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jayrothermel's review against another edition
5.0
The finest story about demonology that I have read.
Full review
http://jayrothermel.blogspot.com/2021/08/black-easter-by-james-blish-1968.html?m=1
Full review
http://jayrothermel.blogspot.com/2021/08/black-easter-by-james-blish-1968.html?m=1
deimosremus's review against another edition
4.0
Black Easter is a book I haven't known about for too long-- I was introduced to it here on goodreads, probably appearing on some obscure list somewhere. The basic premise; "an arms dealer consults a black magician to summon all the demons in Hell on earth for a day" instantly made me want to seek it out.
Stylistically, Black Easter is pretty dry. It's precise and has an almost 'medical' amount of detail when it comes to describing the occult rituals that take place within the book-- this is perhaps the most interesting thing about it. It may not be the most lyrical or exciting in its writing approach, but the amount of research that went into it (especially in 1968, before the advent of easily finding information on the internet) is undeniably impressive and adds a lot of authenticity to the narrative, which makes it feel fairly believable, given the context. It has memorable characters in Ware, Baines, and Father Domenico, and a gutsy ending that, given the preceding detailed buildup, manages to pack a punch.
Stylistically, Black Easter is pretty dry. It's precise and has an almost 'medical' amount of detail when it comes to describing the occult rituals that take place within the book-- this is perhaps the most interesting thing about it. It may not be the most lyrical or exciting in its writing approach, but the amount of research that went into it (especially in 1968, before the advent of easily finding information on the internet) is undeniably impressive and adds a lot of authenticity to the narrative, which makes it feel fairly believable, given the context. It has memorable characters in Ware, Baines, and Father Domenico, and a gutsy ending that, given the preceding detailed buildup, manages to pack a punch.
statelyelmslibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
A book filled with black magic conjuring and demon mania.
The last 20 pages is wild.
The last 20 pages is wild.
mw2k's review against another edition
4.0
A short and amusing romp, this was. I don't know if the author meant to amuse anyone, as it's written with a decided seriousness. It's certainly well researched, using historical sources to comprise the demon-summoning and black magic. And, I get the idea the author wished what went down in his story actually would happen.
Not yet, mate, not yet. Give it time.
Not yet, mate, not yet. Give it time.
shieymn's review against another edition
4.0
Prima lettura scelta tra quelle citate in Tra le ceneri di questo pianeta. Parla di un'evocazione demoniaca, con la descrizione passo per passo del rito, trattato come una questione tecnica. Interessante e pittoresco. Mi ha colpita anche il fatto che a suo tempo l'autrice di fantascienza femminista Joanna Russ ne abbia scritto una recensione positiva.
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