THE DEVIL’S OWN WORK
[NOVEL]
Alan Judd’s 1991 short novel about a possessed author.
[PY, FICTIONSTREAM: “…Working effectively on three levels The Devil’s Own Work is the
story of a famous writer told from the perspective of a lifelong friend, a spooky and unexpected
tale of literary possession and at the same time a well-judged critique against vacuous artistic
pretension, a ‘dance around nothing.’ Inspired by Judd’s own encounter with Graham Greene,
one gets the feeling it was an idea that was given a long time to mature but Judd did well to keep
it short, saying everything the story needs to say with unforced patience, no extra padding and a
complete avoidance of the kind of over-indulgent penmanship he challenges. Above all it’s a
reminder not to blindly accept literary fashions that hold little water, and this brief book demands
attentive reading…”
[Amazon.com review] “This modern version of the Faust legend has an old man of letters pass
down to a young writer an ancient manuscript which bestows the gift of easy literary style and
fluency -- and consequently head-turning success -- while blocking entirely any genuine creative
power. To underline the devilishness of the bargain, the young author is seen to gradually throw
away normal human decency as he gives in to overwhelming self-indulgence, and comes under
the sensual sway of the old man's seductive mistress. On one level then, pure Faust. On another,
Alan Judd's book, winner of the 1991 Guardian Fiction Prize, is a sophisticated self-referential
commentary on the cliquish post-modern literary scene. This stylish and substantial novel is a
clever attack on those who elevate insubstantial style.
[Publishers Weekly] “British novelist Judd's short, ambivalent fable on the hazards of creativity
and fame is distinguished by a style as psychologically nuanced as that of Henry James. Moments
before he dies, O. M. Tyrrel, reclusive octogenarian doyen of English letters, bequeaths to the
protagonist, fledgling writer Edward, an ancient manuscript. This virtually illegible handwritten
document bestows endless creativity on its owner, dictating ideas and themes to Edward as it
takes possession of his soul. Achieving fame and wealth as a postmodern novelist, Edward is also
possessed by Eudoxie, Tyrell's ageless, elusive mistress, who becomes his live-in companion.
Eudoxie exerts a sinister force on him and also may be the wraithlike presence made visible to the
story's nameless narrator, an English teacher and old friend of Edward's who envies his success.
The action moves from London to the French Riviera, where Edward seduces the narrator's wife,
Chantal. Judd, a biographer of Ford Madox Ford, pays homage to that writer and his novel The
Good Soldier in this homiletic parable that supports the dictum that "truth in art matters." He
charges postmodernist fiction with betraying that principle by blurring the line between reality
and fantasy, and he tweaks the British literary establishment for its cliquishness, pretension,
inflated egos and embrace of style over substance--an accusation that apparently did not serve as
a handicap when the novel won the 1991 Guardian Fiction Prize in England.”
ORIGINATION: Radio 4, London (BBC).
DURATION: April 25-29, 1994.
PERSONNEL: Ian Holm (reader), Marion Nancarrow (producer).
[CHRONOLOGY]
A BOOK AT BEDTIME—“THE DEVIL’S OWN WORK” (RADIO 4, LONDON—BBC)
[???day—10:45-11:00 PM]
April 25, 1994 [EP. 1]
[“…Edward always seems to have been destined for success. But neither
he nor the narrator could have any idea of the price they are about to
pay…”]
April 26, 1994 [EP. 2]
[“…In Antibes, Edward’s meeting with Tyrell had a disturbing result…”]
April 27, 1994 [EP. 3]
[“…What’s controlling Edward’s work?...”]
April 28, 1994 [EP. 4]
April 29, 1994 [EP. 5]
[“…The narrator learns the final, horrifying truth about Edward’s effect
on his life…”]