The Devil Three Times

A Novel

De: Rickey Fayne

Narrado por: James Fouhey, Robin Miles, Joniece Abbott-Pratt

“A debut of enormous ambition” spanning eight generations of a Black family in West Tennessee as they are repeatedly visited by the Devil (Nathan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of The Sweetness of Water)

Yetunde awakens aboard a slave ship en route to the United States with the spirit of her dead sister as her only companion. Desperate to survive the hell that awaits her at their destination, Yetunde finds help in an unexpected form—the Devil himself. The Devil, seeking a way to reenter the pearly gates of heaven, decides to prove himself to an indifferent God by protecting Yetunde and granting her a piece of his supernatural power. In return, Yetunde makes an incredible sacrifice.

Their bargain extends far beyond Yetunde's mortal lifespan. Over the next 175 years, the Devil visits Yetunde's descendants in their darkest hour of need: Lucille, a conjure woman; Asa, who passes for white; Louis and Virgil, who risk becoming a twentieth-century Cain and Abel; Cassandra, who speaks to the dead; James, who struggles to make sense of the past while fighting to keep his family together; and many others. The Devil offers each of them his own version of salvation, all the while wondering: can he save himself, too?

Steeped in the spiritual traditions and oral history of the Black diaspora, The Devil Three Times is a baptism by fire and water, heralding a new voice in American fiction.

©2025 Rickey Fayne (P)2025 Little, Brown & Company

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A major new talent announces himself with The Devil Three Times. Rickey Fayne has written a structurally inventive novel that challenges nearly everything we've been taught about God and the Devil and the usefulness of Jesus’s love for Black folks. This book is daring, and it challenged me at every turn. I was also deeply moved by its soulful belief in a universe in which we are all connected across generations.” —Attica Locke, New York Times bestselling author of Guide Me Home and Bluebird, Bluebird

“If Milton taught us something sexy about the Devil, this deliciously sacrilegious and profane debut by Rickey Fayne thrusts the dark and needy anti-hero through the sloppy heart of American nation building. In The Devil Three Times, the Laurent family and their black winged guardian—their triumphs or subjections, from the plantation system to the heavenly plane—will sing their way into the consciousness of any reader ready to listen. Fayne’s voice triumphs at the nexus of intimacy and violence, reminding us never to look away from what we all, under some banner of fear or righteousness, once dared to want.”

—Joseph Earl Thomas, author of God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer and Sink

“A brilliant gospel chorus of resilience and humanity. We cover generations with storytelling that is equally smart, sexy, propulsive, and inventive. It’s a scary novel that holds armfuls of beauty. Whole pages will stick with you, as they’ve stuck with me. Rickey Fayne’s talent is a joy to behold.” —Gabriel Bump, author Everywhere You Don’t Belong and The New Naturals

My new favorite-One for all the recovering evangelicals out there

Sympathy for the devil? It’s a great place to start if you’re looking to find some empathy for yourself and the flawed but beloved people in your life. This novel has it all—richness and complexity in every character, diverse voices and gracious dignity for all. Engrossing and heartwarming, an eternal return with every chapter.

This was a really different take/look at a family saga!!

This was a lovely family saga that took a different look at how “the devil” shows up and is woven throughout this family’s history! I truly enjoyed it!

Very hard to follow

The stories didn’t transition well. When a new character is introduced, the story, location and purpose without a chapter or sentence to separate. The story changes mid sentence. Robin and Joniece were outstanding narrators per usual.