{"product_id":"2026200007506-secondhand-the-old-man-and-mr-smith-a-fable","title":"The Old Man And Mr Smith: A Fable","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition remarks:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBook: Good                          \u003cbr\u003eJacket: Worn\/faded, no tears\u003cbr\u003ePages: Good                  \u003cbr\u003eMarkings: Fair - Bumping on spine and corners. Rubbed edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA wickedly satirical fable from the pen of the legendary polymath Peter Ustinov, The Old Man and Mr. Smith chronicles a darkly comic journey in which God and the Devil descend to Earth together to take stock of humanity's moral condition. The novel presents a world that has grown so corrupt and absurd that even its two supreme supernatural overseers find themselves bewildered and outpaced by human folly. With razor-sharp wit and a tone that balances philosophical mischief with genuine pathos, Ustinov illustrates the tragicomic state of modern civilization through the eyes of two immortal observers who have, in many ways, seen it all — yet remain astonished. The narrative unfolds as a picaresque road trip through contemporary society, skewering politics, religion, and human vanity with the effortless elegance of a master storyteller. Fans of literary satire in the tradition of Voltaire will find this a richly rewarding and thought-provoking read.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secondhand Stock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48887905222875,"sku":"2026200007506-SECONDHAND","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/7646\/9701\/files\/83f2a17e-e8b2-461f-95b5-5a27f5e3c6b8.png?v=1781748587","url":"https:\/\/bookgrocer.com\/products\/2026200007506-secondhand-the-old-man-and-mr-smith-a-fable","provider":"Book Grocer","version":"1.0","type":"link"}