Eryk
Author: Terry Pratchett
This felt shorter, almost like a fast-paced novella. It serves as a direct parody of the Faust legend. Eric, a young aspiring demonologist, tries to summon a demon to grant his wishes but ends up summoning the incompetent Rincewind instead. They are then dragged on a journey through time and space to fulfill Eric’s wishes: to be ruler of the world, to meet the most beautiful woman who ever lived, and to live forever.
It was a quick read, but the depiction of Hell was the highlight. It wasn’t a place of fire and brimstone, but of boredom and bureaucracy, which is arguably worse.
The most memorable moments include Eric expecting a terrifying demon lord and instead getting Rincewind, who is naturally terrified of everything. They accidentally end up inside the Trojan Horse, but nobody knows what to do because history hasn’t been written yet. Meanwhile, the Demon King Astfgl tries to modernize Hell with policy manuals and “positive reinforcement” tortures, which the other demons hate even more than the old ways.
The primary theme is “Be Careful What You Wish For”. Every wish Eric makes is granted in the most literal, ironic, and unpleasant way possible, highlighting the gap between our desires and reality. It also explores the banality of evil, suggesting that true hell is not physical pain, but endless, pointless administrative tasks. Was funny to see hell as any other coroporation 😄
This was the last one I’ve read from Pratchett’s Discworld series. I’ll probably read more from him in the future, but for now, I needed something else.