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Stan
The Devil in Disguise
Ever since he survived a suicide attempt, New York artist Stan Foster has not been himself. Plagued by amnesia and a head full of visions of death and destruction that fuel his ever-more disturbing work, he claws his way through a life he doesn’t recognize in search of his true identity. What he finds leads him to believe he is Satan, spit out from the bowels of hell to live among the mortal inhabitants of earth. Is he delusional, or is there truth behind this troubling revelation?
One woman can help him find out. Enter Abigail: lapsed Catholic, lonely city dweller, and psychiatrist with a heart of gold. Meeting Stan makes her question everything she’s believed about faith and humanity for so long, but she must overcome her own troubled background to offer him the redemption he needs—and ultimately wants.
Ever since he survived a suicide attempt, New York artist Stan Foster has not been himself. Plagued by amnesia and a head full of visions of death and destruction that fuel his ever-more disturbing work, he claws his way through a life he doesn’t recognize in search of his true identity. What he finds leads him to believe he is Satan, spit out from the bowels of hell to live among the mortal inhabitants of earth. Is he delusional, or is there truth behind this troubling revelation?
One woman can help him find out. Enter Abigail: lapsed Catholic, lonely city dweller, and psychiatrist with a heart of gold. Meeting Stan makes her question everything she’s believed about faith and humanity for so long, but she must overcome her own troubled background to offer him the redemption he needs—and ultimately wants.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
60 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 8, 2014
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I was initially really excited when I read the synopsis but it didn't really grab my attention when I started reading it the way I thought it would. It was a really great concept but I think the author could have done more with it. Sometimes I felt like it was trying to hard to hit you over the head with symbolism and didn't give you time to develop your own feelings about the characters. I finished it, but mostly just because I can't not finish a book.
April 11, 2014
Yeah, kind of gave up on it with about a hundred pages to go. What started promisingly turned into another high concept book whose author didn't really understand their concept but kept writing anyway. At a certain point, even the fairly competent writing that had kept me reading devolved into a series of increasingly poor decisions. So...not recommended.
June 25, 2016
This is one of the greatest books I've read in a while! It's thought-provoking and filled with lots of good messages about good versus evil and the nature of mankind. A powerful read, that's for sure.
Check out my official review at OnlineBookClub.org: http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/view...
Check out my official review at OnlineBookClub.org: http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/view...
February 9, 2021
It took a minute to understand what was going on in this book but when I did I was really rooting for Stan, there is always hope for someone to change even the worst monster can have a loveable side. There were things that confuse me, if Stan is who they say he is why doesn't he have more power over the ones he wants to be away from? For me the end was a disappointment, I suppose that is so we can each imagine our own ending or the author can write a sequel, but for those who like to have things wrapped up, not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2023
G Good thriller
I couldn't put the book down And I was waiting to see what was going to happen at the end and then I got left hanging high and dry I hope there's a sequel to this to let us know how the good and evil is going to balance our not balance out in this book I did like the book .
I couldn't put the book down And I was waiting to see what was going to happen at the end and then I got left hanging high and dry I hope there's a sequel to this to let us know how the good and evil is going to balance our not balance out in this book I did like the book .
June 20, 2017
This started out such an intriguing and intense novel. I wanted it to have a grand conclusion, but it fell flat ended abruptly without any cause. Very disappointing in an otherwise phenomenal read it could've been.
July 12, 2020
Cliffhanger
Took a while to get into and was slow throughout. Good v evil. But the ending..? It's like the author just couldn't be bothered....there's a few hours of my life I won't get back!
Took a while to get into and was slow throughout. Good v evil. But the ending..? It's like the author just couldn't be bothered....there's a few hours of my life I won't get back!
May 10, 2017
This blew my ever loving mind!
Few books one finds in life rattle you to the core yet make you think with your soul. This one did! Find more of you by finding out about Stan
Few books one finds in life rattle you to the core yet make you think with your soul. This one did! Find more of you by finding out about Stan
August 22, 2017
I couldn't put this book down until I finished & then I wanted more. I'm not going to leak any spoilers, however Stan is a character you won't forget.
July 3, 2018
Brilliant first novel. Well written and easy to read, but definitely makes you think! Leaves the reader in control of final decision—whether you want to be or not! Highly recommend.
August 23, 2020
For me, this was one weird book but I forged ahead and read it all. The ending was definatley lacking.
October 1, 2020
Heart stopping!!
Takes you to the heart of God. Coun't put it down. Makes you wonder how true it could be .
Takes you to the heart of God. Coun't put it down. Makes you wonder how true it could be .
September 20, 2018
I couldn't put it down. The story is addicting as are the characters. Please, PLEASE, PLEASE, let there be a sequel!! I need more!!!!
Stan is just your average suicidal, bridge-jumping amnesiac. Or is he? What side will he choose or will it be chosen for him? What will Abby say in the end? and will Lilith just shut her pie-hole and sit her ass down.
Horror, suspense, romance, great characters and a great twisting story. For fans of horror & in the subgenre of Satin & devil stories.
Stan is just your average suicidal, bridge-jumping amnesiac. Or is he? What side will he choose or will it be chosen for him? What will Abby say in the end? and will Lilith just shut her pie-hole and sit her ass down.
Horror, suspense, romance, great characters and a great twisting story. For fans of horror & in the subgenre of Satin & devil stories.
May 3, 2014
Stan, written by author Richard Wold, is a book about a man’s journey to recovering his memory and finding himself. The book begins by presenting Stan Foster, a New York artist that survives a suicide attempt, and finds himself in the hospital, not having any memories about the past self. Trying to learn more about how he was, Stan starts to believe that he is living among the mortals as Satan. To help him find out the truth, the author introduces Abigail, a psychiatrist that tries to help Stan figure what his past and why is he having these feelings. It is a story about good and evil, a story about the human nature and how it can play tricks on you and make you question your entire existence.
Richard Wold does an amazing job with the portrayal of his characters in Stan; he turns the book into something more than a somewhat crazy man’s search for his past life and memories; he turns the book into a battleground for good and evil, God and Satan, mankind and its torments. It is a story that makes you want to read it cover to cover without putting down the book, the author’s writing skills having much to do with this. When encountering these type of mystery books readers want to be involved into something more than meets the eye, they want to be drawn into a story that is not what it seems to be and that what Richard Wold does with Stan. He creates a world of attractive madness, a world of unanswered questions and provocative mysteries that involved he reader and also makes him wonder about the way he looks at life.
Stan is the perfect book if you want to get lost in a not so perfect world, if you want to read something different than what you usually read. The battle between good and evil is as old as time, and many authors have tried to tackle it in various ways, from theater plays to stories for children, but this book puts it into a very personal and different perspective. (Reviewed for Readers' Favorite)
Richard Wold does an amazing job with the portrayal of his characters in Stan; he turns the book into something more than a somewhat crazy man’s search for his past life and memories; he turns the book into a battleground for good and evil, God and Satan, mankind and its torments. It is a story that makes you want to read it cover to cover without putting down the book, the author’s writing skills having much to do with this. When encountering these type of mystery books readers want to be involved into something more than meets the eye, they want to be drawn into a story that is not what it seems to be and that what Richard Wold does with Stan. He creates a world of attractive madness, a world of unanswered questions and provocative mysteries that involved he reader and also makes him wonder about the way he looks at life.
Stan is the perfect book if you want to get lost in a not so perfect world, if you want to read something different than what you usually read. The battle between good and evil is as old as time, and many authors have tried to tackle it in various ways, from theater plays to stories for children, but this book puts it into a very personal and different perspective. (Reviewed for Readers' Favorite)
March 20, 2014
** Review done in conjunction with SayWhatSavannahMae, check out her site for more info**
4 Stars – B+
This was an interesting concept novel. I’ve always said I look for books which strive to break from the normal, and this book definitely did that. We meet Stan, when he decides to end it all, and throw himself off the Washington Bridge. I mean talk about grabbing a reader. This book makes you commit right from the beginning and keep reading. I like how the author approached the topic of Satan, he doesn’t automatically assume you believe in him, because like the character most people are unlikely to jump to that answer first, but assume mental illness or shock. I do like how human nature plays a role in this book, really character driven, and we get some insight into what drives them. Wold really makes the reader question things throughout this whole book. You may come into this book knowing what good and evil are but by the end, I bet you’ll be questioning a little bit. You get influences in Stan life, both what we’d consider good and evil, but there’s something laying under the surface of both of them, so who can he really trust? I do wish they would’ve let us get to him being Satan on our own, leaving hints and clues instead of basically spelling it out for the reader, I didn’t enjoy that. I like a little more mystery and a little more work on the readers part. There’s a little bit of romance in this book as well, but it doesn’t play a primary theme at all, mostly this book has elements of a mystery and a thriller, with a long inner running conflict on what really is good and evil. I enjoyed it, I thought it was refreshing, though some choices the author made didn’t resound with me, but overall a good read and something new.
*I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
4 Stars – B+
This was an interesting concept novel. I’ve always said I look for books which strive to break from the normal, and this book definitely did that. We meet Stan, when he decides to end it all, and throw himself off the Washington Bridge. I mean talk about grabbing a reader. This book makes you commit right from the beginning and keep reading. I like how the author approached the topic of Satan, he doesn’t automatically assume you believe in him, because like the character most people are unlikely to jump to that answer first, but assume mental illness or shock. I do like how human nature plays a role in this book, really character driven, and we get some insight into what drives them. Wold really makes the reader question things throughout this whole book. You may come into this book knowing what good and evil are but by the end, I bet you’ll be questioning a little bit. You get influences in Stan life, both what we’d consider good and evil, but there’s something laying under the surface of both of them, so who can he really trust? I do wish they would’ve let us get to him being Satan on our own, leaving hints and clues instead of basically spelling it out for the reader, I didn’t enjoy that. I like a little more mystery and a little more work on the readers part. There’s a little bit of romance in this book as well, but it doesn’t play a primary theme at all, mostly this book has elements of a mystery and a thriller, with a long inner running conflict on what really is good and evil. I enjoyed it, I thought it was refreshing, though some choices the author made didn’t resound with me, but overall a good read and something new.
*I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
November 14, 2015
http://publishedmoments.co.uk
The Devil in Disguise.
Stan is found alive after an attempted suicide and even the police are shocked that he's still alive because no-one survives jumping from the bridge. Stan cannot remember who he was or what he did because amnesia has consumed him.
Whilst in his recovery, his psychiatrist, Abigail, helps him piece together his life before his failed suicide attempt. Stan was an up and comer in the New York art scene which featured dark and controversial pieces. He had a manager, Lilith, who was stubborn and insistent on Stan's success and fame.
Soon after his release from hospital, Stan starts to be haunted by visions of death and destruction. Not being able to distinguish whether these images are real or imagined he seeks the help of Abigail who helps uncover his past which was much darker than he could have ever imagined.
What did I think?
It took me a little while to get really stuck in to this book, but once I did there was no keeping me from reading it! This is Richard Wold's first novel and he has done such a brilliant job with it. It really is a story line like no other and it is incredible that Wold has such a interesting imagination. You can definitely tell that a lot of planning and thought went in to this book.
Stan ended on such a cliffhanger that I cannot wait to read the follow up! Wold has really ensured that there is a huge anticipation and excitement for the next book. I felt like the lead up to the end of the book made sure that the ending was a done deal, but in the very last sentence of the book, Wold manages to grip you tight enough to want to read the follow on!
I would urge anyone to give this book a go. It didn't grip me at first, but power through it and you will soon be hooked like me!
The Devil in Disguise.
Stan is found alive after an attempted suicide and even the police are shocked that he's still alive because no-one survives jumping from the bridge. Stan cannot remember who he was or what he did because amnesia has consumed him.
Whilst in his recovery, his psychiatrist, Abigail, helps him piece together his life before his failed suicide attempt. Stan was an up and comer in the New York art scene which featured dark and controversial pieces. He had a manager, Lilith, who was stubborn and insistent on Stan's success and fame.
Soon after his release from hospital, Stan starts to be haunted by visions of death and destruction. Not being able to distinguish whether these images are real or imagined he seeks the help of Abigail who helps uncover his past which was much darker than he could have ever imagined.
What did I think?
It took me a little while to get really stuck in to this book, but once I did there was no keeping me from reading it! This is Richard Wold's first novel and he has done such a brilliant job with it. It really is a story line like no other and it is incredible that Wold has such a interesting imagination. You can definitely tell that a lot of planning and thought went in to this book.
Stan ended on such a cliffhanger that I cannot wait to read the follow up! Wold has really ensured that there is a huge anticipation and excitement for the next book. I felt like the lead up to the end of the book made sure that the ending was a done deal, but in the very last sentence of the book, Wold manages to grip you tight enough to want to read the follow on!
I would urge anyone to give this book a go. It didn't grip me at first, but power through it and you will soon be hooked like me!
May 10, 2014
Stan Foster attempts suicide by jumping off a bridge in Washington. He opens his eyes to find out he is still alive and has no memory prior to jumping off the bridge. Stan is seeing images in his head that are disturbing and he can’t make sense of it. The images seem to be some sort of hell. He is admitted to a psych ward and there he tries to remember who he is. A psychiatrist named Abigail tries to help him but ends up obsessed with him. Stan has made her questions everything she believed in. Abigail has her own troubled past to overcome if she wants to truly help Stan. Another woman comes into Stan’s life. Her name is Lilith. She helps him to get out into the real world. Stan now has two women helping him, one who has a heart of gold and the other shallow who loves to smoke. Stan finds out he used to be an artist. A very popular one. Stan starts hallucinating and it becomes a battle of good and evil. Which side should he choose?!!
Stan by Richard Wold is an interesting read. At times I found it hard to follow because of the fragmented sentences. This story has mystery, thriller, and romance all in one. There are some choices the author made that I wasn’t a fan of but all in all a good read. I really enjoyed this book and liked how the author ended the story. If you like God vs Satan or good vs evil then you should definitely check this book out. I give this 4 stars
Stan by Richard Wold is an interesting read. At times I found it hard to follow because of the fragmented sentences. This story has mystery, thriller, and romance all in one. There are some choices the author made that I wasn’t a fan of but all in all a good read. I really enjoyed this book and liked how the author ended the story. If you like God vs Satan or good vs evil then you should definitely check this book out. I give this 4 stars
March 31, 2014
Stan Foster can't remember anything other then jumping off the bridge and being pulled out of the Hudson. At least that's what he thinks at first. Soon the visions of bodies, corpses, darkness fill his head. The only light seems to be the psychiatrist at the hospital that is treating his amnesia and unnamed disorder.
Abigail Petrus has a big heart and a painful past. When an enigma of a patient walks in, intelligent, no sign of mental illness, talented, but there is something - Abby lets Stan in closer, even after his release and becomes invested.
Soon Stan is reunited with his old life, as an artist and something else, something older and darker that has come to earth in human form.
Is it possible for everyone to be redeemed? Or do leopards never change their spots?
I found myself going back and forth in my head with this book and then finding a deeper question developing for discussion (wishing I read this with a book club) - and the end.... okay, I am hooked, Mr. Wold, please do not leave me hanging!! This is an original story, unique. It has a way of grabbing the reader, up and down, making you ask deeper questions as the story unfolds along with the characters. I really enjoyed this.
******This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****
Abigail Petrus has a big heart and a painful past. When an enigma of a patient walks in, intelligent, no sign of mental illness, talented, but there is something - Abby lets Stan in closer, even after his release and becomes invested.
Soon Stan is reunited with his old life, as an artist and something else, something older and darker that has come to earth in human form.
Is it possible for everyone to be redeemed? Or do leopards never change their spots?
I found myself going back and forth in my head with this book and then finding a deeper question developing for discussion (wishing I read this with a book club) - and the end.... okay, I am hooked, Mr. Wold, please do not leave me hanging!! This is an original story, unique. It has a way of grabbing the reader, up and down, making you ask deeper questions as the story unfolds along with the characters. I really enjoyed this.
******This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *****
June 16, 2015
Trade PB/Fiction: I really liked this book. I felt for Stan even though he's a little selfish. He does a terrible thing to a group of people (the devil makes him do it), but sees no consequences. His idea of solving a problem, whether it's minor drama or a real crisis, is to go to bed and put the covers over his head. Abby is the kindhearted shrink with the heart of gold. She is likable and too good for Stan.
The story is Stan's journey out of amnesia and into a claim of redemption. While I curious about Stan's outcome after the last page, I like the way it ended. My favorite character is the shallow Lilith. She has tunnel vision that include never seeing a 'no smoking' sign, ever.
If you can't stand fragmented sentences, this is not the book for you. I like fragmented writing because that's the way people think and talk. To me, it makes the reading easier. I recommend this book. It has "movie" written all over it and kind of reminded me of the "Reincarnation of Peter Proud" in a lot of ways. It was a gift from GoodReads for a honest review.
The story is Stan's journey out of amnesia and into a claim of redemption. While I curious about Stan's outcome after the last page, I like the way it ended. My favorite character is the shallow Lilith. She has tunnel vision that include never seeing a 'no smoking' sign, ever.
If you can't stand fragmented sentences, this is not the book for you. I like fragmented writing because that's the way people think and talk. To me, it makes the reading easier. I recommend this book. It has "movie" written all over it and kind of reminded me of the "Reincarnation of Peter Proud" in a lot of ways. It was a gift from GoodReads for a honest review.
March 6, 2014
*I was given this book for an honest review*
I don't usually read books like this for casual reading. However it sounded very interesting so I said what the heck. I am so glad that I did! This book is well written. The characters are very, very interesting. When I started reading I was really curious as to where this book was going to take me! I don't do spoilers so let me just say that if you have an interest in God and Satan, good and evil, and just plain human nature then this is a book you should pick up and read. This book drew me in, it made me sit straight up and say WTH! This book has all kinds of twists and turns. Can't wait to see what happens! It has to be a book 2 or I will be really mad at how it ended!
I don't usually read books like this for casual reading. However it sounded very interesting so I said what the heck. I am so glad that I did! This book is well written. The characters are very, very interesting. When I started reading I was really curious as to where this book was going to take me! I don't do spoilers so let me just say that if you have an interest in God and Satan, good and evil, and just plain human nature then this is a book you should pick up and read. This book drew me in, it made me sit straight up and say WTH! This book has all kinds of twists and turns. Can't wait to see what happens! It has to be a book 2 or I will be really mad at how it ended!
August 13, 2016
Interesting read that get's you thinking about what the true meaning of good vs evil is and really makes you question what you beliefs are in regards to Satan, same thing that happened to Abigail. Personally I don't believe that their is really a Satan however the way the story is written it really makes you see how human nature will get you to question those unanswered questions. We need more discussions like this, discussing what is good and what isn't, maybe this will help many who are struggling with life. Besides this, the story was very well written and the characters were really developed, overall a very interesting and thought provoking read.
July 19, 2016
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
This was an interesting and unique twist on a story of good vs. evil. The story really gets you wondering about who these people really are, and what is and is not real. My only real complaint is that I felt that too much was revealed too soon. The main character Stan is an artist, which typically would not appeal to me. But the way it was used really helped to show his personality and how he changes. The story kept me interested to the last page.
This was an interesting and unique twist on a story of good vs. evil. The story really gets you wondering about who these people really are, and what is and is not real. My only real complaint is that I felt that too much was revealed too soon. The main character Stan is an artist, which typically would not appeal to me. But the way it was used really helped to show his personality and how he changes. The story kept me interested to the last page.
May 27, 2014
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway
I really enjoyed reading this book. Many interesting characters and the writing style was very well done. I felt like the last chapter or two seemed a bit rushed though and I didn't particularly like how it ended. It's an open ended ending, but I'm not sure what to make of it. Personally I'm not a huge fan of open endings but something about this one I really didn't like.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Many interesting characters and the writing style was very well done. I felt like the last chapter or two seemed a bit rushed though and I didn't particularly like how it ended. It's an open ended ending, but I'm not sure what to make of it. Personally I'm not a huge fan of open endings but something about this one I really didn't like.
February 14, 2014
I wasn't sure what to make of it at first as it is quite different but a couple of chapters in and I was hooked. An original story/plot line that is intriguing and at times makes you think about the whole heaven and hell scenario. Wondering what Richard Wold will write next, will be watching for a new release.
February 28, 2014
I found Stan thought provoking and entertaining. It left me thinking about good and evil and how we have come to label the extremes of each. For most people they may not want to get into the deeper aspect of Stan, in which case it is just a highly enjoyable novel and I hope to see more from Rich Wold.
February 10, 2017
Uncaged Book Reviews:
I really enjoyed this book and there’s even more secrets to learn about Stan. A good dark read, that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This is Richard Wold’s first book I will certainly read more of his books. Reviewed by Jennifer
Full review at UncagedBooks.com
I really enjoyed this book and there’s even more secrets to learn about Stan. A good dark read, that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This is Richard Wold’s first book I will certainly read more of his books. Reviewed by Jennifer
Full review at UncagedBooks.com
February 12, 2014
I loved this gem of a book and thought it was highly original in both plot and style of writing. It's a quirky perspective on good versus evil, entertaining but also quite thought provoking.
Read
August 28, 2016I'm one of the lucky winners of the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway and I'm so excited to get my hands on this! The synopsis sounds really intriguing. I can't wait to finally dive into it!
June 1, 2014
I won a copy of this book through Goodreads.
This was an easy read. There was nothing exceptional about it, but it was a okay story to pass the time.
This was an easy read. There was nothing exceptional about it, but it was a okay story to pass the time.
December 14, 2018
Good tale, definitely different
Interesting concept pretty good book but has a 'sinner repent ' feel about half way through. Okay but I won't be buying rest of series. If it hadn't been a freebie I very much doubt I would buy it
Interesting concept pretty good book but has a 'sinner repent ' feel about half way through. Okay but I won't be buying rest of series. If it hadn't been a freebie I very much doubt I would buy it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews