A review by icebearg
A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

In A Short Stay in Hell, The author creates a well thought-out and elaborate existential torture which leaves the reader truly feeling the hero's hopelessness in his exploration of Hell fashioned from the infamous Library of Babel. At first, the reader is presented with a harmless first impression of what is a Zoroastrian Hell as the hero indulges in luxuries and community outside of danger, contradicting the conventional Christian image of Hell. However, this was intentionally done to let the reader's guard down only to see as the story progresses, the hero slowly discovers the true tortures that lie within this Library of Babel.  Existential dread, poverty of sensation, the Sisyphean struggle against eternity, and a rude awakening on the fact that Hell is other people. 
It is a fascinating read which will make you question your meaning and purpose in the universe. 
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