Inferno
by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jerry Pournelle, Larry NivenEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-09-02
ISBN: 0765316765
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Orb Books
Book Reviews of Inferno
Book Review: A Damned Good Story
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, forgive my punn in the review title. This was my first novel written by either Niven or Pournelle. After reading a little about the book I decided to give it a try as it seemed up my alley. Imaginative does not do justice to this one.
The novel begins with a darkly humorous episode where science fiction author Allan Carpenter(Carpentier) accidentally kills himself while trying to impress a stereotypical group of fans. Needless to say, the rationalist Carpenter finds himself surprised to find himself in a hell very similar to the one described by Dante. Even more surprising, a certain historical figure calling himself Benito tells Allan that he can lead him out of hell (the authors used some of C.S. Lewis's thought about choosing eternal destiny). And so a wild journey begins. Along the way, the two meet various fictional and historical characters--the latter include Henry XIII, Vlad Dracula, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Al Capone,etc. The fictional characters are often satirical jabs at modern society. A health nut stuck in with gluttons, radical environmentalists and those who destroy the environment facing ironic punishments (e.g. getting chased by bulldozers or stuck cycling trying to stop an exhaust pipe), lying advertizers wading around in excrement. A republican and democratic senator who voted against a lazer defense system for very different reasons are also featured. Needless to say, it is a wild and for the main characters very painful ride.
The writing itself is very well done. There is some cursing in the novel and of course very violent secenes (though often ironic and sometimes darkly humorous). Overall an entertaining read which can get one thinking about certain issues.
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