Satan's Diary

Written by Leonid Andreyev

Narrated by John Burlinson

Satan's Diary

By Leonid Andreyev

Narrated by John Burlinson.

Satan's Diary, Andreyev’s last work, was completed a few days before he died in Finland in September, 1919.

In this absorbing satire Andreyev gives vent to his extreme disillusionment about the intrinsic venality of man. Having assumed the form of an American multi-millionaire, Satan sets out on a tour through Europe in quest of amusement and adventure. He observes a panopoly of subversive and hypocritical behaviours, the abhorrent cruelty of men and the deceptive innocence of women. Within a short time Prince of Hell finds himself outwitted, deceived, relieved of his millions, mocked and humiliated, beaten by man by the use of his own devilish devices.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Voices of Today
• Release date: Aug 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781953007087

Reviews for Satan's Diary

[la2bkk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed feelings about this book.On the positive, the concept of Satan visiting mankind by entering the body of a man is a good one. This basic framework allows for so many interesting possibilities and interactions. Unfortunately, the characters lack any depth- the rich billionaire, the evil protagonist, the avaricious man of religion and the beautiful girl who looks like a Madonna. Sometimes interesting, sometimes simply tedious and almost always overly wordy and dramatic.

[amzmchaichun · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

SATAN’S DIARY, Leonid Andreyev’s last work, was completed by the great Russian a few days before he died in Finland, in September, 1919. But a few years ago the most popular and successful of Russian writers, Andreyev died almost penniless, a sad, tragic figure, disillusioned, broken-hearted over the tragedy of Russia.A year ago Leonid Andreyev wrote me that he was eager to come to America, to study this country and familiarize Americans with the fate of his unfortunate countrymen. I arranged for his visit to this country and informed him of this by cable. But on the very day I sent my cable the sad news came from Finland announcing that Leonid Andreyev died of heart failure.In “Satan’s Diary” Andreyev summed up his boundless disillusionment in an absorbing satire on human life. Fearlessly and mercilessly he hurled the falsehoods and hypocrisies into the face of life. He portrayed Satan coming to this earth to amuse himself and play. Having assumed the form of an American multi-millionaire, Satan set out on a tour through Europe in quest of amusement and adventure. Before him passed various forms of spurious virtues, hypocrisies, vi the ruthless cruelty of man and the often deceptive innocence of woman. Within a short time Satan finds himself outwitted, deceived, relieved of his millions, mocked, humiliated, beaten by man in his own devilish devices.