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Dialogues with the Devil
Only a writer as eloquent as Taylor Caldwell can bring into such dramatic focus the mystery and terror of life. The revelations unfolded here illuminate the darkest corners of the human soul and strip us naked in the mirror of our own evil. What is to be the fate of the Universe? Of Man? Of Earth? Of the Devil? Does someone, somewhere, know? And, if so, who? Dialogues with the Devil is a breathtaking adventure of the mind into the soul that will live in your memory for a long time to come.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
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About the author
Taylor Caldwell
153 books558 followers Also known by the pen names Marcus Holland and Max Reiner.
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 29, 2025
On the day when you again allow abominable men to confiscate your freedom, your money, your lives, your private property, your manhood and your sacred honor, in the name of "security' or "national emergency' you will die, and never again shall you be free. If plotters again destroy your Republic, they will do it by your greedy and ignorant assent, by your disregard of your neighbors' rights, by your apathy and your stupidity. We were brought to the brink of universal death and darkness because we had become that most contemptible of people -- an angerless one. Keep alive and vivid all your righteous anger against traitors, against those who would lead you to wars with false slogans and cunning appeals to your patriotism.
Dialogues with the Devil ~~ Taylor Caldwell
This was my first exposure to Taylor Caldwell. It will not be my last. In fact, in addition to reading as many of her works as I can find, I will be reading Dialogues with the Devil: A Novel yearly. There is so much to take in here ~~ I hope with repeated readings I unlock more of Taylor Caldwell’s message.
It is the end of days, Lucifer Morning Star, ol' Scratch himself, wonders if his Father will trouble to breed another race after day of reckoning. Whoa is Lucifer, he'll only have to tempt them ~~ once more ~~ to certain death. On his Father's behalf, Archangel Michael responds. And thus begins a chain of letters between two brothers ~~ yes brothers ~~ affectionate and confrontational, about their purpose, their fears, their familial estrangement, and their Father's idiocy ~~ the human race.
The two brothers challenge each other on science and spirituality, physical love and emotional love, sexuality, the crucifixion, and the crimes committed by humankind. They debate the virtues of compassion and revenge, redemption and penance, and the laws of the Bible and its lies. Their civil discourse soon becomes a blistering tribunal of wits and wills.
The twist here is Lucifer loves God and despises the way humanity turns away from God. Highly recommended for those looking for deep theological discourses in the form of fiction.
Dialogues with the Devil ~~ Taylor Caldwell
This was my first exposure to Taylor Caldwell. It will not be my last. In fact, in addition to reading as many of her works as I can find, I will be reading Dialogues with the Devil: A Novel yearly. There is so much to take in here ~~ I hope with repeated readings I unlock more of Taylor Caldwell’s message.
It is the end of days, Lucifer Morning Star, ol' Scratch himself, wonders if his Father will trouble to breed another race after day of reckoning. Whoa is Lucifer, he'll only have to tempt them ~~ once more ~~ to certain death. On his Father's behalf, Archangel Michael responds. And thus begins a chain of letters between two brothers ~~ yes brothers ~~ affectionate and confrontational, about their purpose, their fears, their familial estrangement, and their Father's idiocy ~~ the human race.
The two brothers challenge each other on science and spirituality, physical love and emotional love, sexuality, the crucifixion, and the crimes committed by humankind. They debate the virtues of compassion and revenge, redemption and penance, and the laws of the Bible and its lies. Their civil discourse soon becomes a blistering tribunal of wits and wills.
The twist here is Lucifer loves God and despises the way humanity turns away from God. Highly recommended for those looking for deep theological discourses in the form of fiction.
March 20, 2023
Long pages of theology
⛅️ I first read this book when I was a teen and was fascinated by it. Years later, I find it tedious. Page after page of two archangels arguing theology with one another regarding sin and damnation and the pathetic state of the human race. There are some interesting concepts, yes, but you have to wade through solid blocks of debate without relief to find them. This is not a story. You have to be more in the mood for an ideological to and fro. I’m not sure it stirred my thinking all that much. I will not return to it.
⛅️ I first read this book when I was a teen and was fascinated by it. Years later, I find it tedious. Page after page of two archangels arguing theology with one another regarding sin and damnation and the pathetic state of the human race. There are some interesting concepts, yes, but you have to wade through solid blocks of debate without relief to find them. This is not a story. You have to be more in the mood for an ideological to and fro. I’m not sure it stirred my thinking all that much. I will not return to it.
November 9, 2009
Something must be wrong with me. Normally I have a high tolerance to crap, especially if it has to do with religion, but this book I just can't read anymore of. I made it a quarter of the way through, but it's so fucking repetitive. I get it, Satan hates humanity because he loves God so much, that it sickens him to think about dirty humans getting immortal souls, so in his hatred of them he looks to destroy them. Michael disagrees, and stands up God. They write letters back and forth that are painfully redundant, and tiresome in their language.
The author states in the forward that midway through the book it was as if he was no longer writing the words, but they were being channeled to him. Cough*bullshit*ahem.
Anti-intellectualism. Inane logical leaps, and basically a reactionary attack on any kind of progressive politics. I know I should finish this book, it's awful to leave books only partially read, but I just can't do it. I can't. I've read enough shit, and I don't want to read anymore of this shit.
The author states in the forward that midway through the book it was as if he was no longer writing the words, but they were being channeled to him. Cough*bullshit*ahem.
Anti-intellectualism. Inane logical leaps, and basically a reactionary attack on any kind of progressive politics. I know I should finish this book, it's awful to leave books only partially read, but I just can't do it. I can't. I've read enough shit, and I don't want to read anymore of this shit.
November 29, 2008
Lucifer talks to Michael on another planet about earth, his feelings about the Father and the mistake the Father made.
Lucifer believes God made a mistake creating humans. This is the cause for the rift between them.
Michael tries to get Lucifer to admit he is wrong and return to heaven.
Lucifer is angry that God sends his son to die for our sins.
The conversation seems so real. I can imagine Lucifer and Michael talking.
The imagery and words are profound.
This is one of my favorite books.
Lucifer believes God made a mistake creating humans. This is the cause for the rift between them.
Michael tries to get Lucifer to admit he is wrong and return to heaven.
Lucifer is angry that God sends his son to die for our sins.
The conversation seems so real. I can imagine Lucifer and Michael talking.
The imagery and words are profound.
This is one of my favorite books.
January 17, 2013
Although I’m not religious, if you want to read a book which gets you thinking what the mind of god might be like, beg borrow or steal a copy of Dialogues with the devil by Taylor Caldwell. It’s long out of print but may be found on the internet although sometimes at stupidly high prices. I read it many years ago and have re read it several times since. This book made even my atheistic view of existence shift maybe a little. Certainly more than life of Pi did anyway.
July 22, 2013
The Imagination put into this work is truly commendable. Here, we have the correspondence between the angelic brothers Lucifer, Michael, & Gabriel. Lucifer having all the wit, indignation, & charm, of course, while his brothers ramble on in their delusional haze about padre jehovah, themselves being mere clones, parroting off his words. Whereas Lucifer has developed into His own entity, expressing His disgust fot the rotten inhabitants of Terra, always acting as prosecutor, in order to weed out the worthless amongst them. Lucifer holds His own opinions, devoid of sanctimonious hogwash, or a nebulous, unconditional "love" for the self-destructive creatures that infest the planet.
Obviously, this book is a spin-off of judeo-xian lore, but that can be easily overlooked for the literary brilliance Caldwell presents. Most all of this Lucifer's letters are truly Satanic, except this particular character seeks to annihilate Terra altogether. Thus, throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Dialogues With The Devil is extremely entertaining, & Satanists will be able to relate to the majority of Lucifer's misanthropic diatribes. I found it to be quite inspiring at times, while contemplating the rebellious & Individualistic spirit of the Rebel King of Hell.
One most notable annoyance I experienced, was the typically xian depiction of the tormented souls of the "damned" in this Underworld. Here, Hell is made to be a true dimension of torture, as the inhabitants have lost the power of creation, of originality, & all acts become redundant, while heaven is represented as a wonderful paradise of creative thought. The catch, however, is that all is done to please the hypocritical, lethargic, & narcissistic jehovah. Ego takes a back seat. Beside this stuporstitious annoyance, the generative whole is definitely with the reading.
Dialogues With The Devil is underrated, classic literature, that I suspect is too disturbing for the masses to digest. Thus, its occult nature.
Obviously, this book is a spin-off of judeo-xian lore, but that can be easily overlooked for the literary brilliance Caldwell presents. Most all of this Lucifer's letters are truly Satanic, except this particular character seeks to annihilate Terra altogether. Thus, throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Dialogues With The Devil is extremely entertaining, & Satanists will be able to relate to the majority of Lucifer's misanthropic diatribes. I found it to be quite inspiring at times, while contemplating the rebellious & Individualistic spirit of the Rebel King of Hell.
One most notable annoyance I experienced, was the typically xian depiction of the tormented souls of the "damned" in this Underworld. Here, Hell is made to be a true dimension of torture, as the inhabitants have lost the power of creation, of originality, & all acts become redundant, while heaven is represented as a wonderful paradise of creative thought. The catch, however, is that all is done to please the hypocritical, lethargic, & narcissistic jehovah. Ego takes a back seat. Beside this stuporstitious annoyance, the generative whole is definitely with the reading.
Dialogues With The Devil is underrated, classic literature, that I suspect is too disturbing for the masses to digest. Thus, its occult nature.
July 17, 2013
One of my all-time favorite books. Found at the back of my Grandma's book cupboard when I was about 13 - the title was so shocking to find in Grandma's books I *had* to read it. Read it all sitting right there in the hallway, by the bathroom, half my lap in a pile of books as I'd been digging through them.
Offers up simply great answers back and forth for what the true nature of Man is.
Offers up simply great answers back and forth for what the true nature of Man is.
April 29, 2009
One of favorite old books. This book is written as a series of conversations with Lucifer who expounds on the mysteries of life, fate of the universe, how he came to be where he is today, etc. Rather interesting reading.
March 1, 2012
Taylor Caldwell has created a very thoughtful and original idea that will cause readers to do a lot of thinking about religion. The story is told through back and forth letters between the devil and the Archangel Michael. A must for thinking readers.
December 21, 2018
On the one hand, this book is eloquent and clever, with gentle humor and two vividly drawn characters. (Don't worry about the other characters: there are many, but they are cannon fodder in the cosmic war, and exist only to illustrate a point.) It does something new with a popular theme, and does it deftly.
On the other hand, all of this brilliance ends up serving a message so small-minded and mean-spirited that I felt ashamed for reading it. Below the surface, it's a rehash of the same shallow ideas: "won't those atheists be surprised when they end up in Hell?", "who are you to question God?", "all religions are secretly Christian, they just don't know it yet", "God made men to lead and women to serve", etc. etc. etc. The anti-intellectualism and gleeful cruelty are disappointing.
On the other hand, all of this brilliance ends up serving a message so small-minded and mean-spirited that I felt ashamed for reading it. Below the surface, it's a rehash of the same shallow ideas: "won't those atheists be surprised when they end up in Hell?", "who are you to question God?", "all religions are secretly Christian, they just don't know it yet", "God made men to lead and women to serve", etc. etc. etc. The anti-intellectualism and gleeful cruelty are disappointing.
September 10, 2013
I started reading this book many, many, many years ago. It is a series of letters back and forth between the Archangel Michael and the fallen angel Lucifer. The arguments Lucifer puts forth made sense to me and I found myself agreeing with his point of view more often than with Michael's. That scared me enough to stop reading it. I tried reading it again last year and the same thing happened. Really weird.
June 27, 2012
I love Taylor Caldwell. This novel consists of letters between St. Michael the Archangel and his brother Lucifer. Very well written and thought provoking. It's one of those books that will stay with me.
March 14, 2022
Third book I read in a row on a conflict between Heaven and Hell. Unlike the previous books goal here is not to show how fallout happened but how the fight proceeds between Heaven and Hell after the Fall.
Big L is not shown as a rebel who was misunderstood but as an activist who dedicates his full attention to destruction of man, being he sees as a creation that desecrates his very view of Heaven. What happens is that L starts sending mail to Big G and this soon gets relegated to M from Heaven's end. What starts as a correspondence between two brothers soon escalates into discussions about humankind, their role in the worlds, how easily they get manipulated and ultimately drawn onto the path of destruction.
This is not so much story about Heaven and Hell (although philosophical questions about origins of Evil and conflict with Good are present) but story of Humankind.
Author's thoughts would surely trigger today's PC public, especially adherents to the progressive movement in politics. When you think about it isn't it interesting that today, when we all talk about equality and rights and all those picky elements of modern social progressiveness, people are living in more divisive society than ever, individuals and groups get ostracized within hours if they are against the public opinion, latest development is that their financials (literary means of living) get frozen because of it.
It is as if majority feel need for something, for belonging to something greater, majority feels their lives have lost all meaning (as I said just look at destructive behavior of last few years that indicate complete loss of goals in life except destruction and accepting whatever is currently fashionable and just itching to push around people questioning the majority). Earlier all of these people would flock to religion, but today religion is a big no-no and as a consequence secular institutions and people are watched through the prism of religious zealotry.
Part of the book about Lencia had a greatest impact on me - planet that was destroyed through people being led and finally mentally destroyed through coerced and then voluntary isolation [because of need for absolute security] culminating for all means and purposes in total imprisonment of masses while elites live life of leisure. This rang so close to heart because of last few years.....chilling.
Interesting book. Whether reader rejects the book in its entirety or identifies with parts of the book you will definitely have to say something about it.
Highly recommended.
Big L is not shown as a rebel who was misunderstood but as an activist who dedicates his full attention to destruction of man, being he sees as a creation that desecrates his very view of Heaven. What happens is that L starts sending mail to Big G and this soon gets relegated to M from Heaven's end. What starts as a correspondence between two brothers soon escalates into discussions about humankind, their role in the worlds, how easily they get manipulated and ultimately drawn onto the path of destruction.
This is not so much story about Heaven and Hell (although philosophical questions about origins of Evil and conflict with Good are present) but story of Humankind.
Author's thoughts would surely trigger today's PC public, especially adherents to the progressive movement in politics. When you think about it isn't it interesting that today, when we all talk about equality and rights and all those picky elements of modern social progressiveness, people are living in more divisive society than ever, individuals and groups get ostracized within hours if they are against the public opinion, latest development is that their financials (literary means of living) get frozen because of it.
It is as if majority feel need for something, for belonging to something greater, majority feels their lives have lost all meaning (as I said just look at destructive behavior of last few years that indicate complete loss of goals in life except destruction and accepting whatever is currently fashionable and just itching to push around people questioning the majority). Earlier all of these people would flock to religion, but today religion is a big no-no and as a consequence secular institutions and people are watched through the prism of religious zealotry.
Part of the book about Lencia had a greatest impact on me - planet that was destroyed through people being led and finally mentally destroyed through coerced and then voluntary isolation [because of need for absolute security] culminating for all means and purposes in total imprisonment of masses while elites live life of leisure. This rang so close to heart because of last few years.....chilling.
Interesting book. Whether reader rejects the book in its entirety or identifies with parts of the book you will definitely have to say something about it.
Highly recommended.
February 4, 2016
This is a collection of beautifully composed, albeit fictional letters between the Archangels Michael and Lucifer, and has absolutely the most abysmal title imaginable for such a worthy read. I have loved this book for a long, long time despite the clear bias of the author's well-known misanthropy, Catholicism and the horrid choice in title, which is cliché at best and gives a false impression of content at worst. Dialogues with the Morning Star would have been more suitable and in fair keeping with the overall mythology.
June 19, 2022
Well worth a read, in the genre of Screwtape Letters (CS Lewis)
Sadly falls short of a four star...
I will give it credit for some interesting perspectives, but apart from a couple of paragraphs from which I have used quotes, it lacks variety.
Taylor brings the book 'up to date' (mid 1960's) with a short focus on Russia/China vs USA, not seeing much value in either side. Sadly in that she is probably right.
She misses the 'haunting' reality the Lewis creates in his sci-fi of his day in, That Hideous Strength.
Sadly falls short of a four star...
I will give it credit for some interesting perspectives, but apart from a couple of paragraphs from which I have used quotes, it lacks variety.
Taylor brings the book 'up to date' (mid 1960's) with a short focus on Russia/China vs USA, not seeing much value in either side. Sadly in that she is probably right.
She misses the 'haunting' reality the Lewis creates in his sci-fi of his day in, That Hideous Strength.
September 22, 2015
An interesting concept. Taylor Caldwell writes the archangels as supremely florid speakers, so be ready for wordiness. Occasional sexism aside if you can push through a bit of repetitiveness there are a couple of fascinating points made in this book about the nature of evil, God's "grand plan" & omniscience, and what it means to be essentially a rebel of thought in a room full of obedience. 3.5
August 25, 2012
I love this author.... This book is a favorite !!! Great insight into the soul..
A book of letters between 'Michael and 'Lucifer....... so well written..
A book of letters between 'Michael and 'Lucifer....... so well written..
February 25, 2019
I can only imagine the ‘war’ in Caldwell’s head in discerning the arguments between ArchAngel Michael and yes, ArchAngel Lucifer in discerning where man stands on Terra (Earth). Nevertheless, I am acutely fascinated with this book as it screams to man to discern where his/her soul really is and why it is where man chooses. Irrespective of his/her choice, there is still a price to pay for one’s choice; the consequences are what one cannot escape from!
Moreover, I must thank my long lost colleague for recommending this book to me long ago. Though it is out of print, it is worth seeking out and reading!
Dialogues with the Devil is a back and forth letter communication between ArchAngel Michael and (again, yes) ArchAngel Lucifer. Michael attempts to warn man as well as other beings of other worlds of Lucifer’s temptations. On the other hand, Lucifer contends that he liberates man from God’s mental enslavement, with the pivot point of man’s (and other beings) having free will. Free will lets one choose and consider the consequences, but the crucial question is does man (and other beings) do that, or are we so tempted, beguiled by what we’re tempted with that we don’t consider let alone see the consequences of our choice? What then, is the point of having free will if one is not going to (choose to) use it wisely?
I am also taken aback about the seduction by Damon, for the women, and Lilith for the men. Men and women have different orientations toward seduction, which is compelling enough. Nevertheless, the goal of Damon and Lilith, both Lucifer’s demons, to seduce the sexes is the same: to seduce to the point where one doesn’t remember and/or appreciate what one has … until it is irreparably destroyed or gone. Still, the man or woman is not absolved of the choice because one has free will to consider the consequences and ‘who’ is in charge of inciting the presented choice.
What is ironic in this book is both sides have a point! The crucial difference is where one (really) is in making that choice: for one’s selfish, deceptive benefit, or in consideration for what the consequences are beyond oneself. One ‘knows’ the difference, but does one honesty and consciously act to that end?
Moreover, I must thank my long lost colleague for recommending this book to me long ago. Though it is out of print, it is worth seeking out and reading!
Dialogues with the Devil is a back and forth letter communication between ArchAngel Michael and (again, yes) ArchAngel Lucifer. Michael attempts to warn man as well as other beings of other worlds of Lucifer’s temptations. On the other hand, Lucifer contends that he liberates man from God’s mental enslavement, with the pivot point of man’s (and other beings) having free will. Free will lets one choose and consider the consequences, but the crucial question is does man (and other beings) do that, or are we so tempted, beguiled by what we’re tempted with that we don’t consider let alone see the consequences of our choice? What then, is the point of having free will if one is not going to (choose to) use it wisely?
I am also taken aback about the seduction by Damon, for the women, and Lilith for the men. Men and women have different orientations toward seduction, which is compelling enough. Nevertheless, the goal of Damon and Lilith, both Lucifer’s demons, to seduce the sexes is the same: to seduce to the point where one doesn’t remember and/or appreciate what one has … until it is irreparably destroyed or gone. Still, the man or woman is not absolved of the choice because one has free will to consider the consequences and ‘who’ is in charge of inciting the presented choice.
What is ironic in this book is both sides have a point! The crucial difference is where one (really) is in making that choice: for one’s selfish, deceptive benefit, or in consideration for what the consequences are beyond oneself. One ‘knows’ the difference, but does one honesty and consciously act to that end?
December 2, 2019
Vaguely reminiscent of The Screwtape Letters, except this is a series of letters between Lucifer and Michael. A faint tinge of science fiction flavours the book since it discusses the wonders of so many different planets, peopled by humans both fallen and unfallen, all artfully and poetically described. The eloquence of Caldwell's writing shines through the formality of the letters.
The verbal joust between the archangel brothers, Lucifer and Michael, presents an interesting view of hell: a place where all desires are satisfied; where there is no challenge; nothing to aspire to; knowledge is not concealed but revealed; equality is everything; satiety is all. It's eternal boredom.
Heaven, on the other hand, presents ever-increasing vistas of knowledge, new light around corners, equity instead of equality, challenges to be surmounted.
Lucifer has been relentless, across countless ages and numberless planets, in proving God was wrong to create mankind and to give humanity the "flaw" of free will. Time and again, that has meant humanity has despoiled and destroyed planets. Lucifer claims that he never compels; only tempts and entices. Humanity has almost always chosen the path of depravity; proving Lucifer right in his rebellion against God for creating such an evil blight that so consistently defiles the universe. He is assured of final victory... but there are one or two prophecies that concern him and he has an uneasy feeling about that small pernicious planet Terra where the humans are so much worse that others they killed God when He visited them as the Christ. Did what happened at Calvary also affect humans on other planets? Or just Terra?
The unanswerables remain unanswerable and the paradoxes remain unsolvable; but the book does a fine job of speculating on the possibles.
The verbal joust between the archangel brothers, Lucifer and Michael, presents an interesting view of hell: a place where all desires are satisfied; where there is no challenge; nothing to aspire to; knowledge is not concealed but revealed; equality is everything; satiety is all. It's eternal boredom.
Heaven, on the other hand, presents ever-increasing vistas of knowledge, new light around corners, equity instead of equality, challenges to be surmounted.
Lucifer has been relentless, across countless ages and numberless planets, in proving God was wrong to create mankind and to give humanity the "flaw" of free will. Time and again, that has meant humanity has despoiled and destroyed planets. Lucifer claims that he never compels; only tempts and entices. Humanity has almost always chosen the path of depravity; proving Lucifer right in his rebellion against God for creating such an evil blight that so consistently defiles the universe. He is assured of final victory... but there are one or two prophecies that concern him and he has an uneasy feeling about that small pernicious planet Terra where the humans are so much worse that others they killed God when He visited them as the Christ. Did what happened at Calvary also affect humans on other planets? Or just Terra?
The unanswerables remain unanswerable and the paradoxes remain unsolvable; but the book does a fine job of speculating on the possibles.
April 14, 2025
Greetings, to my Goodreads friends (iykyk)
This book is definitely up my alley. Questions of theology while giving some incite into the doings of angels and demons.
Here we have letters going between Lucifer and Micheal. Lucifer makes his reasons for his hatred of mankind clear - he loves God so much he does not want them to sully him, as they are so low and easily corrupted by him. (Though, at the end he shows some rage at the creator, which I wish this turn was explored more). Micheal is dutiful to God, and wishes for the devils redemption.
I wanted to love the discussions in this book more, as it is all discussion and very little plot (until the end), but they got so repetitive and sometimes off putting. The author definitely inserted some of his own bias against intellectualism and feminism into both of the characters.
Still glad I picked it up, but I wanted sooooo much more from a book claiming to be giving the devil the mic
Some quotes…
-“ Love can destroy as well as evil, and if you were cast from Heaven it was not because of your evil but through your haughty love.”
-“You once told me that hell is hell because no love can dwell there, and love is impossible. That is true. But love is passive and hatred is active, and man is always active like an insect which can never be still. Therefore, Mi-chael, I shall win at last, for man is invariably enthusiastic and zealous, and languishes only when there is nothing to hate.”
- “Therefore, it is not sinfulness which is irrational, but virtue, though I prefer to call your virtue weak stupidity “
This book is definitely up my alley. Questions of theology while giving some incite into the doings of angels and demons.
Here we have letters going between Lucifer and Micheal. Lucifer makes his reasons for his hatred of mankind clear - he loves God so much he does not want them to sully him, as they are so low and easily corrupted by him. (Though, at the end he shows some rage at the creator, which I wish this turn was explored more). Micheal is dutiful to God, and wishes for the devils redemption.
I wanted to love the discussions in this book more, as it is all discussion and very little plot (until the end), but they got so repetitive and sometimes off putting. The author definitely inserted some of his own bias against intellectualism and feminism into both of the characters.
Still glad I picked it up, but I wanted sooooo much more from a book claiming to be giving the devil the mic
Some quotes…
-“ Love can destroy as well as evil, and if you were cast from Heaven it was not because of your evil but through your haughty love.”
-“You once told me that hell is hell because no love can dwell there, and love is impossible. That is true. But love is passive and hatred is active, and man is always active like an insect which can never be still. Therefore, Mi-chael, I shall win at last, for man is invariably enthusiastic and zealous, and languishes only when there is nothing to hate.”
- “Therefore, it is not sinfulness which is irrational, but virtue, though I prefer to call your virtue weak stupidity “
January 2, 2026
Ok im sorry this is a triggering book. I give some credit for sci fi ideas. I guess if you like cringe, this could work, but do not repeat or force on others. I am sad to say some people really are like this, but this is not like definitive information. So this is like mark twain, which was better i think, but the show was weird (mysterious stranger). By the way u lose choices with demons and hell. HOWEVER, people may be born poor or subject to abuse, so you should just get books that inspire good actions. If she had other bible stuff, any suspicions or assumptions on anyone else could get ya in trouble.
November 23, 2022
Michael and Lucifer share a correspondence centering on Lucifer's hatred and jealousy of man. This correspondence strips our weaknesses bare, exposes our penchant for using our free will to make the wrong/flashy/materialistic/hedonistic choices over obedience to God. Although the focus is on Terra, Caldwell also describes other occupied planets and their downfall. Written in 1967, it hits on topics of concern today (government corruption and decreasing morality) and raises the question: Why was Lucifer created?
December 9, 2022
“What has virtue to offer in comparison, though virtue is eternal life? Does virtue possess the drama, the violence, the color, the frantic vehemence, the terrible euphoria, the laughter and and noise and ecstasies of evil, and yes, the enormous capacity for destruction? Verily, it does not. It is a weariness to man, as You have regretfully observed ten thousand times ten thousand millennia over and over. The desire for wickedness and death is far greater in the breasts of mankind than the desire for innocence and life.”
October 1, 2018
Great Spiritual Novel
I first read this novel (in paperback) between the ages of 12 and 14. I found it spellbinding then, and do still. I lost my copy ages ago and hadn't been able to replace it - out of print maybe? I was delighted to have found it in the Kindle format. I live in a fifth wheel now, and lack the space for my enormous library
I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in religious philosophy or in things of the spirit.
I first read this novel (in paperback) between the ages of 12 and 14. I found it spellbinding then, and do still. I lost my copy ages ago and hadn't been able to replace it - out of print maybe? I was delighted to have found it in the Kindle format. I live in a fifth wheel now, and lack the space for my enormous library
I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in religious philosophy or in things of the spirit.
April 28, 2025
DIALOGUES WITH THE DEVIL by Taylor Caldwell -- Two of God's creations, Lucifer and the Archangel Michael, (they both call God their Father), carry on a series of discussions and debates about theology, religion, faith, creation, spirituality, science, love, family, morality, the crucifixion of God's son Jesus and other human crimes. Was God's creation of man a mistake, and was man's endowment of free will also? And what is to be man's fate?
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January 10, 2026Religion based on the concept that Satan is out to teach God that humans do not deserve the gifts we are given. He lays his plans out to the Arch Angel (his brother) through correspondence. Both characters try baiting each other through these letters as they discuss how Satan will destroy different worlds in some very creative ways. Using every vice from temptation to technology he continuously seems to win his argument as different worlds fall to his manipulations. A fascinating book.
September 30, 2019
Great book, it makes you think and question yourself about different things that may be blocking your potential. Thinking that there is a "magical" been that is responsible for all the bad that happens to you and your surroundings, takes away your responsibility over the decisions you make and the acceptance of the consequences of those decisions.
June 19, 2023
WOW! I was shocked at how good this was! What an interesting take on Lucifer’s relationship with the other angels. This was a page turner for me and really challenged my thoughts on how BIG God really is, His creation (are we really the only ones?), and His relationship with His creation (including the angels). Beautiful.
March 15, 2025
A Timeless Masterpiece
Lucifer writes a letter to his Father. Michael the Archangel, brother of Lucifer, responds on behalf of their Father. What ensues is a passionate exchange of correspondences between the brothers that lays bear in vivid, often disturbing clarity humankind’s struggle with good and evil. This is my favorite writing from my favorite author!
Lucifer writes a letter to his Father. Michael the Archangel, brother of Lucifer, responds on behalf of their Father. What ensues is a passionate exchange of correspondences between the brothers that lays bear in vivid, often disturbing clarity humankind’s struggle with good and evil. This is my favorite writing from my favorite author!
March 9, 2017
Amazing imagery as Michael and Lucifer discuss humanity, sin, heaven, and hell. It's one to read again to catch all the nuances and ramifications of each one's argument. Definitely worth reading and would likely provide food for thought for any thoughtful person.
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