Demon: A Memoir

Clayton's life is stuck in the mud. His wife has been cheating on him for years, his literary career is uninspired, and his job as an editor is mediocre at best. But when he walks into a restaurant and finds a mysterious dark-haired stranger waiting for him, his life dramatically changes. The stranger claims to be Lucian, one of Lucifer's fellow fallen angels, come to tell Clay his story of the angels' dramatic fall from Heaven, Adam and Eve's Eden, and Christ's triumph on the cross - from a demon's perspective. This seems just the thing to get Clay's career jumpstarted, but it could mean his ultimate success or failure as Lucian's story seems to become more and more like his own. Tosca Lee, paperback, 325 pages.

In Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee, the central character has a story to tell you. It’s a story that will become your own. He’s not a self-help guru, a novelist, or an inspirational speaker. He’s a demon.

Clay has had a successful career as a book editor, but he has never had a client like this before. When a man named Lucian introduces himself as a demon and asks Clay to write his memoirs, he is more than a little skeptical. But as unnatural events begin to occur around him, he is forced to accept the stranger’s claim as truth. He is soon drawn into Lucian’s story, a tale of creation, rejection, and reconciliation. But can one trust a demon?

Demon: A Memoir begins slowly, presenting the story of Satan’s fall and Earth’s creation almost as a demonic exposé. This story puts a new spin on the biblical account, giving insights into the possible thoughts and motives of fallen angels. Lucian paints them as sympathetic sufferers, unfairly treated and hastily judged.

The story continues through layers of biblical history, but as Clay is carried through the demon’s memories, he finds that Lucian is becoming more unpredictable and hostile. The last half of the book builds ominously as Clay gradually uncovers the demon’s true intention.

The book is fairly well written for a first novel. The author has a tendency to over-explain some concepts of the Christian faith, and most of her similes are painful to read; but, overall, the style is not unpleasant. Lee does avoid, however, many of the clichés found in other novels about angels and demons. The characters are well-rounded and seem human…even those who are not.

The target audience of this book is hard to determine. This is neither an action-packed thriller nor a cozy inspirational story. Instead, it is a subtly disturbing psychological suspense novel driven by the development and eventual decomposition of Clay’s character. It is recommended for those who are willing to be unnerved but who do not mind waiting until near the end of the book for the plot to intensify.

The pacing of the book is maintained well, leaving the reader unsettled and vaguely disturbed as the truth is gradually revealed. Although seemingly straightforward at first, the book delivers some genuine surprises. Ultimately, the ending is left up to the reader to complete, with Clay’s fate undisclosed. The last few chapters show the author’s willingness to follow the story to its inevitable conclusion instead of succumbing to the expectations of the general Christian market. -- Nathan Biberdorf, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Roxanne Kabotsky (Smyrna, TN), November 20, 2009

This book was compelling, I could not put it down. The similarities between Lucian's life and Clay's life are amazing. As Clay hears the demon's story, he is more and more aware that the underlying theme parallels his life almost exactly. Ms. Lee told the story from the fallen angel's point of view, I felt sorry for the demon, and yet, he was completely unrepentant for his actions. I could not be certain if Clay actually repented of his sins and came to a new life in Christ or not. This left me feeling uncomfortable, and I did not know if the author planned the ending to affect readers that way. All in all, this was a great book and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a new viewpoint.

Reviewed by Elizabeth (Tyler, Texas), May 09, 2009

I think Tosca Lee might very well be my new favorite christian author. She writes in a way that paints a picture of what could be or might have been. I will say I entered into this one with great hesitation because of the subject. However, I found it to be reminiscent of the CS Lewis' Screwtape Letters. Great read.

Reviewed by Lynn Rush (Phoenix, AZ), November 18, 2008

Intriguing. Tosca Lee drew me in with her masterful writing. The first scene in the cafe immediately captured me. The description was amazing. I actually felt like I was in there with Clay. She does a fantastic job throughout the book pulling me into her scenes with the description and the dialogue. Oh, how my heart broke for Clay on so many different levels as I followed him on his journey. Tosca Lee was able to draw me into that character very well. This was my first experience reading Tosca's work, but I see myself reading all her future projects as well.

Reviewed by Deena @ My Bookshelf (Olivehurst, CA), October 13, 2008

This is what I like to call speculative fiction. It poses the question, "What if?", and then proceeds to mess with the reader's mind, opening up a dialogue and causing the reader to think outside the box. "Demon: A Memoir" is a what if of huge proportions. What if a demon could be interviewed by a human being, and what if it was written down for the world to read? What would we gain? What would we lose? Clay works for a small publishing house and is struggling through life. Recently divorced, a frustrated author, he lives a meaningless existence...until he meets Lucian. Clay's entire life changes with these few words: "I'm going to tell you my story, and you're going to write it down and publish it." And so the journey begins... We learn what it must have been like for the ones cast out of Heaven to watch as God created the world. How it must have felt to observe Him stooping down, scooping up a handful of dirt, and molding it into His finest creation...then breathing the life into it from His own mouth. This is the story of our salvation from evil's perspective, and it is chilling, eye-opening, and a little mind-blowing. Tosca Lee has taken on a huge task of redefining what it means to believe in God and in Christ, all without demeaning it or warping the truth. And she does a masterful job. We have more to look forward to from Tosca as she currently works on her next novel, "Havah: The Story of Eve"...and I'm sure it too will be mind-bending fiction. If you don't mind having your faith challenged...if you can handle suspending disbelief in a tremendous way...if you've ever wondered how satan and his minions view us...this is the book for you. "Demon: A Memoir" gets 6 out of 5 bookmarks from me...with a Bible charm...can't hurt to have Scripture handy when talking to a demon!! Happy Reading! Deena

Reviewed by Camy Tang (San Jose, CA), August 28, 2008

This is one of the best books I've read yet this year. Seriously. I knew it would be good because I've heard tons of people say it was terrific, and I wasn't disappointed. This is a clever, innovative, mind-boggling novel that gave me an entirely new perspective of demons, of grace, and of God's divinity. It's a fascinating picture of redemption and the gospel like none other I've read before. As far as I can tell, it's biblically accurate, but the author delves deeper into the passages in Genesis (and also others in the Old Testament) to create a vibrant, emotional picture of God Almighty. I don't often recommend books to my husband, because he is not a reader. However, I have recommended this book to him, because it's not just a story, it's a dramatically different way to view God's power and sovereignty in a way I'd never thought of before.

Reviewed by carolyn theys (Las Vegas NV), May 21, 2008

I loved this book, and have definitely thought it would be a good eye opener for non-Christians. I'll probably read it again! Phenomenal!

Reviewed by Susan Sleeman (www.thesuspensezone.com), December 03, 2007

In Demon A Memoir, book editor Clay comes face to face with a fallen angel named Lucian. Lucian wanting to tell his story, chooses Clay who is hungry to write a best selling novel and sets upon him like the plague. Clay literally lives to hear Lucian tell his story of the angels fall from grace and the motivation behind demons in our world today—lives to get Lucian’s story on paper and in print, bringing fame and fortune to himself. Clay loses focus, forgets about his job, his life and finds himself adrift and failing in the game of life. Soon, Lucian’s story becomes Clay’s story, the very ending holding the potential to affect Clay’s eternal life. Demon is one Christian novel that has generated many reviews touting the book. Terms like unique, a work of art, stunning, original, and mind-twisting are bandied about. Though Tosca Lee must appreciate and enjoy these reviews, not having read Demon myself, I imagined how this praise might work against her. Before I even opened the cover of Demon, the book had so much to live up to that I didn’t think it could possibly climb even half the length of the ladder of praise. So with an open mind, I started Demon. I hadn’t finished the first chapter before I admired the strong prose—Lee’s wonderful way with words. As a writer, I appreciated the quality of her writing, her unique turn of a phrase. The story was unique not one to be found on the shelves in current Christian fiction. But did the book live up to its press? Yes, I have to say it lived up to and in one aspect even surpassed the reviews I’ve read. It wasn’t the superb writing, the pacing, or even the creativity that made Demon a winner for me, but it was the contemplative message that set my mind in motion and even months later continues to wrestle with the spiritual truths portrayed through this work of fiction. So if you want to read a well crafted novel that leaves you no option but to ponder the meaning of life, this is the novel for you.

Reviewed by A.K. Arenz (Kansas City, MO), December 02, 2007

Once you read this book, a stranger just happening to know your name will never seem so innocent! Interview with a Vampire was never as enthralling and captivating. Tocsa Lee has you wondering if this is really fiction or a personal experience!

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Author: Tosca Lee
Located in: USA
Submitted: March 03, 2007

    Tell us a little about yourself.  Tosca Lee received her BA in English and International Relations from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She has also studied at Oxford University. As a Leadership Consultant, Tosca regularly works with managers and leaders of organizations throughout the Pan-Pacific region, Europe, and the U.S. Tosca is a former Mrs. Nebraska-America 1996, Mrs. Nebraska-United States 1998 and first runner- up to Mrs. United States and has been lauded nationally for her efforts to fight breast cancer. In her spare time, Tosca enjoys cooking, studying history and theology, and traveling. She currently resides in Nebraska with her Shar Pei, Attila.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  One day, as I drove the stretch of Nebraska road that leads to my acreage, I found myself wondering what it would be like to be angelic and fallen. Would I go around tempting people to lust, steal, envy, covet... just for kicks? It seemed too shallow a motivation for any complex, spiritual creature. There had to be more to it. Suddenly, I realized that being angelic and fallen was very similar to being human and fallen— except for one major difference: the provision of a messiah. I immediately wondered what it must feel like to be unquestionably damned—and worse, to watch humans luxuriate in and even take for granted the grace made available to them from a doting God. And I thought: why wouldn't an angelic creation resent a human recipient of God's grace? And why wouldn’t a demon want to prove that creature unworthy again and again as a result? Now I knew what it must feel like to be an angelic outsider looking in with jealous eyes and razored heart. I re-read the story of God’s love affair with humans through this new lens and Demon: A Memoir was born.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  www.demonamemoir.com

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