Marvin's Reviews > Pandemonium

Despite the title, this is science fiction not horror. More precisely it is alternative history, The setting is our world but with significant changes. Eisenhower was killed, The American armed forces are stuck in Kashmir and, most important, around 1944 there is a rash of demonic possessions that continues into the present. The actual reason for these demons are unknown but they are called by names like The Captain, The Painter, and The little Angel. From this premise arises a intriguing take on the demon possession idea. The author is clearly influenced by many of the classic science fiction icons including Phillip K. Dick (who has a cameo in the novel as himself possessed by Valic) and A. E. Van Vogt. In fact, an elementary knowledge of The Golden Age of Science Fiction will enhance your enjoyment of this work but is not essential. Daryl Gregory's debut effort has resulted in an amazing piece of story telling and a thoroughly enjoyable mash-up of demonology, science fiction, Jungian psychology, and even a very strange coming-of-age allegory.