Azazel

From Library Journal A miniature demon's power to grant wishes forms the recurring theme for 18 cautionary, satirical tales by sf veteran Asimov. Previously published only in magazines, the adventures of Azazel and his summoner, George Bitternut, will attract readers who enjoy flights of fantasy and logic couched as tall tales. For large sf/fantasy collections. JC Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. Meet Azazel... He's two centimeters tall. He's fiery red. He has magical powers strong enough to wreck a normal human's life...all with the best intentions, of course. George Bitternut, an eccentric linguist and deadbeat, stumbles onto an ancient incantation that calls forth this diminutive demon of astonishing wizardry. Unfortunately, Azazel refuses to do anything for George's personal gain—but he agrees to help out a few of his friends. With Dr. Asimov himself as eager audience, George recounts eighteen episodes of life with Azazel—disastrous, hilarious episodes that could only spring from the science fiction's most fertile imagination. Contents: * The Two-Centimeter Demon * One Night of Song * The Smile that Loses * To the Victor * The Dim Rumble * Saving Humanity * A Matter of Principle * The Evil Drink Does * Writing Time * Dashing Through the Snow * Logic Is Logic * He Travels the Fastest * The Eye of the Beholder * More Things in Heaven and Earth * The Mind's Construction * The Fights of Spring * Galatea * Flight of Fancy Azazel, an enchanting, other-wordly imp, uses his magical powers to help humans beset by ill fortune, but his efforts frequently have unexpected results, in this collection of fantasy tales A collection of eighteen short stories about the adventures of Azazel, a twocentimeter-tall, fiery red imp with an impetuous personality and magical powers.