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A Short Stay in Hell

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A man named Soren Johansson finds himself in a personalized version of Hell after dying, based on Borges' Library of Babel. Sentenced to spend eternity in this hell, he must search for the one book that contains the story of his life among countless volumes. The novella explores the concept of eternity, human adaptation, religion, and tolerance, as Soren and his companions navigate through challenges like intimate relationships, organized study, cults, violence, compassion, loneliness, pain, sorrow, hopelessness, and love.

The book is a philosophical examination of infinity and eternity, delving into the human capacity to adapt and the implications of eternity. It presents a thought-provoking exploration of a personalized Hell, where individuals must confront the challenges of finding their life story in a library containing all possible books ever written.

Characters:

Characters are diverse, each facing their own existential dilemmas within the confines of the library hell.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is a blend of humor and deep philosophical reflection, making complex ideas approachable and enjoyable.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a man's afterlife in a library hell where he must search for the book detailing his life, posing philosophical questions about eternity and choice.

Setting:

The setting is an expansive, surreal library that serves as a unique interpretation of hell.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, making it an easy read, yet it invites extensive contemplation afterward.
UPON LEAVING THE DEMON, I was disoriented and could only tell I was in an immense, spacious building. Strangely, to my surprise and despite my terror, confusion, and fear, I felt better than I had for...

Notes:

The novella is about a Mormon who finds himself in a version of Hell after death.
Hell is depicted as an endless library, inspired by Jorge Luis Borges' 'The Library of Babel'.
The main character, Soren, must find the book that contains the perfect version of his life story to escape Hell.
Peck presents Hell as more of a temporary correctional place rather than eternal damnation.
The story addresses deep philosophical themes such as eternity, existence, and human relationships.
Readers often report lingering feelings of existential dread after reading the novella.
Despite its serious themes, it contains moments of humor.
The novella is relatively short, around 110 pages, making it a quick read.
It has received mixed reviews, with some praising its thought-provoking nature and others finding it lacking in depth.
The concept challenges traditional religious views on Hell and faith, suggesting Zoroastrianism as the 'one true faith'.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of existential dread, exploration of hell, religion, and mental anguish.

From The Publisher:

As a faithful Mormon, Soren Johansson has always believed he'll be reunited with his loved ones in an eternal hereafter. Then, he dies. Soren wakes to find himself cast by a God he has never heard of into a Hell whose dimensions he can barely grasp: a vast library he can only escape from by finding the book that contains the story of his life. In this haunting existential novella, author, philosopher, and ecologist Steven L. Peck explores a subversive vision of eternity, taking the reader on a journey through the afterlife of a world where everything everyone believed in turns out to be wrong.

Ratings (31)

Incredible (10)
Loved It (13)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (3)

Reader Stats (103):

Read It (32)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (58)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (7)

2 comment(s)

Incredible
3 months

Holy shit this was intense. The amount of despair and hope compressed into such a compact story really forged a diamond.

How can you describe eternity and it’s implications in under 100 pages? Read this book and find out.

> What is love that it has such power? Whatever it is, it seems unlikely this God who placed me here knows anything about it. If it loved me in the least, could it inflict what it has upon me? Who can understand? Once I feared to say such things, dreading a worse punishment. But what worse fate could there be? To remember love and know it is unattainable? To know love wanders somewhere light-years and light-years distant, ever knowing it is forever out of reach?

 
Loved It
6 months

In the realm of existential literature, few works manage to capture the essence of eternity and its implications on the human spirit as poignantly as Steven L. Peck's novella, "A Short Stay in Hell." This audiobook, narrated with the haunting gravitas of Sergei Burbank, transports the listener into an afterlife that is as bewildering as it is profound.

The story unfolds through the eyes of Soren Johansson, a devout Mormon and geologist, who upon death finds himself in a hell that defies all his earthly beliefs. The hell he encounters is not one of fire and brimstone but an endless library, vast beyond comprehension, filled with every possible book that could ever exist—each one a permutation of letters, most of which are nonsensical. His task to escape this literary labyrinth is deceptively simple yet maddeningly impossible: find the book that contains the true story of his life, without a single error.

Peck's narrative is a masterful blend of horror, philosophy, and dark humor. It challenges the listener to contemplate the nature of infinity, the value of a single life amidst unending possibilities, and the very concept of truth. Burbank's narration adds a layer of depth to this exploration, his voice capturing the weariness of an eternal search and the glimmers of hope that spur Soren onward.

The audiobook's production quality is commendable, with clear audio that allows Burbank's emotive performance to shine. His pacing is deliberate, reflecting the protagonist's methodical approach to his Sisyphean task. The moments of despair, the brief joys, and the philosophical musings are all given their due weight, creating an immersive experience that lingers long after the final words are spoken.

"A Short Stay in Hell" is more than a story; it is a meditation on the human condition. Peck does not shy away from the absurdities of existence, nor does he offer easy answers. Instead, he presents a scenario that forces the listener to grapple with the idea of meaning in a universe that may be inherently meaningless.

The novella's brevity is deceptive, for within its short span, it contains multitudes. It is a testament to Peck's skill as a writer and Burbank's talent as a narrator that such a compact work can hold such vastness within its bounds. The listener is left to ponder the implications of the story, the nature of their own beliefs, and the lengths to which they would go to find their truth.

In conclusion, "A Short Stay in Hell" is a remarkable audiobook that stands out in the landscape of contemporary fiction. It is a thought-provoking journey through an afterlife that mirrors our own search for meaning, narrated with a resonance that enhances the text's impact. For those seeking a story that will challenge their perceptions and leave them with lingering questions, this audiobook is a must-listen. It is a short stay, indeed, but one that echoes into eternity.

 
 
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