What is it with the French and these Devil tales? (No, don't answer that). The third diabolical legend I have read recently - following on Nanine Valen's The Devil's Tail and Charles Scribners' The Devil's Bridge - this entertaining folktale follows the devil, who, having been driven away from the city, settles into a broken-down castle in the country, and proceeds to work his servant almost to death. Luckily, the servant has a brother, who offers to take his place, cleverly making sure the devil gets his due...

I enjoyed this story of a young man who outwits the Devil, thereby saving his brother, and winning a wonderful new home for his entire family. Berson's illustrations, his depiction of the irascible red-haired Satan, and of his courteously unhelpful new servant, had real charm. There seems to be a real tradition of Devil legends in France, and the more I encounter, the more I want to learn more. I wonder if someone has done a study...? However that may be, How the Devil Gets His Due is an entertaining entry in the genre, sure to please young folklore lovers! ( )