The Devil and Miss Prym

Jul 9, 2026

A novel of temptation exploring humanity’s inherited division between Good and Evil. It frames the theme through biblical and Persian legends in which a creator’s prayers produce Good while remorse births Evil, and later through Eden’s forbidden knowledge that destabilizes paradise. The narrative follows ordinary people confronted with sudden love, death, and power, emphasizing that profound change can occur within a brief, decisive week, as an unexpected stranger arrives in Viscos.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages173

Reading Time4 h 26 min

Begin Reading

Epigraph and Author’s Note

Division Through Legends (Persia and Genesis)

Theme and Trilogy Context

The Story in Viscos

PAULO COELHO THE DEVIL AND MISS PRYM A Novel of Temptation Translated by Amanda Hopkinson and Nick Caistor Hail Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who turn to Thee for help. Amen. And a certain ruler asked him, saying,“Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said unto him,“Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is God.” Luke 18:18–19 Contents Epigraph Author’s Note Begin Reading About the Author Other Books by Paulo Coelho Credits Copyright About the Publisher Author’s note The first story about division comes from ancient Persia: the god of time, having created the universe, sees harmony all around him, but feels that there is still something very important missing—a companion with whom to share all this beauty. For a thousand years, he prays for a son. The story does not say to whom he prays, given that he is omnipotent, the sole, supreme lord; nevertheless, he prays and, finally, he becomes pregnant. When he realizes he has achieved his heart’s desire, the god of time is filled with remorse, suddenly conscious of how fragile the balance of things is. But it is too late and the child is already on its way. All he achieves by his lamentations is to cause the son he is carrying in his belly to divide into two. The legend recounts that just as Good (Ormuzd) is born out of the god of time’s prayers, so Evil (Ahriman) is born out of his remorse—twin brothers. The concerned father arranges everything so that Ormuzd will emerge first from his belly, to take charge of his brother and to prevent Ahriman from throwing the universe into confusion. However, Evil—being very intelligent and resourceful—manages to push Ormuzd aside at the moment of their birth, and thus is the first to see the light of the stars. Distraught, the god of time resolves to forge alliances on Ormuzd’s behalf: he brings into being the human race so that they can fight alongside Ormuzd and stop Ahriman taking control of everything. In the Persian legend, the human race is born to be the ally of Good, and, according to tradition, Good will triumph in the end. However, many centuries later, another story about division emerges, this time presenting the opposite view: man as the instrument of Evil. I imagine that most people will know which story I mean. A man and a woman are in the Garden of Eden, enjoying every imaginable delight. But one thing is forbidden: the couple can never know the meaning of Good and Evil. The Lord God says (Genesis 2:17): “But of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil, thou shalt not eat ofit….” And one fine day the serpent appears, swearing that this knowledge is more important than paradise itself and that they should possess that knowledge. The woman refuses, saying that God has threatened her with death, but the serpent assures her that nothing of the kind will happen but quite the contrary, for on the day when they learn what Good and Evil are, they will become God’s equals. Convinced, Eve eats of the forbidden fruit and gives some of it to Adam. From this moment on, the original balance of paradise is destroyed, and the pair are driven out of paradise and cursed. Yet there remain some enigmatic words spoken by God and which confirm what the serpent said:“Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know Good and Evil….” Here, too (as with the god of time who prays for something even though he himself is the lord of the universe), the Bible fails to explain to whom the one God is speaking, and—assuming he is unique—why he should use the expression “one of us.” Whatever the answer, it is clear that from its very inception the human race has been condemned to exist within the eternal division, always moving between those two opposing poles. So here we are, afflicted by the same doubts as our ancestors. The aim of this book is to tackle this theme, occasionally interpolating into the plot other legends on the subject drawn from th

FAQs

What theme does the novel focus on from the beginning?

The novel centers on humanity’s enduring division between Good and Evil and how that split shapes individuals and society.

How do the text’s legends explain the origin of Good and Evil?

A Persian legend presents Good as born from a god of time’s prayers and Evil as born from his remorse. A biblical reference (Genesis) links the fall to humanity gaining knowledge of Good and Evil.

Why does the author emphasize a one-week timeframe for change?

The author argues that the most profound personal and societal changes happen in a very reduced time frame, when life challenges people to accept their destiny and transform.

Jul 9, 2026

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