Asimov Fantasies: Devils

This is number eight in the Isaac Asimov's Magical Worlds of Fantasy anthology series published by signet in the 1980s. Stated bluntly, these books never disappoint. Though the stories are previously published, Messrs. Asimov, Greenberg , and Waugh are/were masters at mining a century's worth of published fiction to select the best stories on a given topic, without partiality or prejudice. What results is a wonderful mix of classic stories and rarely-seen gems, written by grand masters and by virtual unknowns. "Devils" is no exception. This volume features eighteen witty, unique variations on a very tired and shopworn theme: deals (and other interactions) with the devil. This is also an excellent example of the breadth of the editors' selection process; Tolstoy and Stephen Vincent Benet are here, as well as genre legends like Philip Jose Farmer, and people you've never heard of as well. My only complaint (and it is a petty one) is there are no introductions to the stories, as there have been in previous volumes of this series. They are missed, because 1) they were interesting, and 2) they provided needed information on some of the lesser-known writers. It is a ludicrous little complaint that should in no way discourage you from picking this up (or picking up any of the volumes in this series) if you run across it. I'd rather read a good sixty-year-old story than a lousy new one, wouldn't you? The offerings: "I'm Dangerous Tonight" by Cornell Woolrich (1937): A dress inspired by Satan brings misery wherever it goes. "The Devil in Exile" by Brian Cleeve (1968): Overthrown in an infernal coup, Satan comes to earth and finds work in an influential industry. "The Cage" by Ray Russell (1959): Ill effects follow behind a castle servant who may or may not be more than he appears. "The Tale of Ivan the Fool" by Leo Tolstoy (1890): Yes, that Tolstoy. The Devil meddles in the lives of three wealthy brothers. "The Shepherds" by Ruth Sawyer (1941): Odd little tale of a celestial battle on the night of Christ's birth. "He Stepped on the Devil's Tail" by Winston K. Marks (1955): An inspirationally virginal college student becomes the focal point of Satan's attempt to spread immorality. "Rustle of Wings" by Frederic Brown (1953): Short tale of an enigmatic salesman who drops by the house for a game of cards, with a soul as the stakes. "That Hell-Bound Train" by Robert Bloch (1958): A man sells his soul for an ability he thinks will get him out of having to pay up in the end. "Added Inducement" by Robert F. Young (1957): Humorous tale of an infernal TV set; doesn't really hold up well today. "The Devil and Daniel Webster" by Stephen Vincent Benet (1936): The famous Saturday Evening Post story of an attorney who argues against Satan on behalf of his client's soul. "Colt .24" by Rick Hautala (1987): A man is provided a seemingly ineffectual gun by Satan to do away with his wife. This is a nice, tight little story, with an ending that is no less effecti

From a man too simple for the devil to fool, to a college student taking an honors class in temptation, here are tales of black magic and demonic enchantment-stories of those who heed Satan's siren song and those ready to match wits with this most cunning of opponents. So get ready for some red-hot reading about the age-old battle between humans and their ever-present foe as you settle in for a devilish good time in Asimov's Book No. 8 in his "Magical Worlds of Fantasy". Includes dastardly deeds, damnable deals, and divergent depictions - Enjoy!