Rating: 
Summary: "Sympathy for the Devil", indeed
Review: I really like the premise of this book: Lucifer gets the choice of living a reasonably well-behaved mortal life and gets to return to Heaven, or he is doomed to spend life alone in absolutely nothing when the world ends (which, we are told, will be fairly soon). Lucifer is cocky, unashamed of his reputation and deeds, and in his human form (he occupies the body of one Declan Gunn) he is determined to tell his side of the story through the media of film. People like him, he's delightfully self-indulgent - and able to partake of such a lifestyle due to a little demonic tweaking of a bank account - but he keeps getting disturbed by memories and the effects of past experiences on Gunn's body. Apparently the entire body, not just the mind, has a memory. A fun read (beware of British slang if you are not familiar with it), in which Lucifer stays true to form. C'mon... how much can you expect the Devil to reform? Pride is too much fun.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm particularly hard to please, and I LOVED IT
Review: I should have written this book.Nonetheless, Glen Duncan certainly has the chops and wit to pull off what might have been simply catchpenny or trite in the hands of lesser authors. Much will be said about his uncanny ability to "humanize" Lucifer, but never once does Duncan rely on the cliche of over sentiment. His Lucifer is proud and brilliant- much like the writer himself. (And in this case the reader- hmm, unholy trinity!) Duncan's Lucifer is unwilling to be robbed of the traits he so deliciously displays as he recounts his fall, the events of the human epoch and his sttuggles against "the Old Chap", and "Jimeny Christmas." Reccomended especially to all catholics with any kind of sense of humor left. I know that's a tall order, but, if you really belive in your God, you gotta laugh; "The Old Chap" himself is quite a cutup.
Rating:
Summary: The Gospel According To Satan
Review: I tremendously admire Glen Duncan for the incredibly hard task of taking on Satan's mindset. This book is an eye-opening account of the angel of darkness lived through the flesh of a human being. And as we would all agree it is a nice piece of fiction, nevertheless, it represents the outlook of Satan, as imagined from a Judeo-Christian point of view.
However, the account has a nice twist. Instead of the total abuse and corruption in which Lucifer was intending to indulge the hosting body, he quickly learns the hard ways of the earthly consequences that are results of such behavior. He learns to deal with human pain, physical and emotional. He learns about the intricacies of human relationships, and they are not as simple as he first believed them to be.
Throughout the entire book, Lucifer, in first person mode, tells us the story of creation from Genesis to the New Testament era, while totally absorbed in a fast-pace present-day London. What an entertaining account that is. Lucifer uses a beautifully crafted language, full of vivid adjectives, dignifying of the king of temptation. As an avid Bible reader, I must admit that I kind like the Gospel according to Satan in a fictional kind of way. I am not going to comment on a theological perspective, as this is a very touchy matter.
Finally, I wanted to wrap up by recommending this book to everybody that enjoys an intelligent well-written story. After all Glen Duncan's Lucifer is not such a bad guy! He points out some of the greatest joys and pleasures in our world that we so often take for granted. Slow down and smell the roses, the subways, the stinky cheeses, the expensive fragrances, the bread while it's baking, or the stench of East river (or whatever polluted river you are near to). It's all done in good taste.
Rating:
Summary: The Devil is in the Details
Review: It was the concept of the book that caught me. After being overwhelmed with information about The Passion of the Christ, last month I began to counter program myself to the onslaught of Christian propaganda. I began to watch anything and everything that refused to take Religion(tm) seriously. I started with Lamb by Christopher Moore. I watched Life of Brian thirty times. Then, by the grace of God (or the other guy) I found this book. How perfect could a tell-all memoir by the Prince of Darkness be? The answer is, "just about". God makes Lucifer a deal. Spend a month in human form without commiting a mortal sin and receive the one thing that would tempt the devil - a free pass back into heaven with an entry level position in the angelic ranks. The book is a great big testament to the human experience and how we take everything we can for granted. The writing style gets a little over-the-top at parts, but if you remind yourself that the narrator IS the Devil, you should be able to forgive it. It's a fun read and an intriguing look at the ways of God, the meaning of Evil and the concept of salvation in general. Some people have suggested that Christians should stay away from this. While that's probably a given, I would like them to keep one thing in mind. THE NARRATOR IS THE DEVIL. If you feel that the book glorifies Satan, is full of lies and evil thoughts, you are probably right. What else do you expect from the Devil?
Rating:
Summary: The Devil is in the Details
Review: It was the concept of the book that caught me. After being overwhelmed with information about The Passion of the Christ, last month I began to counter program myself to the onslaught of Christian propaganda. I began to watch anything and everything that refused to take Religion(tm) seriously. I started with Lamb by Christopher Moore. I watched Life of Brian thirty times. Then, by the grace of God (or the other guy) I found this book. How perfect could a tell-all memoir by the Prince of Darkness be? The answer is, "just about". God makes Lucifer a deal. Spend a month in human form without commiting a mortal sin and receive the one thing that would tempt the devil - a free pass back into heaven with an entry level position in the angelic ranks. The book is a great big testament to the human experience and how we take everything we can for granted. The writing style gets a little over-the-top at parts, but if you remind yourself that the narrator IS the Devil, you should be able to forgive it. It's a fun read and an intriguing look at the ways of God, the meaning of Evil and the concept of salvation in general. Some people have suggested that Christians should stay away from this. While that's probably a given, I would like them to keep one thing in mind. THE NARRATOR IS THE DEVIL. If you feel that the book glorifies Satan, is full of lies and evil thoughts, you are probably right. What else do you expect from the Devil?
Rating:
Summary: Not For The Faint Of Heart
Review: Telling the basic plot of this story won't give anything away: God offers the Devil a deal: come to earth and take over the body of a poor soul who has just committed suicide, stay out of trouble for one month in this body, and gain re-entry into Heaven. The story is told as a confession by Lucifer himself. From this promising premise, Glen Duncan takes the reader on a verbal rocket ride which ends...well, that doesn't matter, the ride is so enjoyable. Duncan is well-versed in literature going well beyond the obvious Blake (whom Lucifer dubs "Blakey") and Milton, and clearly has a deep knowledge of New York as well as London, modern as well as ancient history. At least in its references this book is surprisingly erudite. The passages describing Lucifer's embodiment into a human being, and his evolving responses to possessing five senses, are realized fully enough to rate this book worth reading just for that vicarious experience. The author's main achievement, however, is his imagining a fully believable, fascinating, and yes, dammit, likeable Lucifer. At once biting, arch, and occasionally oddly touching, Duncan's Lucifer makes P.J. O'Rourke sound like Mister Rogers. If you are easily offended by criticism of the Almighty, of organized religion, and just about everything else, this is not the book for you. If you like your humor without cream or sugar (as for example in the film "Dogma"), give this book a try.
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Summary: Devil in the flesh
Review: The basic plot of this book is interesting: Lucifer is given a "good deal" by God. Take control of a mortal body for one month, and if he wishes to remain human afterwards, he will be reinstated into Heaven when his body dies. On that "hook" lies a very funny work. Of course the devil isn't seriously interested in redemption; he just wants to enjoy walking on earth and tasting its pleasures. Along the way we get some really humorous insights about what "actually" happened behind the stories we're told from the Bible. You won't like this book if you take your religious history seriously, but even a believer can have a little fun now and again. Remember, it's just fiction! Take it for what it's worth and enjoy the ride.
Rating:
Summary: Hellishly funny!
Review: The opening of the novel has lots of tongue-in-cheek posturing from the prince of darkness. Thinking to myself that this style could get old quick if it continued throughout. Well, the whole book *does* have that british satirical tint but instead of tiring of it, you get quite used to it. Duncan's very clever and his imitation of the devil rings true- uncannily. This book does have it's digressions, and many at that, but the story would be dull without. Lots of british vernacular here which combined with said digressions may make for a couple of confusing passages. But stick with it, as Duncan's verbal gymnastics are a treat in itself.
Rating:
Summary: well written, fun story, great book
Review: this is my idea of what true literature is. this is the kind of book that makes you feel like you have spent your time doing something worthwhile. it is both entertaining and thought provoking, and i found myself having to stop reading to mull over an idea presented. the book is written in a high grade of english without coming across as pretentious or trying too hard. the words flow naturally, there is a great rythem and cadence to it, and it is a fun story. the main character's name is an anagram of the author's name, which i thought was a nice touch, and it is an interesting excercise in speculation of how lucifer might act and think. also, throughout the book, lucifer might say something, but being the father of lies, he always adds "oh, but i am only joking" and you don't know if he really is or is not, true to his nature. definatley worth reading. and i feel i have to add that anyone offended by this book (i don't see how you could be, but...) takes themselves too seriously and is missing a fundamental fact...this book is fiction, nothing more than story. you don't have to like it, it's not for everyone, but there is no need to take offence.
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