Isaac Asimov - Azazel

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.

The Azazel stories include:

The Two-Centimeter Demon

One Night of Song (1982)

The Smile That Loses (1982)

The Dim Rumble (1982)

Saving Humanity (1983)

A Matter of Principle (1983)

The Evil That Drink Does (1984)

Writing Time (1984)

Dashing Through the Snow (1984)

Logic is Logic (1985)

He Travels the Fastest (1985)

The Eye of the Beholder (1985)

More Things in Heaven and Earth (1986)

The Mind's Construction (1986)

The Flights of Spring (1986)

Galatea (1987)

Flight of Fancy (1988) 


This is a collection of funny short stories by the author, all about the two-centimeter high demon Azazel (not its real name, but the real name cannot be pronounced easily). Azazel rides about in the pocket of a friend (descended from magicians and able to summon a demon), and the friend narrates the adventures. The problem is that Azazel wants to be helpful, but the wishes people have in mind are not always translated well in their directions. It is like programming a computer - you must be very careful (garbage in means garbage out, or in this case bad or incomplete directions may have unexpected results).

Want to be attractive to women? Done! Whoops, you didn't mean that kind of woman? Afraid of bullies, and don't want anyone to lay a hand on you? Done! Whoops, you didn't mean everyone including your girlfriend? You get the picture. Remember King Midas.