The Old Man and Mr Smith

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The Old Man and Mr. Smith are undoubtedly the most surprising pair in contemporary literature! They are none other than God and the Devil on a work visit to planet Earth. However, they struggle to keep up with the developments in modern society, which leads both old gentlemen into significant trouble. After being arrested by the FBI for counterfeiting (God has a trick for plucking brand-new dollar bills from the air) and subsequently escaping, they spend the rest of their mission on the run from the authorities. Their flight is a rapid journey around the world, visiting the United States (where absurd optimism prevails), the Soviet Union (on the brink of collapse), a conflict-torn Israel, Japan (where efficiency has become the new religion), and China (with its "dictatorship of the nursing home"). The Old Man and Mr. Smith is an ironic parable about our times. Ustinov presents the world through the sharp eyes of two immortals: the amiable Old Man, weary and forgetful yet deeply concerned about his Creation, and Mr. Smith, a very human devil in his bad temper and worry. Along the way, they develop a surprising mutual respect.