I read the most amazing work of Christian fiction last week. I’ll be honest. Although I have read some Christian fiction that I like, I am not a big fan. To me, many of these books seem watered down. However, Tosca Lee’s "Demon: A Memoir" is a stunning Christian novel. It is a book with a twist. The novel takes the reader from pre-Creation to Christ. The most startling aspect of the book for me is that it is told from the perspective of Lucian, a fallen angel.

Clay is a recently divorced man who lives in a drab apartment, works at a monotonous job and lives an uninspiring life until Lucian enters it. Lucian introduces himself with the words, "I’m going to tell you my story, and you’re going to write it down and publish it." What a story it is! Lucian is one of Lucifer’s fallen angels. He takes Clay on the journey of his life, looking at mankind, history and God from the perspective of a demon.

On her website Tosca Lee discusses how the idea for this book jelled in her mind. She was driving along a Nebraska road to her home when she found herself wondering what it would be like to be an angel but fallen. She realized it would be similar to being human and fallen except for one thing—the Messiah. This thought took her to another level. What must it be like to be permanently, irretrievably damned? What must it be like to be a permanent outsider, excluded from God’s grace? What must it be like to watch humanity take the gift of grace for granted? Wouldn’t a demon view the human race with contempt, jealousy and venom?

This is Lucian’s story. At first all the heavenly host worshiped Elohim, the Mighty God, together. Then in one impulsive moment, Lucian and others followed Lucifer as he attempted to rise to the heights of the Almighty. Lucifer, God’s most precious one, became their god. When they came crashing down, Lucian sensed that something fundamental had changed, but what? The Garden became darkness, and the Lord Almighty sobbed to such deafening degree that creation shook.

Then Elohim did an astounding thing. He created light and darkness and restored the Garden to its former glory only better. Creatures suddenly began to inhabit the Garden. Creatures created by Elohim. Astonishingly "El" took clay, formed a mortal breed and breathed life into it. God’s breath is His essence, His Spirit. Why should these clay beings be rewarded in this way? If you had been one of God’s precious beings and now were banished for doing just one thing, how would you react?

Lucian and the other fallen ones—now demons—observed as God’s beloved beings repeatedly failed and squandered Elohim’s incredible gifts. The demons reacted with loathing.

Then the final insult, God lived among the mud people. He granted these unworthy beings the most cherished gift of all, redemption through His Son. Lucian sinned once and is damned forever. Imagine the repugnance he feels. Imagine the revenge he desires to exact on those thankless clay people. Imagine how he yearns for their destruction.

Tosca Lee, who lives in Lincoln, has written a stunning book. It comes with discussion questions for study groups or book clubs. I highly recommend "Demon: A Memoir".

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