The Father of Lies

The Father of Lies is an anthology by K.J. Parker that brings all of his novellas together. This work of fantastical fiction often includes irony, metaphorical messages, and humor.

The Thing We Do for Love was my favorite novella in the anthology. Not only was it a fun story to read, but it was original. A young con-artist spends the night with a woman who he later finds out is a witch. She helps him become rich, but he grows weary of her. He grows so frustrated with her that he puts himself in death’s path to get away from her. The witch goes to the land of the dead and brings him back. After many years of marriage and attempts to escape her clutches, the man finally accepts his fate with her; and the witch leaves him for a younger man.
br>I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read fantasy and myths, especially those who enjoy a bit of humor. I consider myself a new fan of this author and these novellas are ones that I will read again and again.