by R. M. Koster
First published 1992
Carmichael has achieved worldwide fame as the author of a science fiction tetralogy, but his success comes at a terrible price. A legion of demons has taken possession of him, tormenting his mind and body while simultaneously driving him to extraordinary creative heights. The supernatural forces inhabiting Carmichael refuse to release their grip on his soul, feeding off his artistic genius while pushing him beyond human endurance. As the demonic presence grows stronger, a cosmic battle erupts around the suffering writer. Forces of good mobilize to rescue Carmichael from his tormentors, launching an epic struggle that echoes ancient conflicts between light and darkness. The war for one man's soul becomes a comedy of divine and infernal proportions, with Carmichael caught in the middle. Through his ordeal, the nature of artistic inspiration itself comes under scrutiny, revealing the mysterious relationship between creativity and suffering.
Genres: literary-fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural
Vibes: dark, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: cosmic-battle, supernatural-elements
311 pages · Hardcover · W W Norton & Co Inc
Content warnings: mental-illness