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The Demon [Paperback]

Hubert Selby
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

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Book Description

July 1 2000
A major American author of a stature with William Burroughs and Joseph Heller.?Los Angeles Times

Harry White is a man haunted by a satyr's lust and an obsessive need for sin and retribution. The more Harry succeeds - a good marriage, a good corporate job - the more desperate he becomes, as a life of petty crime leads to fraud and murder and, eventually, to apocalyptic violence.

Author of the controversial cult classic, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Hubert Selby began as a writer of short fiction. He plunges the reader head-first into the densely realized worlds of his protagonists, in which the details of daily life rub shoulders with obsession and madness. Although fundamentally concerned with morality, Selby's own sense of humility prevents him from preaching. He offers instead a passionate empathy with the ordinary dreams and aspirations of his characters, a brilliant ear for the urban vernacular and for the voices of conscience and self-deceit that torment his characters.
"Selby's place is in the front rank of American novelists ... to understand his work is to understand the anguish of America."?The New York Times Book Review

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Review

Selby's place is in the front rank of American novelists ... to understand his work is to understand the anguish of America. The New York Times Book Review A major author of a stature with William Burroughs and Joseph Heller Los Angeles Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Hubert Selby, Jr. was born in Brooklyn in 1928. At the age of 15, he dropped out of school and went to sea with the merchant marines. While at sea he was diagnosed with lung disease. With no other way to make a living, he decided to try writing: 'I knew the alphabet. Maybe I could be a writer.' In 1964 he completed his first book, Last Exit to Brooklyn, which has since become a cult classic. In 1966, it was the subject of an obscenity trial in the UK. His other books include The Room, The Demon, Requiem for a Dream, Song of the Silent Snow, The Willow Tree and Waiting Period. In 2000, Requiem for a Dream starred Jared Leto and Ellen Burstyn and was directed by Darren Aronofsky. Hubert Selby Jr died in Highland Park, Los Angeles, California in April 2004. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Scarily Truthful Sep 16 2004
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I will never look at vice presidents or huge corporations the same way again. This book portrays the dark side of big money makers. Some of this book is hard to swallow, but that is what makes Hubert Selby's books so damn good! If you have a weak stomach or strong morals, this book is not for you.
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5.0 out of 5 stars a perfect book May 4 2004
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
captures addiction, human nature, denial, struggle and hell perfectly.

I am fairly well-read, and this is about my favorite book ever.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Reminded me of American Psycho...on Valium. April 29 2004
Format:Paperback
I'm not sure why I wasn't too fond of it. I guess I found Harry, the main character, to be kind of hokey. I can picture him saying, "Hi, I'm Harry. I'm successful, women like me, and I can play a hell of a game of baseball." And then he winks. That's just what I think of when I think of this book.

I guess this book just kind of bored me. I didn't really feel sorry for him. I wasn't particularly fond of the guy. Harry didn't make me angry, either. Harry White stirred up no emotions in me whatsoever. I just remember I wanted him to kill himself. I thought Linda, his wife, was a really nice lady. I did feel sorry for her. I didn't really LIKE her all that much, but at least she made me feel sympathy.

I guess I just found his little obsessions to be way too predictable. I knew that one night he would sleep with a woman, and then the next night, HE WOULD DO IT AGAIN! I mean, that's not so bad. It's just that I felt like I was reading this: Harry went out one night and slept with some broad. Harry went to work and felt extreme agitation. That night he slept with another woman. The next day at work was no better. He felt extreme agitation..." and so on. I guess I must have a touch of ADD.

But I did like a couple things in this book. I thought it was funny when he started sleeping with REALLY dirty women. And his thoughts about STD's were pretty amusing. I thought they were, anyway. Also, when he did that thing to the hobo... yeah. I don't want to give away anything. Hobos are always fun. That gave it three stars. Plus, I didn't NOT like it. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't great.

So, Selby, this is book two I have read by you. It will not be my last! I am too stupid for my own good.

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Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
I read this book after reading 'Requiem for a Dream' and I couldn't put it down (I know that's cliche). Read more
Published on April 24 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece
Another near-perfect novel by Selby.
Published on Dec 27 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome style and superb writing
This is my first Selby book and now I am going to read all of them...this guy knows how to develop that inner chain of impulses that devours your will just if you keep feeding them... Read more
Published on Nov 15 2003 by Sergio Lopez
3.0 out of 5 stars ????
Nevermind the 3 stars I've given this book. My review is conditional. First off let me say I'm completely confused by the effect this book was supposed to produce. Read more
Published on April 18 2003 by D. Marrero
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal....
Thats what i said as i closed the book, i will never touch again. This was the most disturbing book ive ever read, it gave me a bad "feeling" after i set it down, it... Read more
Published on Mar 11 2003 by Max D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Horrors of an ordinary life!
Harry had it all, and couldn't stand it. It makes you want to forget about living the good life and extremely content with the one you have. Read more
Published on Feb 27 2003
2.0 out of 5 stars This was dissapointing
I really liked Last Exit to Brooklyn as well as Requiem for a Dream. This book, however, seemed to drag on and on... Read more
Published on Feb 24 2003 by J. Hansen
5.0 out of 5 stars Selby: genius
Every book that I have read written by Selby, has affected me in too many ways to mention. Those people who have read The Demon, and any other books by this man know, that he tells... Read more
Published on Jan 14 2003 by ickytips
4.0 out of 5 stars about average for Selby
Harry White is an overacheiver yuppie type who has a proclivity for married women. After he becomes well established in his job, buys a home, gets married and has children,... Read more
Published on July 4 2002 by Haseeb
3.0 out of 5 stars enough to keep your attenion...i guess
I bough this book based on the reviews of others. I recieved it with open arms and high expectations only to be highly dissapointed. Read more
Published on Jun 16 2002 by Bruce Parsons
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