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taylorlanxon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Rape, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
jess_orjess's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This book was a quick, yet absurd and rather existential read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the light criticism it had in religion, eternity, the end. The demon Interview was light hearted and funny, followed by a horrifying sense of longevity. You hope and hope that a good conclusion will come of it, but none does.
The prose was interesting and, at some times, beautiful. The description of societies and behaviours in the library over the years was intriguing. It hardly felt like a hundred pages.
The prose was interesting and, at some times, beautiful. The description of societies and behaviours in the library over the years was intriguing. It hardly felt like a hundred pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture and Violence
callmeplushies's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
pluviophile's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Blood
feainnewedd's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
cspa's review
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This concise 104-page book shines brilliantly. Drawing inspiration from Borges' story "The Library of Babel," "A Short Stay in Hell" is not only thought-provoking and entertaining but also deeply moving. The desire for the character to escape, the agony of repetition, the struggle of loving without direction – all resonate profoundly.
The narrative unfolds in a version of hell, one of many possible afterlife destinations. We follow Soren Johansson, a Mormon man in life, as he grapples with his fate in the afterlife for not adhering to the Zoroastrian religion. Sent to hell, he finds himself trapped in an infinite library filled with nonsensical books. Unable to die permanently, he must locate the book detailing his life story from any perspective to secure his release.
In his journey, Soren forges relationships of both friends and enemies, experiences heartbreak, and faces the challenges of eternal love in a place where nothing lasts. The fleeting joy of a profound connection shattered by human flaws and the quest for significance in a world devoid of meaning leaves a lasting impact. The quest for lost love mirrors the elusive search for his life story, adding layers of emotional depth.
"A Short Stay In Hell" is a hauntingly beautiful read that resonates with all. It's a must-read for everyone!
The narrative unfolds in a version of hell, one of many possible afterlife destinations. We follow Soren Johansson, a Mormon man in life, as he grapples with his fate in the afterlife for not adhering to the Zoroastrian religion. Sent to hell, he finds himself trapped in an infinite library filled with nonsensical books. Unable to die permanently, he must locate the book detailing his life story from any perspective to secure his release.
In his journey, Soren forges relationships of both friends and enemies, experiences heartbreak, and faces the challenges of eternal love in a place where nothing lasts. The fleeting joy of a profound connection shattered by human flaws and the quest for significance in a world devoid of meaning leaves a lasting impact. The quest for lost love mirrors the elusive search for his life story, adding layers of emotional depth.
"A Short Stay In Hell" is a hauntingly beautiful read that resonates with all. It's a must-read for everyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
takecoverbooks's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
misssleepy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I have come across this book on BookTok several times. It’s a short yet existential read.
Overall I liked the book. I thought the concept and story was fascinating, yet it was overall very bleak and sad. I do always a joy something with philosophical undertones
It reminded me of how The Good Place (TV Show) ends. With the realization that eventually there is a desire for life/after-life to end. That the monotony eventually becomes too unbearable. That diversity (in all senses) and meaning are major parts of what drives the human will to live.
I think this one will sit with me for a while. As someone who grew up religious and then eventually had to unwind many of the beliefs that were ingrained in me, the narrators struggle to unwind his morman beliefs in the face of his new truths really resonated with me.
I was kind of curious as to why the library only contained white people. It was a theme that kept being brought up but we were offered no explanation. Idk, maybe I need to think on it some more.
Overall I liked the book. I thought the concept and story was fascinating, yet it was overall very bleak and sad. I do always a joy something with philosophical undertones
It reminded me of how The Good Place (TV Show) ends. With the realization that eventually there is a desire for life/after-life to end. That the monotony eventually becomes too unbearable. That diversity (in all senses) and meaning are major parts of what drives the human will to live.
I think this one will sit with me for a while. As someone who grew up religious and then eventually had to unwind many of the beliefs that were ingrained in me, the narrators struggle to unwind his morman beliefs in the face of his new truths really resonated with me.
I was kind of curious as to why the library only contained white people. It was a theme that kept being brought up but we were offered no explanation. Idk, maybe I need to think on it some more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Injury/Injury detail
watermelleon's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
An absolutely bizarre thought experiment that filled me with a weird sense of dread and also reflection. I feel a bit of similarity to "I have no mouth but I must scream" in terms of the dark tone and feelings of existentialism faced by the characters.
Think that mental image of falling will stay with me for some time.
Some parts were beautifully written, and I have some lovely highlights I will definitely be coming back to! Overall a really good novella that got me gripped, and gave me much to think about. It has also put the library of babel on my reading list!
Think that mental image of falling will stay with me for some time.
Some parts were beautifully written, and I have some lovely highlights I will definitely be coming back to! Overall a really good novella that got me gripped, and gave me much to think about. It has also put the library of babel on my reading list!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
itsjustgrumpy's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What would you do with an eternity of self reflection and the inability to die for more than one day before resurrecting in bed? This wasn't just dark, but disturbingly reflective.
Edit: I've changed from 4 stars to 5 stars because this book has stuck with me. I think about it regularly, it lingers in the back of my head waiting to cleave whatever good mood I had.
Edit: I've changed from 4 stars to 5 stars because this book has stuck with me. I think about it regularly, it lingers in the back of my head waiting to cleave whatever good mood I had.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Blood
Minor: Colonisation