Dialogues with the Devil

A Novel

By: Taylor Caldwell

Narrated by: Adam Verner

From a number one New York Times best-selling author: Lucifer and the Archangel Michael debate the fate of humanity in the final nights before the apocalypse.

Upon the end of days, Lucifer, the Fallen One, that Infernal of Infernals and Murderer of Hope, wonders if his Father will bother to raise another race after Armageddon. After all, he'll only have to tempt them - again - to certain death. Their choice, not his. On God's behalf, Archangel Michael responds. So begins a series of letters between two brothers, at once cordial and combative, about their purpose, their fears, their familial estrangement, and their Father's great folly: the human race.

Equally defensive, unrepentant, objective, and, for a time, amused, they challenge each other on science and spirituality, physical love and emotional love, the crucifixion, and the crimes committed by man. They deliberate the virtues of empathy and vengeance, redemption and punishment, and the laws of the Bible versus its lies. Their civil discourse soon becomes a heated trial of wills.

©1967 Taylor Caldwell (P)2021 Tantor

Nice cover. That's it.

Dialogues with the Devil review

Pompously narrow and unimaginative writing. Characters have identical mannerisms and beat-it-over-your-head presentation styles.

Narration joins the melee, adding even more to the lousy character development.

It's like the author and the narrator both attend the same legalistic, pew-laden church.

Don't waste your time.

WOW! What a surprise!

I was shocked at how good this was! What an interesting take on Lucifer’s relationship with the other angels. This was a page turner for me and really challenged my thoughts on how BIG God really is, His creation (are we really the only ones?), and His relationship with His creation (including the angels). Beautiful.

The Daystar

Lucifer has all the power and nobility of Satan in Paradise Lost. His insight meant of God is unanswerable.

SIMPLE, yet UNIQUELY ORIGINAL!! “mood” listen tho!

(I give below vague, but accurate topics the 2 former brother Angels discuss. You’ll see them beginning w/ •bullet points) no spoilers!!!

This is absolutely straight forward. It’s literally letters going back & forth (debating) between LUCIFER & the ARC ANGEL MICHAEL. That’s it lol. Which will either interest you… or not at ALL.

Adam Verner did overall a great job!!! Michael & Lucifer I have to say… DIDNT vary much in voice however, so much so that if I didn’t hear the current letters author.. at times I would not be fully sure WHO is speaking. Lucifer DOES I suppose have a BIT more of a snarky, prideful tone.. but yeah. Very similar… however, he absolutely pulls you in, making you feel these are 2 ancient beings actually arguing!! Credit for that :)

It’s obviously total fiction, but interestingly enough … unless I missed something, it’s a debate on the value of humanity, but NOT on Earth. It’s a totally unique planet (not sure why… maybe to give freedom of events n such..?) I believe it’s named, “Terra”??? If I’m not mistaken.

Also… something I found kinda interesting as well, they really DONT get into biblical arguments at all. Basically everything they’re arguing is philosophy, & the inherent value of human beings. The worthiness of humans.

That’s essentially it lol. Which sounds kind of odd. How could one fill hours upon hours of simply, 2 Angels (Michael vs The Devil) literally responding to each other in letters!? Well, I was pleased to find out that it actually wasn’t boring really. The philosophical debates were at times FASCINATING actually… & largely NOT using Christianities Bible to back up/make claims … gave it a unique aspect… where you were never quite sure what you were going to hear as an answer or rebuttal. It allowed the author to be as original as he wanted regarding this worlds, RULES/LAWS/MORALITY/RELIGION/EVENTS/HISTORY/TEACHINGS/ etc etc. so he wasn’t bound by the Bible.

Being 100% FICTION (even the WORLD it’s on is fictional!) you must go into it w/ an OPEN mind, not expecting to only hear Biblical preaching, or standard Christian go answers. If someone comes into it expecting a very Bible based, CHRISTIAN centered story…? They’ll be kind of disappointed INFACT… i don’t recall if Christianity/Islam/Judaism etc even EXIST in this story, it’s not made clear what SCRIPTURE says is right from wrong… which is NEAT, because it really opens the overall story up to be taken in different ways! Maybe what Earthly religions know & teach is TOTALLY different from this worlds doctrine! This allows the 2 Angels to debate & argue simply on HUMANITIES VALUE IN GODS EYES… that’s IT. That aspect I found… very unique, & totally didn’t expect it!

- clearly it’s not meant to be taken literal haha. But yeah… overall it was fun!!

I WILL SAY… it ABSOLUTELY *IS* A “MOOD” KINDA LISTEN! If that makes sense… I found if I wasn’t VERY CHILL/RELAXED, clear minded… I struggled to really get into it…this *ISNT* meant to be SUSPENSEFUL, FAST PACED, INTESE ACTION! Haha, it’s literally 2 infinitely old ANGELS that are very calm & deeply focused, simply DEBATING … mostly HUMANITIES VALUE/WORTH! Hence… MOOD TYPE LISTEN. :)

I ENJOYED IT OVERALL! I didn’t much get the reason besides, “wouldn’t this be a COOL book topic!?!” Lol which yeah it is I suppose.

I am kind of a power listener… I tend to crush a FULL audiobook between 1-5 sittings. So I typically listen for 2-5+ hrs per night… however, THIS.. due to the context, tone, & again… overall… WAY the content is delivered (in calm, slower speaking, deeply focused voices back & forth) it did take me about 15 days to finish it. I’d listen for 25 min - an hour at a time every other day or so. However, if I were on a camping trip, visiting family, on a long plane flight, or anywhere that I had to QUIETLY pass time…? You could for sure crush this within 1-3 days easily.

The main debate topics (NOT necessarily in chronological order!!) if I recall are essentially:

•Lucifer arguing that humanity ISNT worthy of God love, nor his view of their value.

•Michael arguing that it isn’t for Angels to decide what God takes interest in, or values.

•Lucifer goes over the countless evils caused by humanity. As well as the way humans can often have a cruel/evil/ungrateful attitude.

•Michael argues that Lucifer himself helps push humans TO these immoral/evil situations, & is therefore in no position, & is hypocritical.

•Lucifer boasts about the number of souls he has claimed, VS how many God has won over.

•Michael speaking on Lucifers pride, & his flaws causing him to fall to begin with.

• Lucifer claiming that HE will show God that he was wrong choosing humans, & will also make humans pay for their disobedience, & such. While also having a deep desire to “PROVE” that God made a mistake putting man above angels.

•BOTH repeatedly express their deep respect, & love for one another still.

•BOTH try to assert dominance/superiority over each other.. LUCIFER speaks how HE was Gods most favored & perfect creation. Michael speaks how HE was the “good” son to God, being loyal, & being obedient to God. Something Lucifer couldn’t do, showing his weakness.

•BOTH spend multiple letters (responses) speaking about History & Historical events on, “Terra” I believe it’s called?? (The Earth like planet) Michael attempts to highlight humanities GOOD during it… Lucifer attempts to highlight the evil.

In closing… it’s a neat listen! Good job by Adam on voices… a MOOD LISTEN for sure… & *NOT* just for religious folks, this is MUCH *MORE* about the basic straight forward value/worth of HUMANITY vs our evils… as it is about GOD himself, or Religion. Religion is almost a non-factor in it. Humanity being unworthy of Gods love (OR ANY LOVE) being mentioned now & then is about as Religious as it ever gets.

I’m glad I own it. Will be fun to revisit after some time.

OVERALL: 7.5/10