"A Deal with the Devil" is a novel written by Eden Phillpotts, first published in 1913. The story is set in the Devon countryside and follows the life of a young farmer named William Satchell. William is in love with a beautiful young woman named Ruth, but she is engaged to a wealthy landowner named Harry Hawkridge. Desperate to win Ruth's love, William makes a deal with the devil, promising to sell his soul in exchange for the death of Harry Hawkridge. The devil agrees to the deal and Harry is killed in a mysterious accident. However, William soon realizes the terrible consequences of his actions, as he begins to experience strange and frightening supernatural events. He becomes haunted by the devil and his minions and is tormented by guilt over the murder of Harry. As the story unfolds, William must confront the devil and face the consequences of his actions. The novel is a gripping tale of horror and redemption and explores themes of love, desire, and the supernatural. Eden Phillpotts was a prolific British author, playwright, and poet, known for his works of fiction set in the West Country of England. His novels and plays often explored themes of rural life, the supernatural, and the dark side of human nature. "A Deal with the Devil" is one of his most famous works and remains a classic of British horror fiction.
Eden Phillpotts (1862-1960) was an English author, playwright, and poet. He was born in Mount Abu, India, but spent most of his childhood in Devon, England. Phillpotts was a prolific writer, publishing more than 250 works of fiction, drama, and poetry during his long career. Phillpotts began his writing career as a journalist but soon turned to fiction, publishing his first novel, "Lying Prophets," in 1897. He gained widespread critical acclaim for his early novels, which often explored themes of rural life, the supernatural, and the dark side of human nature. In addition to his novels, Phillpotts was also a successful playwright, writing more than 30 plays for the stage. His plays often dealt with social issues and were popular with audiences in both England and the United States. During his career, Phillpotts received numerous literary awards and honors, including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1937. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a member of the Royal Society of Arts. Phillpotts continued to write well into his nineties, and his last novel, "The Virgin in the Ice," was published in 1959. He died the following year, at the age of 98. Today, Phillpotts is remembered as one of England's most prolific and versatile authors of the early 20th century. His works continue to be read and enjoyed by readers around the world.
