Father of Lies

By: Brian Evenson

Narrated by: Mauro Hantman

A fearless, scathing, and irresistible novel about madness, power, and the hypocrisy of religious institutions.

Lay provost Eldon Fochs is a happily married father of four. Based on his disturbing dreams, he may also be a sex criminal. His therapist isn’t sure, and his church is determined to protect its reputation. Written from the perspectives of Fochs, his analyst Dr. Alexander Feshtig, and the letters exchanged between Feshtig and his superiors in the church hierarchy, Father of Lies is Brian Evenson’s fable of power, paranoia, and the dangers of blind obedience. It offers a terrifying vision of how far institutions will go to protect themselves against the innocents who may be their victims.

This edition includes an introduction by Samuel R. Delaney (Dhalgren).

“Evenson’s literary genius lay in his ability to spread reasonable doubt and blur lines of inquiry.” —New York Journal of Books

“Father of Lies stands out among Evenson’s work as the most institutionally critical, morally unsettling.” —Vice

“Packed with the kind of psychological tension that creates classics and a critique of organized religion that’s too loud, clear, and sharp to ignore.” —Horror Talk

“[Evenson’s] scary fictional treatment of church hypocrisy has the feeling of a reasoned attack on blind religious obedience.” —Publishers Weekly

©1998 Brian Evenson (P)2022 Audible, Inc.

Disturbing masterpiece

Agh - I don’t like the way I feel right now. Kind of rattled. Just a book, but deeply disturbing.

A new genre of religious horror perhaps?

I love the premise of the story but I am also so well aware that this whole story may be all too true and that’s where the real horror lies.

absolutely great

I love the story but it's very dark and disturbing for people to read under the age at least 18 just due to the plot. absolutely great sometimes I think this is pretty accurate or could be truth in our world. love it!

Brilliant but disturbing

Evenson is a genius. Very intense story with a very real underbelly. Intense and disturbing descriptions of rape and assault, particularly of children. Tough to get through at times. Not my favorite of his, but still recognize his brilliance.

Callous and disturbing

Short but haunting. I’ll definitely be adding more from Evenson in my collection! Highly recommend