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Devil Jazz
How would mankind react to an alien named Armageddon suddenly stepping into the media spotlight and offering the world a new explanation of the origins of civilization? In New York, in the 21st century, things can go either way.
Rising from under the Great Pyramid in Egypt, Satan reveals himself in alien form to the world. He offers eternal life on earth for all who follow and believe in his words. It is his greatest temptation. Being Satan, the bastard angel without mercy, he sends out his demons to corrupt and convert the last die-hard moralists left on earth. Adolf Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent van Gogh demons possess three rotten souls and proceed to attack the last bastions of purity: the youth, the chaste, and the starving artists.
The forces of Good search for a saviour and find a confused homeless man suffering from amnesia and bearing a resemblance to JC. As he stumbles into a small fishing village, he is recognized immediately by a desperate crowd as Christ Returned, because his face matches the image that has just appeared on the wall of the men's toilet in the Doomsday Cafe. The entire population of Doomsday Harbor marches behind JC and his new disciples: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
Faith vs. Fact, Science vs. Religion, Good vs. Evil. Great forces are at work, shaking the foundations of everything we hold dear. Has the Devil found the perfect way to tempt us into believing his lies? Are we all doomed to everlasting hellfire, or will we be saved at the last hour by one brave, confused man with the face of an angel? Hey, this is New York in the 21st century. It can go either way.
One last thing: this is probably the funniest book you have read in years. Yea, verily.
Rising from under the Great Pyramid in Egypt, Satan reveals himself in alien form to the world. He offers eternal life on earth for all who follow and believe in his words. It is his greatest temptation. Being Satan, the bastard angel without mercy, he sends out his demons to corrupt and convert the last die-hard moralists left on earth. Adolf Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent van Gogh demons possess three rotten souls and proceed to attack the last bastions of purity: the youth, the chaste, and the starving artists.
The forces of Good search for a saviour and find a confused homeless man suffering from amnesia and bearing a resemblance to JC. As he stumbles into a small fishing village, he is recognized immediately by a desperate crowd as Christ Returned, because his face matches the image that has just appeared on the wall of the men's toilet in the Doomsday Cafe. The entire population of Doomsday Harbor marches behind JC and his new disciples: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
Faith vs. Fact, Science vs. Religion, Good vs. Evil. Great forces are at work, shaking the foundations of everything we hold dear. Has the Devil found the perfect way to tempt us into believing his lies? Are we all doomed to everlasting hellfire, or will we be saved at the last hour by one brave, confused man with the face of an angel? Hey, this is New York in the 21st century. It can go either way.
One last thing: this is probably the funniest book you have read in years. Yea, verily.
206 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
31 people want to read
About the author
Craig Forgrave
13 books2 followersI love Elmore Leonard's 10 rules of writing and the bold concept of Superman's Fortress of Solitude as a writer's retreat. I am a published novelist (Devil Jazz, ENC Press), award-winning playwright (Karsh Gold Medal, Can. National Playwriting Competition), screenwriter (Writer's Guild, Canada) and I have been featured/quoted in The Globe and Mail, CNBC.com, CNN Entertainment and the LA Times.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 29, 2009
“Devil Jazz” begins with the depiction of a young man awaking to find himself floating in a boat with no recollection of his life before that moment, stumbling towards the Doomsday Diner bathroom where the local fishermen say he will find his face etched on the wall, with a mysterious voice in his head warning him that the world will end in seven days. Almost instantly he finds that not only may he be the messiah, but he also has disciples, and although slightly uncomfortable with the idea, he decides to go by “J.C.”
Could this indeed be the Apocalypse, Jesus Christ’s final arrival, the ascension of the blessed and the damnation of the wicked? Craig Forgrave certainly makes us wonder, especially as global devastation ensues and Satan makes his appearance as the benevolent alien, Armageddon. Satan also sends his demonic charges to do his work; Marilyn Monroe, Vincent van Gogh, and Adolf Hitler all set out to corrupt the innocent, the dreamers, and the youth.
While J.C. is compelled to urge the people of the world to repent their sins and be saved, Satan ensures that the population sins to its full extent. “Devil Jazz” seems to begin as a modern day morality tale, and yet is transformed into a social and cultural commentary. It asks us to reconsider what we classify as “good” and “evil,” and to renegotiate our own existence within this specific cultural framework. Is it all good and bad? Is there no gray ambiguity to our existence?
Forgrave has written a clever novel that forces the reader to think, to reevaluate, and to question. “Devil Jazz” is a fun and funny examination of faith, human nature, and the individual identity.
Could this indeed be the Apocalypse, Jesus Christ’s final arrival, the ascension of the blessed and the damnation of the wicked? Craig Forgrave certainly makes us wonder, especially as global devastation ensues and Satan makes his appearance as the benevolent alien, Armageddon. Satan also sends his demonic charges to do his work; Marilyn Monroe, Vincent van Gogh, and Adolf Hitler all set out to corrupt the innocent, the dreamers, and the youth.
While J.C. is compelled to urge the people of the world to repent their sins and be saved, Satan ensures that the population sins to its full extent. “Devil Jazz” seems to begin as a modern day morality tale, and yet is transformed into a social and cultural commentary. It asks us to reconsider what we classify as “good” and “evil,” and to renegotiate our own existence within this specific cultural framework. Is it all good and bad? Is there no gray ambiguity to our existence?
Forgrave has written a clever novel that forces the reader to think, to reevaluate, and to question. “Devil Jazz” is a fun and funny examination of faith, human nature, and the individual identity.
March 9, 2010
The initial concept of battle between Satan, disguised as an alien, and a homeless man who suffers from amnesia, but bears a striking resemblance to Jesus Christ, is what cause me to pick this book. Satan, appearing as the alien, is offering his greatest temptations to mankind yet. He sends out hs demons to prey on the young, the chaste, and the starving artist. But the forces of Good have JC, the homeless amnesiac, on their side. Along with his new disciples, JC is out to reform the human population before the end of the world happens, which just happens to be in seven days.
I found myself enjoying this book for the witty lines and the early narration of JC. Not to give anything away but I found JC’s early observations to be hilarious. He often said things that days later I still found myself chuckling over.
But about midway through the book, I discovered that JC’s narration no longer kept me reading. It was the Satan chapters that kept me chuckling. For me, at this point, I was now more intrigued by the demonic minions: Adolf Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent van Gogh. How they went about corrupting mankind was essential for me to better understand the point the author was trying to make.
After I finished, I realized the author had masterfully used the initial concept of the book to bring to my mind concepts I had never considered before about our society. Though occasionally I found myself disconnecting with something said by a character or an image presented, this all helped build to the overall conclusion that is to be drawn from Devil’s Jazz.
I definitely would recommend reading Devil’s Jazz. Though it may not be what you initially expect to get, this book is well worth the read and certainly worthy of being read again.
I found myself enjoying this book for the witty lines and the early narration of JC. Not to give anything away but I found JC’s early observations to be hilarious. He often said things that days later I still found myself chuckling over.
But about midway through the book, I discovered that JC’s narration no longer kept me reading. It was the Satan chapters that kept me chuckling. For me, at this point, I was now more intrigued by the demonic minions: Adolf Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent van Gogh. How they went about corrupting mankind was essential for me to better understand the point the author was trying to make.
After I finished, I realized the author had masterfully used the initial concept of the book to bring to my mind concepts I had never considered before about our society. Though occasionally I found myself disconnecting with something said by a character or an image presented, this all helped build to the overall conclusion that is to be drawn from Devil’s Jazz.
I definitely would recommend reading Devil’s Jazz. Though it may not be what you initially expect to get, this book is well worth the read and certainly worthy of being read again.
March 13, 2009
Picture the world as a plaything; sort of like a halfway house between good and evil. This is essentially what Craig Forgrave creates in his eye-opening novel Devil Jazz.
When Satan reveals himself to the world as an extraterrestrial, he brings with him three key minions to do his bidding; Adolf Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent Van Gogh. Together they attempt to destroy the delicate balance of the world and mankind. Not with brute force or fantastical acts, but with cunning wit, persuasion, natural disasters, and technological advances, of course. On the opposing side, an amnesiac with nothing but his voice to sway mankind, and his small group of followers, who are working to derail the alien’s master plan and save the human race.
Full of timeless questions and lines you will want to write on your walls, Devil Jazz leaves no loose knots for the quintessential Good vs. Evil allegory. With elements of both social and political satire, Forgrave echoes the very essence of our being, faith. How will you fair in the face of an apocalypse? Will you stand up when no one else will? Or will you conform? Even if it's against everything you 'believe' in. Forgrave will help to hew these answers from the crux of your soul and beg the question, "Are people inherently good?”
When Satan reveals himself to the world as an extraterrestrial, he brings with him three key minions to do his bidding; Adolf Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent Van Gogh. Together they attempt to destroy the delicate balance of the world and mankind. Not with brute force or fantastical acts, but with cunning wit, persuasion, natural disasters, and technological advances, of course. On the opposing side, an amnesiac with nothing but his voice to sway mankind, and his small group of followers, who are working to derail the alien’s master plan and save the human race.
Full of timeless questions and lines you will want to write on your walls, Devil Jazz leaves no loose knots for the quintessential Good vs. Evil allegory. With elements of both social and political satire, Forgrave echoes the very essence of our being, faith. How will you fair in the face of an apocalypse? Will you stand up when no one else will? Or will you conform? Even if it's against everything you 'believe' in. Forgrave will help to hew these answers from the crux of your soul and beg the question, "Are people inherently good?”
June 21, 2009
Devil Jazz is the story of an alien named Armageddon's appearance to the world at large. What people do not know is that he is really Satan in disguise. He is attempting to bring chaos to the world, and uses three minions to help. Adolf Hitler appeals to the youth, Vincent Van Gogh appeals to the starving artists, and Marilyn Monroe uses her "talents" to seduce men.
However, in addition to Satan's arrival, a man with amnesia suddenly becomes viewed as the return of Christ after his face appears on a bathroom wall. He realizes that the world is set to end in 7 days and uses his influence on people to try and stop Satan's plans.
This is a very well-written book that will engage you the entire time. Satan's sudden popularity is reminiscent of the book of Revelations in the Bible. This is a showdown between what is right and what is wrong, and definitely worth a read.
However, in addition to Satan's arrival, a man with amnesia suddenly becomes viewed as the return of Christ after his face appears on a bathroom wall. He realizes that the world is set to end in 7 days and uses his influence on people to try and stop Satan's plans.
This is a very well-written book that will engage you the entire time. Satan's sudden popularity is reminiscent of the book of Revelations in the Bible. This is a showdown between what is right and what is wrong, and definitely worth a read.
February 16, 2011
Craig Forgrave's doomsday tale is as humorous as it is perceptive. When the apocalypse finally arrives, Satan comes to earth disguised as an wise-cracking alien named Armageddon and quickly infiltrates America with his three terrifyingly comical minions. Meanwhile, "J.C." (as he is called in the book) is the unlikely hero who rises to the challenge in an effort to save the souls of mankind... but do he and his motley crew of disciples really have a chance?
Devil Jazz is a very fun ride - full of laughs, wit, and all the sex and violence any red-blooded American should crave. Beyond its well-designed and laugh-out-loud plot however, there is a good dose of intelligent satire. I highly recommend Forgrave's book to anyone who claims moral purity, has a monopoly on truth, or is a fan of Marilyn Monroe. An excellent read!
Devil Jazz is a very fun ride - full of laughs, wit, and all the sex and violence any red-blooded American should crave. Beyond its well-designed and laugh-out-loud plot however, there is a good dose of intelligent satire. I highly recommend Forgrave's book to anyone who claims moral purity, has a monopoly on truth, or is a fan of Marilyn Monroe. An excellent read!
September 13, 2015
This is a First Reads for me - I won this as a Giveaway.
Doomsday is coming. Words of wisdom for those of you who have stock in those seasonal calendar kiosks that pop up in malls at Christmas time: "St. Paul was America's largest supplier of calendars; up to now a useful industry. with the imminent end of the world, the calendar market would suffer more than most."
Armageddon approaches. A showdown must ensue between the alien Armageddon (aka Satan, Beelzebub) and J.C., a man with no memory found drifting in a lifeboat in Doomsday Harbor, Long Island. Satan is assisted by his demons: Adolph Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent Van Gogh (who seems more lost than demonic). J.C. is joined by his disciples; among them are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
This book takes you on a wild ride where you never can tell what's around the corner. Of course you'll be thinking that good triumphs over evil. Doesn't it? But does it? This book is also irreverent, unhesitatingly bringing in themes such as patricide and animal sacrifice.
It took awhile to draw me into this story - I had no idea where this was going! It picked up for me toward the end as I began to get in the spirit of this satirical novel and was able to adjust my mindset to it. Each time I opened the book and started a new chapter, I'd have to tell myself "this is not your father's Oldsmobile" (or maybe it is, if your father's car had bright red headlights, mirrored windows, and an air-conditioner that exhaled a bit of hot sulpherous smoke from the vents).
Makes me wonder what new scheme the devil is cooking up as he's playing bass at that little jazz club on the corner of Brimstone and Fire.
Doomsday is coming. Words of wisdom for those of you who have stock in those seasonal calendar kiosks that pop up in malls at Christmas time: "St. Paul was America's largest supplier of calendars; up to now a useful industry. with the imminent end of the world, the calendar market would suffer more than most."
Armageddon approaches. A showdown must ensue between the alien Armageddon (aka Satan, Beelzebub) and J.C., a man with no memory found drifting in a lifeboat in Doomsday Harbor, Long Island. Satan is assisted by his demons: Adolph Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent Van Gogh (who seems more lost than demonic). J.C. is joined by his disciples; among them are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
This book takes you on a wild ride where you never can tell what's around the corner. Of course you'll be thinking that good triumphs over evil. Doesn't it? But does it? This book is also irreverent, unhesitatingly bringing in themes such as patricide and animal sacrifice.
It took awhile to draw me into this story - I had no idea where this was going! It picked up for me toward the end as I began to get in the spirit of this satirical novel and was able to adjust my mindset to it. Each time I opened the book and started a new chapter, I'd have to tell myself "this is not your father's Oldsmobile" (or maybe it is, if your father's car had bright red headlights, mirrored windows, and an air-conditioner that exhaled a bit of hot sulpherous smoke from the vents).
Makes me wonder what new scheme the devil is cooking up as he's playing bass at that little jazz club on the corner of Brimstone and Fire.
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August 29, 2012Great book, because I wrote it...
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews