Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee Published by: Navpress (2007) 311 pages Rating: 10/10 Buy it Now:    Also by Tosca Lee: Havah: The Story of Eve

At first glance, you'd probably be inclined to write this book off as a Screwtape Letters ripoff. While it certainly owes something to that classic by C.S. Lewis, Demon: A Memoir is something far, far different.

The aptly-named Clay is an editor for a small Boston press. Recently divorced, his life feels meaningless and drab. Everything changes when someone named Lucian meets him in a restaurant, announces that he is, in fact, a demon, and wants Clay to write his story. Lucian explains that he's going to tell his story, Clay will transcribe it, and publish it.

More intriguingly, Lucian tells Clay that the story is actually CLAY'S story, as well. Puzzled as to how this could be, Clay listens intently, becoming steadily more and more obsessed with Lucian's tale. Nothing else matters... except finding out how it ends.

Lucian's tale is, by turns, both chilling and awe-inspiring. Beginning with Creation and Lucifer's rebellion, he provides the demonic perspective on the historical events of the Bible, most stunningly at the Incarnation. At times, his story can almost arouse "sympathy for the devil," but he quickly reminds both Clay and his readers who he really is.

Lucian's narrative is woven through the activities of Clay's own life, which continues to spiral out of control. The "recent divorce" theme is one that is starting to get overused in Christian fiction, but in this story, it ties in perfectly with the demonic narrative (and actions). Clay's obsession with finding out how the story ends, and how it could possibly be connected with himself, quickly becomes the reader's obsession, as well.

This book can create new appreciation for the wonders of Creation, of the Incarnation, and of the absolute miracle of forgiveness, at the same time that it creates renewed horror of the spiritual forces assembled against humanity. Highly Recommended.