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After Such Knowledge #2-3
The Devil's Day
A cloistered monk desperately tries to close the Pandora's box opened by a mischievous weapons dealer who has recruited a powerful black magician to stir up trouble for humanity on the eve of Judgement Day
312 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
8 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
James Blish
441 books315 followersJames Benjamin Blish was an American author of fantasy and science fiction. Blish also wrote literary criticism of science fiction using the pen-name William Atheling Jr.
In the late 1930's to the early 1940's, Blish was a member of the Futurians.
Blish trained as a biologist at Rutgers and Columbia University, and spent 1942–1944 as a medical technician in the U.S. Army. After the war he became the science editor for the Pfizer pharmaceutical company. His first published story appeared in 1940, and his writing career progressed until he gave up his job to become a professional writer.
He is credited with coining the term gas giant, in the story "Solar Plexus" as it appeared in the anthology Beyond Human Ken, edited by Judith Merril. (The story was originally published in 1941, but that version did not contain the term; Blish apparently added it in a rewrite done for the anthology, which was first published in 1952.)
Blish was married to the literary agent Virginia Kidd from 1947 to 1963.
From 1962 to 1968, he worked for the Tobacco Institute.
Between 1967 and his death from lung cancer in 1975, Blish became the first author to write short story collections based upon the classic TV series Star Trek. In total, Blish wrote 11 volumes of short stories adapted from episodes of the 1960s TV series, as well as an original novel, Spock Must Die! in 1970 — the first original novel for adult readers based upon the series (since then hundreds more have been published). He died midway through writing Star Trek 12; his wife, J.A. Lawrence, completed the book, and later completed the adaptations in the volume Mudd's Angels.
Blish lived in Milford, Pennsylvania at Arrowhead until the mid-1960s. In 1968, Blish emigrated to England, and lived in Oxford until his death in 1975. He is buried in Holywell Cemetery, Oxford, near the grave of Kenneth Grahame.
His name in Greek is Τζέημς Μπλις"
In the late 1930's to the early 1940's, Blish was a member of the Futurians.
Blish trained as a biologist at Rutgers and Columbia University, and spent 1942–1944 as a medical technician in the U.S. Army. After the war he became the science editor for the Pfizer pharmaceutical company. His first published story appeared in 1940, and his writing career progressed until he gave up his job to become a professional writer.
He is credited with coining the term gas giant, in the story "Solar Plexus" as it appeared in the anthology Beyond Human Ken, edited by Judith Merril. (The story was originally published in 1941, but that version did not contain the term; Blish apparently added it in a rewrite done for the anthology, which was first published in 1952.)
Blish was married to the literary agent Virginia Kidd from 1947 to 1963.
From 1962 to 1968, he worked for the Tobacco Institute.
Between 1967 and his death from lung cancer in 1975, Blish became the first author to write short story collections based upon the classic TV series Star Trek. In total, Blish wrote 11 volumes of short stories adapted from episodes of the 1960s TV series, as well as an original novel, Spock Must Die! in 1970 — the first original novel for adult readers based upon the series (since then hundreds more have been published). He died midway through writing Star Trek 12; his wife, J.A. Lawrence, completed the book, and later completed the adaptations in the volume Mudd's Angels.
Blish lived in Milford, Pennsylvania at Arrowhead until the mid-1960s. In 1968, Blish emigrated to England, and lived in Oxford until his death in 1975. He is buried in Holywell Cemetery, Oxford, near the grave of Kenneth Grahame.
His name in Greek is Τζέημς Μπλις"
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 9, 2010
6.0 stars. On my list of "All Time Favorite" novels. This omnibus is made up of Black Easter and The Day After Judgement (both of which earned 6.0 stars from me on there own). Together they make an incredibly entertaining and thought-provoking story of angels vs demons, God vs Satan vs Man and the true nature of good and evil. I absolutely loved this book. James Blish is highly under-rated. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!
Nominee: Nebula Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1969) (Black Easter)
Nominee: Nebula Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1969) (Black Easter)
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July 30, 2019First combined edition. Frontispiece photo of author by Jay Kay Klein. New introduction by David G. Hartwell.
May 19, 2023
The Devil's Day (Black Easter & The Day After Judgment) review by M C McPhail
Few things that I've read truly did feel like I was experiencing the unreal, the magical, the demonic. These are my favorite moments while reading anything. When I'm fully immersed and not even cognizant of the fact I'm holding a book. Black Easter, the first half of two James Blish novels collected here as The Devil's Day, doesn't waste any time putting you into the life of a Goetic magic practitioner. Theron Ware is a sorceror for hire. He knows all there is to know about summoning demons for various tasks. He's hired by Dr Baines, an military arms dealer, to invoke all of the demons in hell for one night to freely roam the earth. It's a tall order, and will most likely have horrible consequences but Ware doesn't say no to a challenge. The second of the two novels, The Day After Judgment, is concerned with happens after Ware completes the ritual. Without completely spoiling the plot, these novels go to some really dark places. I think I was a bit in shock while reading this. Surprised by how fascinated I was with Blish's set pieces and how expertly he puts you into each scene. You go to some horrible and messed up places, experience insanely terrifying events but the entire time it feels very matter of fact and clearly described.
I really enjoyed this. My first time reading Blish. He really did his homework for these stories and it shows. Some of it felt a bit illogical but I always just assumed it had to do with the rules of this world that he created. It also felt a bit clunky with its scene changes. They could have flowed a bit better but each segment is mesmerizing so it doesn't effect the story badly. A great, dark, freaky book about black magic and the end of the world. Be warned.
A side note, the story felt akin to Moonchild by Aliester Crowley. Like a more literal version of that book. Less abstract than Crowley's writing. But similar in subject matter. They feel like spiritual siblings.
4.5/5
Few things that I've read truly did feel like I was experiencing the unreal, the magical, the demonic. These are my favorite moments while reading anything. When I'm fully immersed and not even cognizant of the fact I'm holding a book. Black Easter, the first half of two James Blish novels collected here as The Devil's Day, doesn't waste any time putting you into the life of a Goetic magic practitioner. Theron Ware is a sorceror for hire. He knows all there is to know about summoning demons for various tasks. He's hired by Dr Baines, an military arms dealer, to invoke all of the demons in hell for one night to freely roam the earth. It's a tall order, and will most likely have horrible consequences but Ware doesn't say no to a challenge. The second of the two novels, The Day After Judgment, is concerned with happens after Ware completes the ritual. Without completely spoiling the plot, these novels go to some really dark places. I think I was a bit in shock while reading this. Surprised by how fascinated I was with Blish's set pieces and how expertly he puts you into each scene. You go to some horrible and messed up places, experience insanely terrifying events but the entire time it feels very matter of fact and clearly described.
I really enjoyed this. My first time reading Blish. He really did his homework for these stories and it shows. Some of it felt a bit illogical but I always just assumed it had to do with the rules of this world that he created. It also felt a bit clunky with its scene changes. They could have flowed a bit better but each segment is mesmerizing so it doesn't effect the story badly. A great, dark, freaky book about black magic and the end of the world. Be warned.
A side note, the story felt akin to Moonchild by Aliester Crowley. Like a more literal version of that book. Less abstract than Crowley's writing. But similar in subject matter. They feel like spiritual siblings.
4.5/5
May 26, 2020
Black Easter/The Day After Judgement Two novellas that amount to one book in two parts, with several characters crossing over though the style is lightened and made more satirical in The Day After Judgement. General light spoilers.
Blish, best known for his classic Star Trek novelizations, here plays Hell with Dante and explores what would happen if the Catholic Church really understood Black Magic and made it work as a science. Blish therefore creates a rarity, a book that makes the fantasy genre work as science fiction.
Essentially, with the secularized World plunging towards nuclear war, a crazed church official plans on raising demons from Hell to make sure everyone knows what awaits us if we don't regain our faith. The Church, willing to sacrifice its soul just by dabbling in Satanism at all, hopes it can then command the demons to go away again but the legions of Hell have their own agenda which even the word of God that usually stops them, might not work this time. Cue demons with a nuclear arsenal and sites on the Vatican.
The Day After Judgement finds survivors of the first book events discovering Dante's City Of Dis has literally turned up in Death Valley complete with demons who unsportingly won't go away even when attacked with nuclear bombs. The demons seem rather slow to wipe out the last of humanity so the cast of book one travel to Dis to find out why, and boy, are they in for a shock. It all gets very Dr Strangeglove.
I particularly like the US general who insists it is all a Communist conspiracy even after seeing the demon hordes of Dis.
Arthur Chappell
Blish, best known for his classic Star Trek novelizations, here plays Hell with Dante and explores what would happen if the Catholic Church really understood Black Magic and made it work as a science. Blish therefore creates a rarity, a book that makes the fantasy genre work as science fiction.
Essentially, with the secularized World plunging towards nuclear war, a crazed church official plans on raising demons from Hell to make sure everyone knows what awaits us if we don't regain our faith. The Church, willing to sacrifice its soul just by dabbling in Satanism at all, hopes it can then command the demons to go away again but the legions of Hell have their own agenda which even the word of God that usually stops them, might not work this time. Cue demons with a nuclear arsenal and sites on the Vatican.
The Day After Judgement finds survivors of the first book events discovering Dante's City Of Dis has literally turned up in Death Valley complete with demons who unsportingly won't go away even when attacked with nuclear bombs. The demons seem rather slow to wipe out the last of humanity so the cast of book one travel to Dis to find out why, and boy, are they in for a shock. It all gets very Dr Strangeglove.
I particularly like the US general who insists it is all a Communist conspiracy even after seeing the demon hordes of Dis.
Arthur Chappell
April 21, 2010
This is an omnibus book of the novella Black Easter and its sequel The Day After Judgement. What Stoker's Dracula and King's Salem's Lot is to vampires, The Devil's Day is to demons. Blish said in his Author's Note to Black Easter that every one of the "novels, poems and plays about magic and witchcraft" he's read treat it as "romantic or playful." He sought to write a treatment that "neither romanticizes magic nor treats it as a game." Black Easter is dedicated to C.S. Lewis and even included an extensive quotation from his Screwtape Letters heading one of the chapters.
So although I'm not sure I'd classify these novellas as out and out Christian fiction, this does come out of that world view and takes the demonic seriously--that's what does make it unusual and at times fascinating. It's obvious not just from his note but the vividness of his details and even the quotes heading chapters Blish did extensive research--actually reading grimoires and manuscripts on ceremonial magic. At the same time Blish is best known as a science fiction writer, and approaches magic with almost scientific rigor. The first book reads as Christian allegory of scientific hubris, the second as Cold War parody. I found that dated the second book and made it less interesting, although it did have moments of (very black) comedy. And maybe a believing Christian would have found the ending powerful and moving, as the ending of the first book was intended to be shocking--I found it trite. Mind you, I'm keeping this book on my bookshelf--simply because I find Blish's approach to magic and exploration of the temptations of knowledge so interesting.
So although I'm not sure I'd classify these novellas as out and out Christian fiction, this does come out of that world view and takes the demonic seriously--that's what does make it unusual and at times fascinating. It's obvious not just from his note but the vividness of his details and even the quotes heading chapters Blish did extensive research--actually reading grimoires and manuscripts on ceremonial magic. At the same time Blish is best known as a science fiction writer, and approaches magic with almost scientific rigor. The first book reads as Christian allegory of scientific hubris, the second as Cold War parody. I found that dated the second book and made it less interesting, although it did have moments of (very black) comedy. And maybe a believing Christian would have found the ending powerful and moving, as the ending of the first book was intended to be shocking--I found it trite. Mind you, I'm keeping this book on my bookshelf--simply because I find Blish's approach to magic and exploration of the temptations of knowledge so interesting.
December 21, 2020
This was an interesting read! An older novel composed of two different stories with the same main characters taking place one after the other.
It was a very unique view of God vs Satan. Blish actually did a lot of research into this. He referenced real books of magic and magical rituals that members of the occult actually use. He went as far as stating that the rituals he included were not complete. Is this a warning or a bit of showmanship to sell more books, who knows.
One thing for sure though, this was an eye opening, entertaining read!
It was a very unique view of God vs Satan. Blish actually did a lot of research into this. He referenced real books of magic and magical rituals that members of the occult actually use. He went as far as stating that the rituals he included were not complete. Is this a warning or a bit of showmanship to sell more books, who knows.
One thing for sure though, this was an eye opening, entertaining read!
July 27, 2013
I really enjoyed the first section of this book, the novel "Black Easter." It has a tight focus on issues of faith, good and evil, and the procedural details of demonology. But the second section, the novel "The Day After Judgement," goes off the rails a bit as it satirizes the military-industrial complex. But the second section is still a fast, entertaining read. The first section is a slow, entertaining read, filled with historical asides and a plethora of demons with unpronounceable names.
Also, for some odd reason, there are no female characters to speak of in either novel. I'm not sure if there's even one that has any dialog. There's one that appears to be female who does have a supporting role, but being a demon, it's actually neither male nor female, or perhaps it's both. Hard to say. I guess since the main characters are all drawn from the Catholic Church and the 1960s-70s military-industrial complex (and Hell, if you include all the demons), that does limit the available pool of female characters.
Also, for some odd reason, there are no female characters to speak of in either novel. I'm not sure if there's even one that has any dialog. There's one that appears to be female who does have a supporting role, but being a demon, it's actually neither male nor female, or perhaps it's both. Hard to say. I guess since the main characters are all drawn from the Catholic Church and the 1960s-70s military-industrial complex (and Hell, if you include all the demons), that does limit the available pool of female characters.
June 21, 2016
4-4.5.
In this compilation of two novellas by sci-fi giant James Blish, the ramifications of black magic are explored with an intriguing mix of mysticism and scientific study. At first what would seem to be an uneasy mix turns out to be a refreshing and interesting interpretation of the various rituals and spells discussed in the grimoires and religious texts scattered throughout history. Blish clearly did a ton of research, and ably guides the book from scientific realism to phantasmagoric fantasy with aplomb and imagination, sketching impressionistic but vivid images of demons and magic and rituals and other such hellish things. Ultimately, the whole thing is an exploration of the philosophical question of the Problem of Evil and the existence of God, which culminates in an ironic and darkly comic twist that ends these two great novellas with a bang. Highly recommended.
In this compilation of two novellas by sci-fi giant James Blish, the ramifications of black magic are explored with an intriguing mix of mysticism and scientific study. At first what would seem to be an uneasy mix turns out to be a refreshing and interesting interpretation of the various rituals and spells discussed in the grimoires and religious texts scattered throughout history. Blish clearly did a ton of research, and ably guides the book from scientific realism to phantasmagoric fantasy with aplomb and imagination, sketching impressionistic but vivid images of demons and magic and rituals and other such hellish things. Ultimately, the whole thing is an exploration of the philosophical question of the Problem of Evil and the existence of God, which culminates in an ironic and darkly comic twist that ends these two great novellas with a bang. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2017
This book is actually two books. Neither is for the squeamish or the easily offended. "The Day After Judgement" contains some mild racial slurs toward Asians. And the underlying story is both blasphemous and sacrilegious. However, It's a well-written story, with a clear plot and well-developed characters. Expect to be alternately intrigued, amused (in a misanthropic way,) and finally left in an existential haze--wondering what happened and left to figure out the meaning for yourself.
October 24, 2018
Literally all Hell breaks loose.
An interesting take on apocalyptic literature. For my money, Blish overdoes the descriptions of black magic preparations, paraphernalia, and rituals , though evidently his intent was, in part, to show how magic was "really" supposed to have been done.
Tries to be simultaneously occult thriller, satire, and novel of (theological) ideas. Succeeds pretty well on the first and last, but the satire seems strained.
An interesting take on apocalyptic literature. For my money, Blish overdoes the descriptions of black magic preparations, paraphernalia, and rituals , though evidently his intent was, in part, to show how magic was "really" supposed to have been done.
Tries to be simultaneously occult thriller, satire, and novel of (theological) ideas. Succeeds pretty well on the first and last, but the satire seems strained.
October 14, 2015
Extremely well-written but ultimately befuddling.
May 1, 2023
I think I'm uncomfortable with a book that calls on demons by name, whether they are "real demons" or not. The book posits a world with "white" magic and "black" magic, and a too-believable arms merchant without a sense of empathy who opens Pandora's Box: let's let a bunch of demons out to do what they will for one night only, and see what happens. The immediate results are rather horrifyingly predictable; the ending of the book abrupt and unexpected. My discomfort keeps me from thinking about the ending to see if it is also thought-provoking -- I don't want to know. Characters a little two-dimensional, but it's a short book.
July 24, 2022
I really enjoyed this book (which is two sequential novellas in one volume). The author researched the real magic traditions & grimoires of Medieval & Renaissance Europe (real traditions, not real magic), and included lots of that detail in the book. Consequently, the text has a strong ring of authenticity. I got a frisson of latent post-Christian fear when reading the invocations of the various princes of Hell, angels, and the many names of God.
Come to think of it, reading this book felt like seeing The Exorcist for the first time.
Come to think of it, reading this book felt like seeing The Exorcist for the first time.
June 8, 2022
As I try and follow Christ, I'm always fascinated to read secular novels that seem to contain Judeo-Christian themes to see if they get anything right. Unfortunately, few do. Those that do are usually labelled as Christian Fiction already. This one was interesting but not very accurate and, while I almost gave it 3, the ending cemented the 2 star rating.
July 23, 2022
Easily the weakest of the After Such Knowledge series, this reads like a spoof of C.S. Lewis and Dennis Wheatley and leans into some of the more irritating habits of both. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/200...
March 1, 2023
There was a 3 month break between reading most of this book and reading the last 35 pages, I honestly don't remember much of it but I liked the first half (book) better, the suspense is really good
3.5 stars rounded down
3.5 stars rounded down
August 19, 2017
This is actually my favorite depiction of how magic might work in the real world.
April 7, 2019
Three and a half stars. Black Easter was four, The Day After Judgment was three.
March 7, 2016
A detailed and thought-provoking account of what would happen if an arms manufacturer were to go to a black magician to see what would happen if demons were to be released into the world for one night and its aftermath.
This version I read was a combination of Black Easter/The Day After Judgement and Mr. Blish's style of writing and craftmanship can be noticed all throughout. I was first introduced the Mr. Blish with his story, More Light, and I was extremely impressed then. Highly recommended.
This version I read was a combination of Black Easter/The Day After Judgement and Mr. Blish's style of writing and craftmanship can be noticed all throughout. I was first introduced the Mr. Blish with his story, More Light, and I was extremely impressed then. Highly recommended.
August 21, 2013
The Devil's Day by James Blish is about the practice of black magic. I love the Black Easter wherein summoning of a great horde of demons on the Earth and The Day After Judgement which tells of what happens after they arrive.
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August 29, 2008literally awesome.
April 12, 2014
Two novellas with interesting ideas, and a great ending in the style of Milton.
July 13, 2010
um...wut. That's all that can be said about it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews