I’ve read a lot of Simak’s stuff, but this was the first fantasy of his that I’ve read. The plot toys with the idea that the characters of our imagination could be forced to exist by our belief, so the hero encounters the Devil, werewolves, Don Quixote and others. The idea is interesting but it wasn’t pulled off well. The plot took too long to get going, spending the first quarter or so indulging in the love of old country life that is evident in a lot of Simak’s work (although often used to much better effect) and the end was far too rushed and completely anti-climactic.
