Pandemonium

In alternate America, random people have been possessed by "demons" since the end of WWII; the demons manifest as around 100 personalities with strong parallels to various Jungian archetypes and common names such as "the Captain," "the Truth," "the Little Angel." The story is told in first person by Del, a young man who was possessed as a boy. With the help...more

In alternate America, random people have been possessed by "demons" since the end of WWII; the demons manifest as around 100 personalities with strong parallels to various Jungian archetypes and common names such as "the Captain," "the Truth," "the Little Angel." The story is told in first person by Del, a young man who was possessed as a boy. With the help of a therapist, he managed to trap the demon in his mind--but the demon never really left. Recently he's been having spells of what looks like mental illness, which he is convinced are the demon leaking through his control. He's searching for an exorcist and his "Very Bigger Brother," Lew, is along for the ride. Del finds ex-exorcist Mother Mariette, a Sinead-O'Connor-type schism Catholic church priest with a history of being possessed. Author gives away the trick ending halfway through the book. Philip K. Dick as possessed by Valis is a character.   hide

This is one of the books you hate to see end.

Good, original book. Worth the cheesy dialogue.

I like it but it wasn't a quick read, and I agree with the conspiracy theorists-turned-anti demonic commando stuff took away from the book. For being a first book it was good book and I will look for more of Daryl Gregory.

http://www.reflectionsedge.com/bookrev/bookrev_pandemonium.html

A solid first novel with a uniquely sympathetic take on demonic possession. Important questions are left to reader interpretation, which I found refreshing after reading so many formulaic fantasy novels. The book falters midway (the arrival of pudgy conspiracy theorists-turned-antidemonic commandos clashes with the tone of the novel) but regains its footing to reach a satisfying...more

A solid first novel with a uniquely sympathetic take on demonic possession. Important questions are left to reader interpretation, which I found refreshing after reading so many formulaic fantasy novels. The book falters midway (the arrival of pudgy conspiracy theorists-turned-antidemonic commandos clashes with the tone of the novel) but regains its footing to reach a satisfying conclusion.   hide

Fun, fun, fun! Of course I'm biased because Daryl wrote it but I guarantee it's a page turner. Even people who don't love sci-fi/fantasy will enjoy this book (that would be me!!)