INFERNO

Rating:
Summary: Heck of a ride
Review: For some reason this seems to be the only Niven/Pournelle collaboration not in widespread print. Indeed that's sad because this is probably one of the more distinctive of their collective musings, if still definitely having their mark on it. The title was no doubt easy to pick, in case you're wondering if the book has anything to do with that wacky long work of poetry by a certain Italian poet, you're absolutely right. A science fiction writer dies and for some strange reason gets sent to hell, which of course he then proceeds to break down into science fiction terms (figuring he must have gotten sent into the future . . . "Infernoland" I love it!) while events and settings around him defy all sense of logic and physics. It's a rollicking ride through the netheregions, the boys barely give you time to catch your breath as Carpentier attempts to replicate Dante's journey through the place to get the heck out of there. Along the way he runs into the twentieth century versions of sins, some of which you might disagree with, since a bunch are political in nature but I found most of them fairly funny and the authors don't hit you over the head with their social commentary. He also runs into some notorious historical figures and the identity of his guide is at first so seemingly obvious that you can't believe that they had the gall to actually include him in the book and then you wonder how come Carpenter doesn't realize until long after you do. A great companion to Dante's poem, it raises a few religious questions just to give you something to think about but overall it's a fun read.

Rating:
Summary: Burning Pages
Review: I read this book while in college, and did so a number of times, as it was an easy read and couldn't put it down. Prior to Inferno I read Dante so with this book I felt as if I was revisting hell, but through modern eyes. This book now is impossible to find. I was foolish enough to loan my copy to a friend, and the rest is history. My only hope is, he is currantly spending eternity in a brown botttle, and repenting his sin of never returning the book to me.

Rating:
Summary: A Hellacious Read!
Review: A modern man's perspective on 'H...E...Double... Hockeysticks.' Deals with the issue of why a Supreme Being who is supposed to be LOVE personified would allow such an evil 'place' to exist, never mind create it! This is one of those novels that I recommend to people all of the time. One of my all-time favorites, top 10. I loaned it to a friend recently and have been on pins and needles ever since, waiting for its safe return.

Rating:
Summary: The British Point of View
Review: Brilliant! The SF buff's guide to Dantes Inferno. And it made me feel sympathy for Mussolini! A tour de force; not to be missed.

Rating:
Summary: reading this book was like a punishment in the Inferno!
Review: Having read "Lucifer's Hammer" by this team of authors, I figured maybe they were up to the formidable challenge of updating Dante's "Inferno". WRONG! This was an extremely poorly written and downright silly effort. The main character in the book, Allen Carpenter, romps through Hell like it was his own backyard, all the while feeling more than free to insult and second guess "the Builders" (God?). Unlike Dante, you felt that Carpenter truly belonged in Hell, and you really didn't care whether he made it out of Hell safely or not! This book was dedicated by the authors to Dante Alighieri,but I imagine that he would prefer not to have his name associated with this sophomoric dribble.

Rating:
Summary: Modern day view of Dante's hell
Review: The best science fiction I have read. Niven's and Pournelle's work blends seamlessly together to paint a portrait of a trip through hell. Seen from the point of view of a science fiction writer, this story captivates the reader as it explores the hows and whys of the afterlife. I loaned this book to a friend and have been unable to locate it again since. If you can find it, hold onto it.

Rating:
Summary: Read for school
Review: im still in highschool and my teacher is making us read inferno. although it is a intrieging book and i can see how others liked it. I havent really. maybe because of my age, or maybe because of my taste. I wont read this book again. I dont discourage it however. everyone has their own opinion. thanks

Rating:
Summary: I really enjoyed this book!
Review: Wow! A modern Dante! What a fun story this was! Journey to hell and see the sights! This novel was more than just a good read, it was a moving experience. It gave the authors a chance to share their views on the position of all stratas of society. Very intriquing all the way through. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Rating:
Summary: Roll over Dante, Baby Boomer's guide to Perdition
Review: A guest at the annual convention of science fictions writers chug-a-lugs a quart of sour mash and falls from a hotel balcony. So begins a late Twentieth Century jaunt through Hell, characters updated and guided by none other than Benito Mussolini. Il Duce is something of an anti-hero in comparison to Dante's Virgil but hey, it's the 20th Century. See the do-gooder who outlawed diet cola, a mass of adipose sitting moveless on the plane of jars. Imagine the disgust of the protagonist upon learning that Vonnegut has been mis-assigned to the portion of the Nether World reserved for writers of science fiction.

One of the earliest, if not the first collaboration of these two brilliant writers. Possibly somewhat dated at the turn of the century but boomers will enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: One Hell of a Book
Review: Sort of a modern Dante's Inferno only easier to read. A profound look at modern society and death. I have read the book several times. I wish that it was longer.