Devil Jazz

SarahRaeleft a comment

“Devil Jazz” begins with the depiction of a young man awaking to find himself floating in a boat with no recollection of his life before that moment, stumbling towards the Doomsday Diner bathroom where the local fishermen say he will find his face etched on the wall, with a mysterious voice in his head warning him that the world will end in seven days. Almost instantly he finds that not only may he be the messiah, but he also has disciples, and although slightly uncomfortable with the idea, he decides to go by “J.C.” Could this indeed be the Apocalypse, Jesus Christ’s final arrival, the ascension of the blessed and the damnation of the wicked? Craig Forgrave certainly makes us wonder, especially as global devastation ensues and Satan makes his appearance as the benevolent alien, Armageddon. Satan also sends his demonic charges to do his work; Marilyn Monroe, Vincent van Gogh, and Adolf Hitler all set out to corrupt the innocent, the dreamers, and the youth. While J.C. is compelled to urge the people of the world to repent their sins and be saved, Satan ensures that the population sins to its full extent. “Devil Jazz” seems to begin as a modern day morality tale, and yet is transformed into a social and cultural commentary. It asks us to reconsider what we classify as “good” and “evil,” and to renegotiate our own existence within this specific cultural framework. Is it all good and bad? Is there no gray ambiguity to our existence? Forgrave has written a clever novel that forces the reader to think, to reevaluate, and to question. “Devil Jazz” is a fun and funny examination of faith, human nature, and the individual identity.

fujiwarkleft a comment

Craig Forgrave's Devil Jazz places the good versus evil story in modern times. Satan, posing as the friendly alien Armageddon, has risen from a long slumber in the ancient pyramids to aid humanity. Underneath the act and back in his natural form, he has enlisted Adolf Hitler, Vincent van Gogh, and Marilyn Monroe to wreak havoc. Meanwhile, an amnesiac who rows into Doomsday Harbor finds himself recognized as the prophet Jesus Christ. Channeling a voice deep within, "JC" (as he prefers to be called) leads his disciples, including Matthew, Mark, Luke, John & Paul (twins), George, and Ringo, to spread the good word. The world is ending; Judgment Day draws closer. Timely miracles and disasters feature fast food, heavy metal, and sex. All events lead to the good versus evil showdown, a televised debate. This second meeting between JC and Satan plays out with great humor as the two face off, spewing insults and name calling with the intensity of enraged siblings. The comical - albeit bleak - scene begs the question who would you choose, given the halo-headed guy in a dress and the horned toad lord of the flies? It's a tough call. But Forgrave portrays human nature with great scope, spotlighting temptation, love, greed, and faith. The eclectic assembly of players works, and the plethora of witty lines fashions a new (yes, satirical) scripture of provocative ideas. Recommended for lapsed Catholics and/or anyone who's ever wondered how good vs. evil would manifest today.

Craig Forgraveleft a comment

Devil Jazz is my satirical novel about the Devil returning to Earth disguised as an Alien instead of a snake. His lies tempts us all into sin because there are too many commandments to obey them all. My publisher, ENC Press is on Scribd, with a lot of other great authors. If you love satire, check their books out. Olga is the publisher, an ex-stand-up comic and terrific editor!

fufuakaspeechlessleft a comment

Devil Jazz is the story of an alien named Armageddon's appearance to the world at large. What people do not know is that he is really Satan in disguise. He is attempting to bring chaos to the world, and uses three minions to help. Adolf Hitler appeals to the youth, Vincent Van Gogh appeals to the starving artists, and Marilyn Monroe uses her "talents" to seduce men. However, in addition to Satan's arrival, a man with amnesia suddenly becomes viewed as the return of Christ after his face appears on a bathroom wall. He realizes that the world is set to end in 7 days and uses his influence on people to try and stop Satan's plans. This is a very well-written book that will engage you the entire time. Satan's sudden popularity is reminiscent of the book of Revelations in the Bible. This is a showdown between what is right and what is wrong, and definitely worth a read.

derosa2035left a comment

Picture the world as a plaything; sort of like a halfway house between good and evil. This is essentially what Craig Forgrave creates in his eye-opening novel Devil Jazz. When Satan reveals himself to the world as an extraterrestrial, he brings with him three key minions to do his bidding; Adolf Hitler, Marilyn Monroe, and Vincent Van Gogh. Together they attempt to destroy the delicate balance of the world and mankind. Not with brute force or fantastical acts, but with cunning wit, persuasion, natural disasters, and technological advances, of course. On the opposing side, an amnesiac with nothing but his voice to sway mankind, and his small group of followers, who are working to derail the alien’s master plan and save the human race. Full of timeless questions and lines you will want to write on your walls, Devil Jazz leaves no loose knots for the quintessential Good vs. Evil allegory. With elements of both social and political satire, Forgrave echoes the very essence of our being, faith. How will you fair in the face of an apocalypse? Will you stand up when no one else will? Or will you conform? Even if it's against everything you 'believe' in. Forgrave will help to hew these answers from the crux of your soul and beg the question, "Are people inherently good?”