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Azazel
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Azazel (1988) (edit title/settings)

Fantasy Stories

by Isaac Asimov (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

A miniature demon's power to grant wishes forms the recurring theme for 18 cautionary, satirical tales by sf veteran Asimov.

Summary edit see section history

The introduction of this book describes how Isaac came to create Azazel, with an explanation about how the stories and book came to be published.

The Two-Centimeter Demon - Written to introduce this collection, this story describes how the writer and George first met, and supplies... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The introduction of this book describes how Isaac came to create Azazel, with an explanation about how the stories and book came to be published.

The Two-Centimeter Demon - Written to introduce this collection, this story describes how the writer and George first met, and supplies information about Azazel. The tale is of George's goddaughter, in love with a mediocre basketball player. Azazel is asked to improve his game.

One Night of Song - A man asks revenge on mistress who cruelly dumped him - by giving her one night performing with a perfect voice.

The Smile That Loses - A woman asks George to capture her husband's radiantly happy smile in a photograph.

To the Victor - A young man is unsuccessful with women, so Azazel boosts his pheromones.

The Dim Rumble - A speleologist informs George that he has discovered a sound amplifier underground which, when disturbed, caused rumbles all over the world.

Saving Humanity - A man wishes to be cured of being a jinx - but also wants, as compensation, to be able to save humanity.

A Matter of Principle - An advertising man wants to write novels, but is unable to get past the first paragraph. George hopes to enrich himself with a share of the man's profit as a novelist.

The Evil Drink Does - A beautiful but forceful girl wants to get close to a man but can't overcome her inhibitions, and is immune to alcohol.

Writing Time - An author is exasperated by the amount of time he must spend waiting everywhere he goes.

Dashing Through the Snow - In order to stay at a friend's country retreat during the winter, George arranges for him to be able to walk on snow.

Logic Is Logic - An idle rich man loves his snobbish club but makes no friends there, so Azazel gives him the ability to tell jokes.

He Travels the Fastest - George's former lover marries a rich man, but he is miserly and will not take her abroad. Azazel gives him the urge to travel.

The Eye of the Beholder - Two homely people fall in love and marry each other, but then the girl wishes she could be beautiful for him.

More Things in Heaven and Earth - An economist wants to accept a new position, but each person in the post has survived a shorter time period.

The Mind's Construction - A young detective believes any story a suspect tells him.

The Fights of Spring - An old friend's son at college is actually studying instead of the usual youthful pursuits. George arranges for the 97-pound weakling to beat the college bully.

Galatea - A young sculptress is in love with a male statue she has created.

Flight of Fancy - A skeptic argues with believers about the Bible, but what he really wants is to fly like an angel.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Azazel: Azazel is a character created by Isaac Asimov and featured in a series of fantasy short stories. Azazel is a two-centimeter-tall demon (or extraterrestrial), named after the Biblical demon. (Source Wikipedia)
  • George: "Shiftless" Friend of the writer with whom the stories are told in a series of conversation.
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First Sentence edit see section history

I met George at at literary convention a good many years ago, and was struck by the peculiar look of innocence and candor upon his round middle-aged face.

Table of Contents edit see section history

One Night of Song
To the Victor
The Dim Rumble
The Smile that Loses
Saving Humanity
A Matter of Principle
The Evil Drink Does
Writing Time
Dashing Through the Snow
Logic is Logic
He Travels the Fastest
The Eye of the Beholder
More Things in Heaven and Earth
The Mind's Construction
The Fights of Spring
Galatea
Flight of Fancy
The Two-Centimeter Demon

Errata edit see section history

While this book is a collection of stories of the Demon Azazel, it is not the complete set of Azazel stories by Asimov. This book does not include: Getting Even, I Love Little Pussy, The Mad Scientist, To Your Health, Wine Is a Mocker, The Time Traveler, Baby - It's Cold Outside, It's a Job, The Critic on the Hearth, March Against the Foe, and Perfectly Formal.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Isaac Asimov (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Doubleday
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1988
ISBN: 038524410X
Page Count: 221

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PS3551.S5 A9 1988
  • Dewey: 813.54

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

  • Wikipedia: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Books with Additional Background Information edit see section history

   
  • Tales from the Spaceport Bar

Books That Influenced This Book edit see section history

   
  • Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures

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