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THE DEVIL AND THE DOCTOR by David Keller

THE DEVIL AND THE DOCTOR

By

Pub Date: Sept. 24th, 1940
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Philosophical whimsy, a gentle, benign variation on the Faust-Mephisto theme, which frankly left me apathetic. The central character is a retired doctor, living in a small bookshop in Stroudsburg, and leading a contemplative life revolving around his two main interests, Demonology and the prospective building of a stone wall. The devil appears in the guise of Robin Goodfellow, and tells how he is the victim of his brothers jealousy, misunderstood and maltreated. He helps Hubler to achieve his desires -- and the community turns against him, as in league with the devil. Goodfellow retires from the picture, to save his friend -- and the wall is completed. One has to dig deep for the meaning of this -- if there is one it is elusive. Some may find charm and quiet satire; but most will find it simply boring.