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Azazel
This story collection contains: The Two-Centimeter Demon; One Night of Song; The Smile That Loses; To the Victor; The Dim Rumble; Saving Humanity; A Matter of Principle; The Evil Drink Does; Writing Time; Dashing Through the Snow; Logic is Logic; He Travels the Fastest; The Eye of the Beholder; More Things in Heaven and Earth; The Mind's Construction; The Flights of Spring; Galatea; and Flight of Fancy. Cover by Robert Goldstrum. In 1986, Isaac Asimov was presented with the Nebula Grand Masters Award for lifetime achievement.
221 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
92 people are currently reading
2700 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,337 books27.6k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
June 6, 2016
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️[6/10]
Isaac Asimov should be sued for plagiarism. Pfft.. Never mind. Especially when the supposed plaintiff is a moron. George Bitternut - you will learn of his ancestry(and how Betterknut became Bitternut), won't you? In this series of short stories, we are told that Bitternut has learnt the arcane art of summoning Azazel , who is
⚫️A demon.
⚫️A good-natured demon. It wreaks havoc on people's lives. And... their lives take a turn for the worse.
Worse how?
1️⃣ The Two-centimetre Demon:
A jock becomes a WHAT? He is simply going to master the game of basketball. Azazel is going to make sure it happens. What happens instead? He overdoes it.
And, he becomes a physicist, worst of all!
2️⃣ One Night of Song:
A sopranist becomes a WHAT? She is supposed to enthrall the audience with her high note. And, Azazel jumps in to help. But, what happens when Azazel won't be around the next time?
And, her jilted lover won't listen to anyone sing anymore, worst of all!
George's incredible account of Azazel's ludic behaviour is certainly bound to entertain the readers. Asimov's asinine ideas hold sway in every way, because he is..well, Isaac Asimov!
Isaac Asimov should be sued for plagiarism. Pfft.. Never mind. Especially when the supposed plaintiff is a moron. George Bitternut - you will learn of his ancestry(and how Betterknut became Bitternut), won't you? In this series of short stories, we are told that Bitternut has learnt the arcane art of summoning Azazel , who is
⚫️A demon.
⚫️A good-natured demon. It wreaks havoc on people's lives. And... their lives take a turn for the worse.
Worse how?
1️⃣ The Two-centimetre Demon:
A jock becomes a WHAT? He is simply going to master the game of basketball. Azazel is going to make sure it happens. What happens instead? He overdoes it.
And, he becomes a physicist, worst of all!
2️⃣ One Night of Song:
A sopranist becomes a WHAT? She is supposed to enthrall the audience with her high note. And, Azazel jumps in to help. But, what happens when Azazel won't be around the next time?
And, her jilted lover won't listen to anyone sing anymore, worst of all!
George's incredible account of Azazel's ludic behaviour is certainly bound to entertain the readers. Asimov's asinine ideas hold sway in every way, because he is..well, Isaac Asimov!
November 3, 2015
I try hard not to believe what my friend George tells me. How can I possibly believe a man who tells me he has access to a two-centimeter tall demon he calls Azazel; a demon who is really an extraterrestrial personage of extraordinary, but strictly limited, powers?
As it seems to happen anytime someone is granted a wish by a supernatural being, Azazel's "fixes" tend to backfire, or at least go a little cattywampus. There are eighteen pretty funny stories here about how things tend to go pear-shaped when Azazel is called upon to lend a hand.
Take the case of the woman who longed for her husband to take her to Paris. With a certain demon's help, he learned that he REALLY LIKES TO TRAVEL, but his wife is not too happy with the change in her hubby.
She said, " He's getting started again next week. He said he wants to cross the Pacific and go to Hong Kong. He's going on an oil freighter. He says that's the way to see the ocean. I said, 'Listen you screwball creep, you ain't going to get me on no slow boat to China so I can be all to yourself alone.'"
"Very poetic," I said.
"And you know what he said? He said, 'Very well, my dear. I'll go without you.' Then he said something real weird because it made no sense. He said, 'Down to Gehanna or up to the Throne, he travels the fastest who travels alone.' What does that mean? What's Gehenna? How did a throne get into it? Does he think he's queen of England?"
"It's Kipling," I said.
"Don't be crazy. I never kippled so don't tell me he did. He can hardly do it missionary."
I didn't realize Asimov was so witty, but I got more laughs out of this one than the last Wodehouse I read. So, give this a try. Even if you don't find the stories funny, you'll at least learn some valuable lessons in getting others to pick up the check.
As it seems to happen anytime someone is granted a wish by a supernatural being, Azazel's "fixes" tend to backfire, or at least go a little cattywampus. There are eighteen pretty funny stories here about how things tend to go pear-shaped when Azazel is called upon to lend a hand.
Take the case of the woman who longed for her husband to take her to Paris. With a certain demon's help, he learned that he REALLY LIKES TO TRAVEL, but his wife is not too happy with the change in her hubby.
She said, " He's getting started again next week. He said he wants to cross the Pacific and go to Hong Kong. He's going on an oil freighter. He says that's the way to see the ocean. I said, 'Listen you screwball creep, you ain't going to get me on no slow boat to China so I can be all to yourself alone.'"
"Very poetic," I said.
"And you know what he said? He said, 'Very well, my dear. I'll go without you.' Then he said something real weird because it made no sense. He said, 'Down to Gehanna or up to the Throne, he travels the fastest who travels alone.' What does that mean? What's Gehenna? How did a throne get into it? Does he think he's queen of England?"
"It's Kipling," I said.
"Don't be crazy. I never kippled so don't tell me he did. He can hardly do it missionary."
I didn't realize Asimov was so witty, but I got more laughs out of this one than the last Wodehouse I read. So, give this a try. Even if you don't find the stories funny, you'll at least learn some valuable lessons in getting others to pick up the check.
June 30, 2024
Много симпатичен и забавен сборник! Азимов се е вдъхновил от творбите на Удхаус, за да разкаже хумористичните истории на главния герой Джордж, чиито странни желания изпълнява дяволчето Азазел. Любимите ми разкази са „Една песенна нощ“, „Време за писане“ и „Полетът на фантазията“.
March 23, 2023
This is a light and quirky little collection of eighteen humorous stories that Asimov wrote featuring George Bitternut and his titular associate, who's a two-centimeter-tall fiery red imp with mighty magical powers. They're humorous stories in the style of P.G. Wodehouse that detail how Azazel's well-intentioned attempts to help people lead to inevitable chaos and confusion. They're a bit dated now, but still good for some good-hearted chuckles.
April 30, 2018
This very book about a little deamon & his silly adventure it not a witchcraft book even if it is about a demon it Across between Terry Preatcher & Piers Anthony
November 2, 2025
Muchos lo critican por su sencillez pensando que traeria implicaciones filosóficas sobre nuestra propia moral o ética que nos es impartida a través de toda la vida. Y no, simplemente son cuentitos de un diablo liandosela a todos. Y lo amo por eso.
Muy buenos para pasar el rato, puedes reirte como enfermo con ciertos cuentitos, algunos estan de más y otros los pasaras sin pena ni gloria. Pero su simpleza es tan bella y pura, no aspira a nada, sólo entretener y si, Asimov lo hace increible.
Muy buenos para pasar el rato, puedes reirte como enfermo con ciertos cuentitos, algunos estan de más y otros los pasaras sin pena ni gloria. Pero su simpleza es tan bella y pura, no aspira a nada, sólo entretener y si, Asimov lo hace increible.
January 18, 2012
Do you remember the old saying: be careful of what you wish for? Or some of the tales in the Qu'ran that mentions the Jinn/Genies; or even better, do you remember The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights? If you do, then you grasp the concept of this collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov.
If you've read other works by Asimov, then you'll notice that the style of this short story collection is quite a bit different from what you may remember from, for instance, his "Foundation"-series. The stories here are short, light and easily read in one sitting. Some of the stories are more memorable than others, which one would expect from a collection of short stories. Some of the stories that I enjoyed the most were "The Dim Rumble" and "The Smile that Looses".
The humour in this book is throughout sarcastic, something that I personally enjoy a lot. The satire and underlying social commentary, that is thrown in for good measure here and there, is quite refreshing also. Not something that I would expect from a work of fantasy.
Like other reviewers have mentioned elsewhere, this book could have benefited from having fewer stories than the 18 it has, for they do tend to get a bit repetitive in the long run. After all, how much variation of the theme can there be? Get a 1" high demon to grant you a wish on someone else's behalf, in order to improve that persons life to the better, but instead the results turns out to be quite the opposite and disastrous. Because of this I would advice you not to read more than 1-2 stories in one sitting, and when you do pick the stories up, try to have some time go between them. For they are fun and enjoyable reads, you just don't want too much at once. Less is more, so to speak.
If you've read other works by Asimov, then you'll notice that the style of this short story collection is quite a bit different from what you may remember from, for instance, his "Foundation"-series. The stories here are short, light and easily read in one sitting. Some of the stories are more memorable than others, which one would expect from a collection of short stories. Some of the stories that I enjoyed the most were "The Dim Rumble" and "The Smile that Looses".
The humour in this book is throughout sarcastic, something that I personally enjoy a lot. The satire and underlying social commentary, that is thrown in for good measure here and there, is quite refreshing also. Not something that I would expect from a work of fantasy.
Like other reviewers have mentioned elsewhere, this book could have benefited from having fewer stories than the 18 it has, for they do tend to get a bit repetitive in the long run. After all, how much variation of the theme can there be? Get a 1" high demon to grant you a wish on someone else's behalf, in order to improve that persons life to the better, but instead the results turns out to be quite the opposite and disastrous. Because of this I would advice you not to read more than 1-2 stories in one sitting, and when you do pick the stories up, try to have some time go between them. For they are fun and enjoyable reads, you just don't want too much at once. Less is more, so to speak.
May 17, 2022
عزازیل ابلیسی دو سانتی است که از آن ماجراها و داستانهایی مختلف و جدا و در عین حال پیوسته بیان میشود. ماجرا در مورد نویسندهای بینام است که همراه با دوستش به نام جرج که آن توانایی احضار این ابلیس دو سانتی را دارد، در جریان است. جرج شخصیتی مهربان و بیآزار و البته باهوش است. از طرفی هم شخصیت نویسنده در داستان که خود را به طور کامل معرفی نمیکند همان آیزاک آسیموف است که نشان از دورانی از سالهای کاریاش دارد که شناخته شده نبود.
دیگه همه آسیموف رو به عنوان نویسندهی بیرقیب ادبیات علمی-تخیلی میشناسیم اما "عزازیل" یک اثر متفاوت از این نویسنده است. کتابی که علمی-تخیلی نیست اما باز هم جذابه. آسیموف اسم عزازیل رو از انجیل اقتباس کرده و در تمامی داستانهای این کتاب اون رو به عنوان یک ابلیس کوتاهِ دو سانتی معرفی میکنه که تواناییهای خاصی داره تا اینکه به داستان آخر میرسیم و شخصیت عزازیل از ابلیس به روح بَدل میشه.
به نظرم کتاب جالبی بود، ایدهش رو پسندیدم چون آسیموف خلاقیتهای جالبی به خرج داده. هم شخصیت شیطان رو وارد داستان کرده، هم اینکه خودش رو به صورت نامحسوس و بدون اینکه معرفی بکنه به عنوان یکی از کاراکترهای داستان در پیشبرد ماجراها دخیل کرده، و البته شخصیت جالب جرج که میتونه این ابلیس کوتوله رو احضار کنه.
اگر از طرفداران آسیموف هستید و کارهای خفنش رو دنبال میکنید میتونید "عزازیل" رو هم جز لیست مطالعهتون قرار بدید چون نه تنها قلم قویای داره بلکه یک کتاب دیگه از آسیموف اما اینبار در ژانری به جز علمی-تخیلی در انتظارتونه. اگر هم از آسیموف چیزی نخوندید و ادبیات علمی-تخیلی رو دنبال نمیکنید باز هم میتونید "عزازیل" رو مطالعه کنید.
دیگه همه آسیموف رو به عنوان نویسندهی بیرقیب ادبیات علمی-تخیلی میشناسیم اما "عزازیل" یک اثر متفاوت از این نویسنده است. کتابی که علمی-تخیلی نیست اما باز هم جذابه. آسیموف اسم عزازیل رو از انجیل اقتباس کرده و در تمامی داستانهای این کتاب اون رو به عنوان یک ابلیس کوتاهِ دو سانتی معرفی میکنه که تواناییهای خاصی داره تا اینکه به داستان آخر میرسیم و شخصیت عزازیل از ابلیس به روح بَدل میشه.
به نظرم کتاب جالبی بود، ایدهش رو پسندیدم چون آسیموف خلاقیتهای جالبی به خرج داده. هم شخصیت شیطان رو وارد داستان کرده، هم اینکه خودش رو به صورت نامحسوس و بدون اینکه معرفی بکنه به عنوان یکی از کاراکترهای داستان در پیشبرد ماجراها دخیل کرده، و البته شخصیت جالب جرج که میتونه این ابلیس کوتوله رو احضار کنه.
اگر از طرفداران آسیموف هستید و کارهای خفنش رو دنبال میکنید میتونید "عزازیل" رو هم جز لیست مطالعهتون قرار بدید چون نه تنها قلم قویای داره بلکه یک کتاب دیگه از آسیموف اما اینبار در ژانری به جز علمی-تخیلی در انتظارتونه. اگر هم از آسیموف چیزی نخوندید و ادبیات علمی-تخیلی رو دنبال نمیکنید باز هم میتونید "عزازیل" رو مطالعه کنید.
August 4, 2008
In the latter half of the introduction - which, by the way, I consider one of the best parts of the book - Asimov warns readers that the style is more reminiscent of PG Wodehouse than it is vintage Asimov. This assessment is certainly true, and accounts for what I both loved and hated most about Azazel. The humor is undeniably brilliant. The spoken and implied dialogue is charming and witty, especially the insults directed towards Asimov himself. But the collection of short stories is like a basic sitcom; no matter how well-written or well-acted, the storylines all begin to sound the same after a while. By the end I was reading the dialogue-heavy beginning and end of each story with enthusiasm but trudging through the middle when the dimwitted and pompous storyteller and his 2cm tall demon would inevitably ruin someone's life trying to 'fix' it. I'd suggest that readers take a long time between stories to better savor them, and I'd tell Asimov he should have included 10 stories instead of 18. Perhaps I would suffer the same disappointment if I read my entire Jeeves collection back to back, but I'm not about to try.
April 29, 2019
Лека му пръст на Маестрото, за пореден път се убеждавам, че с каквото се захванеше, го правеше брилянтно. Бонбонче 😍
December 8, 2018
Excelentes historias, para pasar un buen rato cada día. En algunos relatos es fcil adivinar que es lo que va a salir mal con cada deseo, pero aún así muy entretenido...
August 23, 2016
Este libro es la razón por la que pasé mi adolescencia leyendo novelas y relatos del buen doctor Asimov.
Azazel es un conjunto de relatos sobre un bienintencionado demonio de bolsillo que se dedica a cumplir deseos. ¿A cambio de que´? A cambio de nada, es un diablillo altruista. Pero cada deseo cumplido tiene su revés y más valdría haber dejado las cosas como estaban.
Asimov da un par de lecciones al lector en estos relatos y nos deja pensando sobre lo que tenemos, nuestras limitaciones y problemas cotidianos, nos recuerda que cuando pensamos que nada podría ser peor es porque nos falta imaginación. Asimov logra mezclar la rutina y lo cotidiano con la fantasía y la ficción. El humor no falta en este libro y está muy bien logrado, reí de principio a fin. La estructura de los relatos se repite sin llegar a ser aburrida ni predecible, cada relato tiene su propio giro y sorpresa.
Asimov era científico y filósofo, toda su obra está impregnada de esta dicotomía. En este libro encontré un balance perfecto entre preguntas sobre el sentido de las cosas y un intento de explicar todo de manera científica, además entra en juego el humor como un tercer elemento que en vez de ser un añadido forzado o simplemente romper con la tensión de la dicotomía asimoviana, da un equilibro perfecto que logra que la lectura de este libro sea exquisita.
Otra cosa que vale la pena mencionar es que he encontrado quienes no han leído nada de Asimov por creer que toda su obra versa sobre viajes intergaláctigos y robots. Ésta es un excelente libro tanto para aquellos que quieran empezar a conocer la narrativa asimoviana como para aquellos que no disfrutan de la ciencia ficción pero saben apreciar un buen libro.
Azazel es un conjunto de relatos sobre un bienintencionado demonio de bolsillo que se dedica a cumplir deseos. ¿A cambio de que´? A cambio de nada, es un diablillo altruista. Pero cada deseo cumplido tiene su revés y más valdría haber dejado las cosas como estaban.
Asimov da un par de lecciones al lector en estos relatos y nos deja pensando sobre lo que tenemos, nuestras limitaciones y problemas cotidianos, nos recuerda que cuando pensamos que nada podría ser peor es porque nos falta imaginación. Asimov logra mezclar la rutina y lo cotidiano con la fantasía y la ficción. El humor no falta en este libro y está muy bien logrado, reí de principio a fin. La estructura de los relatos se repite sin llegar a ser aburrida ni predecible, cada relato tiene su propio giro y sorpresa.
Asimov era científico y filósofo, toda su obra está impregnada de esta dicotomía. En este libro encontré un balance perfecto entre preguntas sobre el sentido de las cosas y un intento de explicar todo de manera científica, además entra en juego el humor como un tercer elemento que en vez de ser un añadido forzado o simplemente romper con la tensión de la dicotomía asimoviana, da un equilibro perfecto que logra que la lectura de este libro sea exquisita.
Otra cosa que vale la pena mencionar es que he encontrado quienes no han leído nada de Asimov por creer que toda su obra versa sobre viajes intergaláctigos y robots. Ésta es un excelente libro tanto para aquellos que quieran empezar a conocer la narrativa asimoviana como para aquellos que no disfrutan de la ciencia ficción pero saben apreciar un buen libro.
September 23, 2021
Una colección de relatos que involucran a un pequeño demonio/ser extraterrestre/extradimensional, no se aclara pero puede ser todo, llamado Azazel y George un vividor, del tipo de amigos que sabemos que son zánganos pero por alguna razón nos caen bien, ya sea porque son buenos conversadores, tienen divertidas anécdotas o algo por el estilo, y este personaje le cuenta sus peripecias junto con este ser a el mismo Asimov que nos las escribe a nosotros.
Un libro bastante diferente a lo que usualmente nos encontramos con Asimov, es cierto que el maestro escribía de todos los temas, pero lo ubicamos más en ciencia ficción. Aquí adereza un poco con el tema, en realidad es un libro de humor y fantasía, por momentos creí leer a Bradbury, ya que es por el estilo lo que estaba plasmado en esa prosa, sin embargo tienen sus distancias.
Un libro ameno, un pacto con el diablo que termina en desgracia por el desinterés de uno y la estupidez y codicia del otro, con los comentarios que seguramente Asimov recibía y tenía en mente sobre algunos personajes, críticos, etc0. Una comedia un tanto picaresca, algo distinto y agradable con buen ritmo y relatos de no más de 8 hojas en promedio.
Una lectura muy amena, conozcas o no al autor, durante tiempo busqué el libro y no había querido leer hasta que fuera el momento, ya lo fue y lo disfruté mucho, si lo llegan a encontrar de segunda mano no duden, si en encuentran la pasta dura avísenme donde para comprarlo, ya que ya no ha sido editado nuevamente y me gustaría tener esa edición en mi colección.
Un libro bastante diferente a lo que usualmente nos encontramos con Asimov, es cierto que el maestro escribía de todos los temas, pero lo ubicamos más en ciencia ficción. Aquí adereza un poco con el tema, en realidad es un libro de humor y fantasía, por momentos creí leer a Bradbury, ya que es por el estilo lo que estaba plasmado en esa prosa, sin embargo tienen sus distancias.
Un libro ameno, un pacto con el diablo que termina en desgracia por el desinterés de uno y la estupidez y codicia del otro, con los comentarios que seguramente Asimov recibía y tenía en mente sobre algunos personajes, críticos, etc0. Una comedia un tanto picaresca, algo distinto y agradable con buen ritmo y relatos de no más de 8 hojas en promedio.
Una lectura muy amena, conozcas o no al autor, durante tiempo busqué el libro y no había querido leer hasta que fuera el momento, ya lo fue y lo disfruté mucho, si lo llegan a encontrar de segunda mano no duden, si en encuentran la pasta dura avísenme donde para comprarlo, ya que ya no ha sido editado nuevamente y me gustaría tener esa edición en mi colección.
May 18, 2021
Ez bizony nem sci-fi, nem is igazán fantasy. Rövid történetek, novella-füzérek, rólunk emberekről, ironikus-önironikus mesék.
Vigyázz, mit kívánsz! Netán egy kis démon teljesíti, és paff!
Nem ismertem az író szatirikus oldalát, de tetszett. Nehéz folyamatosan olvasni, időnként
egy-egy adagja szórakoztató.
Vigyázz, mit kívánsz! Netán egy kis démon teljesíti, és paff!
Nem ismertem az író szatirikus oldalát, de tetszett. Nehéz folyamatosan olvasni, időnként
egy-egy adagja szórakoztató.
May 3, 2017
Una colección de cuentos genial. Trata de un demonio pequeño, Azazel, que cumple deseos para el hombre que lo invoca. Es la clásica trama de "cuidado con lo que deseas porque un genio cretino demasiado literal (o demasiado ambiguo, según sea el caso) va a encontrar el modo de que el deseo se vuelva en tu contra". Debido a que una premisa así dándose en reiteradas ocasiones corre el riesgo de hacer que sintamos demasiada lástima por el hombre en cuestión en lugar de causar risa, Asimov fue lo bastante prudente para hacer al hombre pomposo, engreído, con una opinión demasiado elevada de sí mismo y egoísta (cuando pide un deseo para ayudar a otro, es para sentirse bien consigo mismo al saber que a esa otra persona le va bien gracias a él). Para colmo de todo, invita al narrador a comer para contarle las historias, hace que éste pague y se queda no sólo con el vuelto sino también con la boleta (para declararla y así pagar menos impuestos). De ese modo, cuando le siguen pasando cosas malas, sigue siendo divertido.
November 6, 2015
I like Asimov's short stories books and science books much more than his actual novels. Maybe 3.5 stars.
First humor book I read from him, not bad. The stories are somewhat predictable and silly, it's a light reading.
First humor book I read from him, not bad. The stories are somewhat predictable and silly, it's a light reading.
August 13, 2017
Asimov's take on "Be careful what you wish for". A very fun and entertaining read.
May 5, 2025
A través de 18 entretenidos relatos Asimov nos presenta a Azazel, un pequeño demonio con poderes que acude al llamado de George para supuestamente ayudar a los demás y que casi nunca resulta según lo esperado. Una lectura bastante diferente a las de ciencia ficción o divulgación a los que el autor nos tiene acostumbrados.
April 28, 2024
This classic collection of humorous and self-deprecating fantasies, all laced with wit & innuendoes, are highly enjoyable in small dosage, provided you can get hold of this book.
Apart from the 'Introduction' it contains~
1. The Two-Centimeter Demon;
2. One Night of Song;
3. The Smile That Loses;
4. To the Victor;
5. The Dim Rumble;
6. Saving Humanity;
7. A Matter of Principle;
8. The Evil Drink Does;
9. Writing Time;
10. Dashing Through the Snow;
11. Logic is Logic;
12. He Travels the Fastest;
13. The Eye of the Beholder;
14. More Things in Heaven and earth;
15. The Mind's Construction;
16. The Fights of Spring;
17. Galatea;
18. Flight of Fancy
Perhaps, in these overtly politically correct times, many of these pieces would have been skewered by angry feminists. But they are excellent humourous tales, with tongue firmly in cheek.
Recommended, obviously.
Apart from the 'Introduction' it contains~
1. The Two-Centimeter Demon;
2. One Night of Song;
3. The Smile That Loses;
4. To the Victor;
5. The Dim Rumble;
6. Saving Humanity;
7. A Matter of Principle;
8. The Evil Drink Does;
9. Writing Time;
10. Dashing Through the Snow;
11. Logic is Logic;
12. He Travels the Fastest;
13. The Eye of the Beholder;
14. More Things in Heaven and earth;
15. The Mind's Construction;
16. The Fights of Spring;
17. Galatea;
18. Flight of Fancy
Perhaps, in these overtly politically correct times, many of these pieces would have been skewered by angry feminists. But they are excellent humourous tales, with tongue firmly in cheek.
Recommended, obviously.
August 6, 2015
"Ten cuidado con lo que deseas", dice un refrán chino. Muy buen conjunto de relatos el que logra Asimov, que sale un poco de su mundo de ciencia ficción, aunque la naturaleza de los cuentos es marcadamente fantástica, para lograr un efecto divertido en cada uno de ellos. Si bien la estructura de los cuentos es un poco repetitiva en la cuestión causa/efecto, el libro es ameno y llevadero. Es gracioso leer a Asimov denostando su propia literatura, riéndose de sí mismo como si fuera un mal escritor ante su amigo George, quien posee a Azazel, el demonio rojo de dos centímetros que concede desopilantes deseos a sus (aún más desopilantes) amigos desventurados.
March 22, 2019
Tanti piccoli racconti, mix di fantascienza e sovrannaturale, che suscitano più di un sorriso.
November 15, 2023
"Azazel" és un recull de relats, apareguts en diverses revistes durant els anys 80, sobre un personatge que té al seu servei un petit dimoni amb poders que li permet solucionar els problemes dels seus amics.
I la meva pregunta és: és possible eliminar tota la gràcia d'aquesta premissa tan aparentment entretinguda? Isaac Asimov diu que sí.
Per començar, Azazel no se l'hauria de considerar ni personatge; és un recurs perquè la trama avanci. Apareix, fa el que se li demana i se'n va sense causar problemes. Per un llibre que es diu Azazel, és irònic que aquest tingui zero protagonisme i zero personalitat.
Després, la lectura d'aquest llibre es fa extremadament repetitiva, perquè cada una de les històries té la mateixa estructura.
Cada relat té unes 12-14 pàgines aproximadament i comencen amb el narrador, un alter ego d'Isaac Asimov, trobant-se amb el seu amic, George, que li explica la història d'un amic seu, l'únic tret distintiu del qual és un nom extremadament complicat, en substitució d'una personalitat — qui es diu Elderberry? Theophilus? Vandevanter? Antiochus? —, que té un problema. George, aleshores, s'adona que pot utilitzar els poders d'Azazel, a qui presenta de zero a cada relat, per solucionar-lo. El crida, li explica el problema del seu amic i Azazel el resol. El pròxim cop que es troben, l'amic en qüestió explica que el problema en si està solucionat, però hi ha un efecte secundari no previst de caràcter humorístic que li causa la infelicitat. I aquí s'acaba.
Per si mateixa, aquesta estructura no té res dolent, però repetida divuit vegades cansa.
A més, el personatge de George és extremadament antipàtic i irritant. A mi no cal que em caigui bé un protagonista per submergir-me en la lectura, però en aquest cas, com que la història no m'oferia res més interessant en què agafar-me, no podia evitar fixar-me en ell i odiar-lo amb més intensitat.
Cap personatge és memorable, ja que tots són extremadament plans. Entenc que no surt a compte desplegar la complexitat psicològica d'un personatge que només apareixerà en 12 pàgines, així que l'únic que puc dir és que aquestes històries no s'haurien d'haver recopilat en un volum.
En últim lloc, clar que les coses han canviat molt des dels anys 80 fins ara en termes de feminisme, però la misogínia i l'objectivació de les dones en aquest llibre és infumable. George és un viejo verde, que té moltes filloles i és com un tiet per totes les filles dels seus amics, que coneix des de petites, però se les vol tirar totes. I a sobre va de sant i fa que tothom el convidi a copes. No puc més.
En fi, no us el llegiu. No val la pena.
I la meva pregunta és: és possible eliminar tota la gràcia d'aquesta premissa tan aparentment entretinguda? Isaac Asimov diu que sí.
Per començar, Azazel no se l'hauria de considerar ni personatge; és un recurs perquè la trama avanci. Apareix, fa el que se li demana i se'n va sense causar problemes. Per un llibre que es diu Azazel, és irònic que aquest tingui zero protagonisme i zero personalitat.
Després, la lectura d'aquest llibre es fa extremadament repetitiva, perquè cada una de les històries té la mateixa estructura.
Cada relat té unes 12-14 pàgines aproximadament i comencen amb el narrador, un alter ego d'Isaac Asimov, trobant-se amb el seu amic, George, que li explica la història d'un amic seu, l'únic tret distintiu del qual és un nom extremadament complicat, en substitució d'una personalitat — qui es diu Elderberry? Theophilus? Vandevanter? Antiochus? —, que té un problema. George, aleshores, s'adona que pot utilitzar els poders d'Azazel, a qui presenta de zero a cada relat, per solucionar-lo. El crida, li explica el problema del seu amic i Azazel el resol. El pròxim cop que es troben, l'amic en qüestió explica que el problema en si està solucionat, però hi ha un efecte secundari no previst de caràcter humorístic que li causa la infelicitat. I aquí s'acaba.
Per si mateixa, aquesta estructura no té res dolent, però repetida divuit vegades cansa.
A més, el personatge de George és extremadament antipàtic i irritant. A mi no cal que em caigui bé un protagonista per submergir-me en la lectura, però en aquest cas, com que la història no m'oferia res més interessant en què agafar-me, no podia evitar fixar-me en ell i odiar-lo amb més intensitat.
Cap personatge és memorable, ja que tots són extremadament plans. Entenc que no surt a compte desplegar la complexitat psicològica d'un personatge que només apareixerà en 12 pàgines, així que l'únic que puc dir és que aquestes històries no s'haurien d'haver recopilat en un volum.
En últim lloc, clar que les coses han canviat molt des dels anys 80 fins ara en termes de feminisme, però la misogínia i l'objectivació de les dones en aquest llibre és infumable. George és un viejo verde, que té moltes filloles i és com un tiet per totes les filles dels seus amics, que coneix des de petites, però se les vol tirar totes. I a sobre va de sant i fa que tothom el convidi a copes. No puc més.
En fi, no us el llegiu. No val la pena.
March 2, 2022
AZAZEL-ISAAC ASIMOV
✒"What kind of a demon is two centimeters tall?"
"A small one," said George, "but as the old saying goes, a small demon is better than no demon."
"It depends on his mood."
"Oh, Azazel - that's his name - is a friendly demon."
😈Narator ima drugara Džordža,aristokratskog porekla i grebatorske prirode.
😈Ipak,Džordž ume da se za sve večerinke i pića oduži pričajući svoje(izmišljene?) dogodovštine s Azazelom.
😈Azazel je demon. Azazel je visok 2cm uključujući i rep. Azazel je nadrndan kad ga prekinu u nezgodnom trenutku a nekako je svaki nezgodan. Ipak,Džordž ume da mu se umili podilazeći njegovoj sujeti
😈I tako Azazel "pomaže" Džordžovim prijateljima(nikad Džordžu jer sukob interesa),a prijatelji pomažu Džordžu bogatim večerama.
😈 A šta ljudi žele-da lete,da hodaju po snegu a da ne upadnu,da znaju kad ih neko laže,da ožive prelepi mermerni kip...
😈18 priča,urnebesno smešnih,i s uvek katastrofalnim posledicama. Jer Azazel jeste dobronameran,ali uvek ima neka začkoljica kad sklapaš pakt s đavolom,čak i ako nije duži od 2cm. 😂
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #knjige #readingaddict #literature #classicliterature
✒"What kind of a demon is two centimeters tall?"
"A small one," said George, "but as the old saying goes, a small demon is better than no demon."
"It depends on his mood."
"Oh, Azazel - that's his name - is a friendly demon."
😈Narator ima drugara Džordža,aristokratskog porekla i grebatorske prirode.
😈Ipak,Džordž ume da se za sve večerinke i pića oduži pričajući svoje(izmišljene?) dogodovštine s Azazelom.
😈Azazel je demon. Azazel je visok 2cm uključujući i rep. Azazel je nadrndan kad ga prekinu u nezgodnom trenutku a nekako je svaki nezgodan. Ipak,Džordž ume da mu se umili podilazeći njegovoj sujeti
😈I tako Azazel "pomaže" Džordžovim prijateljima(nikad Džordžu jer sukob interesa),a prijatelji pomažu Džordžu bogatim večerama.
😈 A šta ljudi žele-da lete,da hodaju po snegu a da ne upadnu,da znaju kad ih neko laže,da ožive prelepi mermerni kip...
😈18 priča,urnebesno smešnih,i s uvek katastrofalnim posledicama. Jer Azazel jeste dobronameran,ali uvek ima neka začkoljica kad sklapaš pakt s đavolom,čak i ako nije duži od 2cm. 😂
#7sensesofabook #bookstagram #knjige #readingaddict #literature #classicliterature
December 1, 2022
Beh, avrei proprio dovuto leggerlo prima.
L'ironia e l'humor neanche tanto sottile di questi brevi racconti è davvero un toccasana. Racconti nella tradizione delle "tall tales" anglo-americane, tutti magnificamente scritti e con alla base l'idea del demonietto (probabilmente inventato) e dello scroccone.
5 stelle
e credo che di tanto in tanto rileggerò qualche racconto, così, per tirarmi su di morale.
L'ironia e l'humor neanche tanto sottile di questi brevi racconti è davvero un toccasana. Racconti nella tradizione delle "tall tales" anglo-americane, tutti magnificamente scritti e con alla base l'idea del demonietto (probabilmente inventato) e dello scroccone.
5 stelle
e credo che di tanto in tanto rileggerò qualche racconto, così, per tirarmi su di morale.
October 11, 2015
Una colección de simpáticas historias que a pesar de ello me ha resultado algo tediosa de leer debido a que siguen todas una estructura similar. Ya en el prólogo el autor explica que es una recopilación de historias que fueron editadas por distintas publicaciones y que ahora las presentaba todas juntas, prescindiendo de la ciencia ficción y dotando a Azazel de un carácter mágico.
Imagino que espaciadas por el tiempo que existía entre una publicación y otra habrán sido más divertidas de leer, pero en este caso es enfrentarse a 18 historias iguales y tras leer un par de ellas el resto se torna monótono. Todas comienzan con Asimov reunido con un odioso sablista llamado George quien en medio de una comida o un trago aprovecha para contarle una historia sobre algún conocido suyo que tenía un problema que él solucionó mediante la intervención de Azazel, un pequeño demonio de 2 cm de altura; para después resultar peor el remedio que la enfermedad y salir George con las tablas en la cabeza para estupefacción suya.
Dentro de la homogeneidad de esta colección mis historias favoritas fueron El sordo rumor (por haber leído recientemente sobre The Hum), La lógica es la lógica y Las peleas de primavera.
Imagino que espaciadas por el tiempo que existía entre una publicación y otra habrán sido más divertidas de leer, pero en este caso es enfrentarse a 18 historias iguales y tras leer un par de ellas el resto se torna monótono. Todas comienzan con Asimov reunido con un odioso sablista llamado George quien en medio de una comida o un trago aprovecha para contarle una historia sobre algún conocido suyo que tenía un problema que él solucionó mediante la intervención de Azazel, un pequeño demonio de 2 cm de altura; para después resultar peor el remedio que la enfermedad y salir George con las tablas en la cabeza para estupefacción suya.
Dentro de la homogeneidad de esta colección mis historias favoritas fueron El sordo rumor (por haber leído recientemente sobre The Hum), La lógica es la lógica y Las peleas de primavera.
October 5, 2010
In the introduction, Mr. Asimov warns the reader that you may find the style "un-Asimovian." This certainly is true, but not for the worse. The stories are humorous satires, and incredibly delightful.
If you pick this up because you're a fan of Asimov, and his prolific science-fiction, don't be surprised that it's nothing like "I, Robot."
But if you pick this up because you want some humorous stories wherein the author even makes fun of himself, you'll be as please as it as I was.
If you pick this up because you're a fan of Asimov, and his prolific science-fiction, don't be surprised that it's nothing like "I, Robot."
But if you pick this up because you want some humorous stories wherein the author even makes fun of himself, you'll be as please as it as I was.
October 16, 2007
This book is a departure from Isaac Asimov's normal "hard" science fiction. It's a frolicking romp through a fantastic "what if." What if I had a tiny demon that tried to help make my life better, but only managed to muck things up worse than I do on my own? A must read for any sci fi / fantasy fan.
October 17, 2014
Me hizo reír bastante, sobre todo porque George es un payaso que se cree mucho y te hace reír.
Los relatos son bastante curiosos, porque sabes que van a terminar mal, pero realmente no te imaginas exactamente cómo es que lo harán. Me divirtió bastante.
Los relatos son bastante curiosos, porque sabes que van a terminar mal, pero realmente no te imaginas exactamente cómo es que lo harán. Me divirtió bastante.
December 15, 2014
A collection of cute short stories around 'George' and the 2cm demon. I think I would have enjoyed it much more had I read the stories well spaced over time. Not Asimov's best, but a must read if you really like Asimov.
September 4, 2020
2.75
Azazel' by Isaac Asimov is a collection of eighteen interweaving stories focusing on an otherworldly being and its gluttonous caregiver. Presented as a series of vignettes, Asimov delivers satirical stories about the misfortunes brought upon those who come in contact with the wish-granting duo of George and Azazel.
Within his introduction, Asimov claims that the writing found in the collection may appear to be "un-Asimovian" in design. Missing are the prophetic musings from 'I, Robot' or the philosophical themes of the Foundation saga. Instead, Asimov injects humor into each story, making it the dominant emotion for the entire one-hundred and sixty pages.
The narrative structure revolving around the character of George is similar to the style of John Kennedy Toole's 'A Confederacy of Dunces.'
Asimov creates a modern-day Ignatius Reilly with George as he is depicted as completely unreliable, selfish, piggish, rude, steeped in narcissism and unbearably blunt. Readers never quite dare to trust George as he tells outlandish stories of the two-centimeter tall demon living in his breast pocket. The uncertainty regarding these stories makes them feel fresh and lively.
That being said, these stories were originally published separately and that proves to be the superior method. Redundancy quickly becomes noticeable as Asimov rehashes the main plot with every story, each only being 8-10 pages. The repetition can be maddening to go over and the work suffers for it, while being episodic, the outcome is always the same.
'Azazel' is a bit of a delight, with it's comical mischief and tiresome narrator. With eighteen stories, none of them are bad, none are great, but all are solidly written in a formulaic manner.
Azazel' by Isaac Asimov is a collection of eighteen interweaving stories focusing on an otherworldly being and its gluttonous caregiver. Presented as a series of vignettes, Asimov delivers satirical stories about the misfortunes brought upon those who come in contact with the wish-granting duo of George and Azazel.
Within his introduction, Asimov claims that the writing found in the collection may appear to be "un-Asimovian" in design. Missing are the prophetic musings from 'I, Robot' or the philosophical themes of the Foundation saga. Instead, Asimov injects humor into each story, making it the dominant emotion for the entire one-hundred and sixty pages.
The narrative structure revolving around the character of George is similar to the style of John Kennedy Toole's 'A Confederacy of Dunces.'
Asimov creates a modern-day Ignatius Reilly with George as he is depicted as completely unreliable, selfish, piggish, rude, steeped in narcissism and unbearably blunt. Readers never quite dare to trust George as he tells outlandish stories of the two-centimeter tall demon living in his breast pocket. The uncertainty regarding these stories makes them feel fresh and lively.
That being said, these stories were originally published separately and that proves to be the superior method. Redundancy quickly becomes noticeable as Asimov rehashes the main plot with every story, each only being 8-10 pages. The repetition can be maddening to go over and the work suffers for it, while being episodic, the outcome is always the same.
'Azazel' is a bit of a delight, with it's comical mischief and tiresome narrator. With eighteen stories, none of them are bad, none are great, but all are solidly written in a formulaic manner.
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