An Old Favorite: I, Lucifer

An Old Favorite is a meme here on eclectic / eccentric in which I feature some of my favorite reads from pre-blogging or early blogging days. I want to do this, not just to highlight some awesome books but also to explore how my memory stands up to the original review. One of my complaints regarding my reading is the serious lack of retention. Sometimes I read books, and within days, I have forgotten entire pieces of the literary puzzle. If you are interested in participating, feel free to leave a link to your post in the comments section. 


Some books stick with you for their impressive writing or intriguing insights; others because of truly memorable characters or events; and some because they are just so wonderfully raunchy or naughty. The latter is true in this case. Given to me as a gift by one of my favorite people ever, I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan inspired me to write the following post almost three years ago:

"I, Lucifer, Fallen Angel, Prince Of Darkness, Bringer of Light, Ruler of Hell, Lord of the Flies, Father of Lies, Apostate Supreme, Tempter of Mankind, Old Serpent, Prince of This World, Seducer, Accuser, Tormentor, Blasphemer, and without a doubt Best Fuck in the Seen and Unseen Universe (ask Eve, that minx) have decided - oo la la! - to tell all."

So reads the first paragraph of what I have now deemed Brandon's-got-great-taste-birthday-present-extraordinaire. This psychological portrayal of one of history's most hated figures made me think about free will and what I would suffer in order to maintain it. When God offers Lucifer the opportunity to "redeem" himself by living as a human for one month, Lucifer smirks, says yes, and proceeds to enjoy his one month vacation. Through his actions and his thoughts while being Declan Gun, Lucifer reveals a story not of good versus evil but of an indomitable will versus an indomitable will.

Two things are going on in this story: one, Lucifer is living (a version of) Declan Gun's life, finally experiencing a world with sensory perception; two, Lucifer is writing a story about what really happened in heaven. The second was more interesting to me, being theological and all; and yet the first reminded me of the beauty of being alive. Luce gets drunk on sight and sound, smell, taste, and touch through walks in the rain, cocaine, sex, food, alcohol: everything is up for grabs. The beauty of his thoughts as he relishes even the smells of the dirtiest places made me almost feel guilty for ignoring, or rather taking for granted, my ability to sense the world around me.

The real pull for me, however, was the theology expressed in the book. I haven't even begun to wrap my mind around all of the variant, tantalizing ideas running rampant. Apparently, Lucifer had a good reason for getting upset with God; he was sick of the "undiluted adulation" God expected from the angels. Lucifer just wanted to control his own life; he wanted choice. Good for him. A life of perpetual kiss-assery sounds pretty damn bleak to me.

I could go on, but I need more time to process. A great, great birthday gift. Thanks Brandon!

Buy  |  Borrow  |  Accept  |  Avoid
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All these years later, I can still feel the naughtiness even if I can't remember the specifics. It's one of those books which I remember fondly in a sort of sexitellectual way (er..sexy intellectual). I will definitely keep this one on the shelves and re-read it.