Book Recommendation: The Devil's Dictum by Frederick Gero Heimbach
Gonzo alternate history at its finest
I think what I appreciate more than anything when I read a story is to be surprised. And when I tell you that Frederick Gero Heimbach’s novel The Devil’s Dictum is one of the most unique, surprising, and delightful books I have ever read… I hope it means something. There was literally never a time that I knew what was coming next, and I loved it. I wanted to know what weird, wild, or wacky (and usually all three at once) scenario was going to greet me with every newly turned page.
It does help that this book is right down my aisle in terms of genre, an alternate history featuring American presidents in fantastical and absurd situations. I’ve written a few of these. I even recommended another one of Heimbach’s novels in the same vein a few years ago. The Devil’s Dictum, in the immortal words of Nigel Tufnel, turns it up to eleven. No, eleven is not nearly high enough. Maybe one-million-eleven.
So, with that introduction, let me attempt to describe the premise of this book. This book is an alternate history of the United States if, instead of God-fearing Pilgrims colonizing the New World, what if Satan-worshiping pirates did. Are you still with me? Now, what if also those pirates who founded America also had magical witchcraft and political institutions that are so bizarro but still somehow recognizable? And also, what if these pirates have a nameless magical assassin enforcer who works for the Chief Justice (because that is the only functioning branch of this alternate US) who grows disillusioned with his role and goes on a journey to discover his true identity, an identity that threatens the entire Satanic-pirate system and bring it all crashing down?
Let me tell you… that only scratches the surface.
As long as you’re willing to go to some really stange places, this book is a delight and well worth your time. This book is also doubly delightful if you are like me and are an American history buff. It is a treat to see various American figures doing very different things than their actual historical counterparts in this completely twisted alternate timeline.
Do yourself a favor and read The Devil’s Dictum today.
Also check out my previous recommendation for Ronald Reagan’s Brilliant Bullet.
Love how alternate history lets writers take historical figures completely off-script. The pirate-founded America angle is wild but somehow feels fitting for the gonzo genre. I wrote a short speculative piece once about Lincoln in a steampunk setting, and making these figures unrecognizble was the hardest part to nail.
Great review, I heartily agree! I had an absolute blast with this book!