't see any reason why she can't play.
She reaches into her jacket pocket and thumbs the icy blade it shelters.
This will be fun, she thinks.
And again, it is.
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LibraryThing member LisCarey
Saloninus is the greatest philosopher of all time.
He's also the greatest liar and trickster of all time.
So when he offers to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for a mere twenty years to complete his life's work, the assistant devil assigned to handle his case is certain he's up to something.
It would be wrong to say more than that. The story is funny, and tricky, and we get both the assistant devil's side of the story, and Saloninus' side. Enjoy!
Recommended.
He's also the greatest liar and trickster of all time.
So when he offers to sell his soul to the devil in exchange for a mere twenty years to complete his life's work, the assistant devil assigned to handle his case is certain he's up to something.
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But what? The contract, as always, is airtight; the Lord of Lies has the very best lawyers.It would be wrong to say more than that. The story is funny, and tricky, and we get both the assistant devil's side of the story, and Saloninus' side. Enjoy!
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member Kurt.Rocourt
That was a fun read. It's a book that reminds you what good characters do for any book. The only problems are that sometimes your not sure who is say what? Thats a simple problem with a simple solution. Simple reasoning is the core strength of the story. While you believe the protagonist has a
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devious cunning plan the truth is simpler. There is a logic gap that you realize at the end but it does nothing to take away from what you've read. I'm looking forward to reading more of this authors works. This book was a well executed story. Show Less
Media reviews
Tor.com
Add to the cleverly-conceived characters The Devil You Know depends upon any number of K. J. Parker’s other trademarks: droll dialogue; engrossing asides; the winningly disinterested way he works in worldbuilding; a smorgasbord of semi-colons; and finally a feeling, from the first, that there’s
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more to this story than meets the eye. Show Less