Old Man and Mr. Smith: A Fable

What a shame this book is no longer in print! I adore this book to its core. What a beautiful story. The text on the back said it was a hilarious comedy about god and the devil returning to earth to see what happened to creation, but as a matter of fact it is so much more. It is about society, it is about humanity, it is about downfall. And yes, it is extremely witty. I am so glad I found it at the shelves of my favorite second hand book shopping place. I do hope it will get back into print, so more people can enjoy this awesome tale.

In this amusing fable, God and the Devil have taken mortal forms to meet and walk the earth in examination of their handiwork. Naturally, there are a number of stumbling blocks. One, when they first need to pay for something, God pulls random currency from his pocket. This quickly gets the duo in trouble with the FBI, who chase them for the remainder of the trip. Two, no one believes them when they tell them who they really are (hardly surprising). Starting in the US, the bickering twosome end up hitting a number of contents and capitols before their time runs out. Ustinov uses this conceit to make loads of wry observations on humanity, as well specific cultural and political types. There are lots of deep thoughts stirred into this romp, and although a bit hammy, it is worth a read. It definitely makes me want to read some other of Ustinov's fiction, as he has a nimble way with his prose.

Peter Ustinov unleashes a stuning aray of irony and logic, as he tracks "the old man" and "Mr. Smith" through thier less than triumphant return to earth. One of the most thought provoking books I've read since Desolation Angles.