There was a fiction book I read a while ago which was a fictional
account of genesis, how the heavens came to be.  It told the story of
beelzebub, lucifer, satan and god...I believe it was a best
seller...this was probably 7 years ago or so.  I would like to know
the author, and the book if possible.  It was a UK published book, and
was available at amazon.co.uk at one time.  It was an alternative
fictional account to the creation of heaven.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 04 Jan 2005 08:58 PST

Hi eugenecook,

How about this one?

The Beginning (Chronicles of Heaven) by Gene Edwards:
"As an ex-jock I'm not a real guy, but I wept like I had not wept in
20 years as I read Gene Edwards description of Adam meeting God. I
wept when I read of Adam meeting his bride Eve. I wept at the
tenderness with which God clothed his Children and sent them from the
Garden. Although The Beginning is fiction, Gene Edwards has used
Biblical truth to vividly and emotionally describe the events of the
beginning of the world. If you have doubts of the glory and honor that
it is to be a child of God you must read this book!"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0940232987/qid=1104857133/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/102-6613752-2272146?v=glance&s=books

From the Paperback edition (1992):
Front cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0940232987/ref=sib_rdr_fc/102-6613752-2272146?%5Fencoding=UTF8&p=S001#reader-page
Back cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0940232987/ref=sib_rdr_bc/102-6613752-2272146?%5Fencoding=UTF8&p=S007#reader-page

Will look forward to your reply,
hummer

---

Clarification of Question by eugenecook-ga on 05 Jan 2005 00:48 PST

It actually never mentioned Adam...this was strictly between all the
angels, Mephistopholes, Beelzebub, Lucifer were all actually
considered equals with god, and went through a "turf war" after a
slight misunderstanding.  It all predates actual biblical accounts and
has no biblical validity whatsoever, and rather is a alternative or
fictional history of the creation of heaven, rather than the creation
of the world.  It was more of a "fun" book rather than any of
religious significance whatsoever, just a fictional account of how the
heavens were created, and how God stands as the king in heaven now.

Hello.

It sounds like you're describing "To Reign in Hell" by Steven Brust.

From a reader review on Amazon UK:

"This is about the time when Satan, Baal, Beelzebub etc were all
together with the other angels in Heaven. How did they all fall out so
badly? This book tells that story, sometimes with a tongue firmly in
the cheek, sometimes poignantly."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312870493/


The following plot description seems consistent with your description
of the book as about a "turf war" over a slight misunderstanding:
 
"The trouble begins when Yahweh decides to create Earth as a safe
haven for all angels from the forces of chaos.   Unfortunately, the
creation would be very dangerous and would have a high casualty rate,
so Yahweh asks Satan to help make sure all of the angels do their
part.  Both archangels have their doubts - they are not sure whether
it is right to force other angels to risk themselves, even if it would
benefit the greater whole...  Eventually, rumors start to leak out
about the plan and angels begin to get nervous.  Somehow, a rumor
spreads that Satan is opposed to the plan.  Abdiel, one of the minor
angels, comes up with a brilliant idea - if he could convince Satan to
revolt against Yahweh, the plan would be cancelled.  However, he
quickly realizes that Satan is only ambivalent about the plan, not
flat out opposed, so Abdiel begins to manipulate Yahweh and Satan into
opposing each other, until Satan is forced to rebel."
source: Mira Meyerovich, "Review of To Reign In Hell by Steven Brust,"
hosted by Brandeis.dei
http://people.brandeis.edu/~borg/fantasy/revfan2.htm

---------
search strategy:
beelzebub angels novel site:amazon.co.uk
"to reign in hell" brust review

I hope "To Reign in Hell" is the novel that you had in mind. If not,
please let me know via the "Request Clarification" feature. Thanks.

You actually found it...I didn't think it would be found, much less
that fast...thank you very much!