Inferno

By: Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

After being thrown out of the window of his luxury apartment, science-fiction writer Allen Carpentier wakes to find himself at the gates of Hell. Feeling he's landed in a great opportunity for a book, he attempts to follow Dante's road map. Determined to meet Satan himself, Carpentier treks through the nine circles of Hell, led by Benito Mussolini, and encounters countless mental and physical tortures. As he struggles to escape, he's taken through new, puzzling, and outlandish versions of sin recast for the present day.

©1976 Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A dazzling tour de force." (Poul Anderson)
"A fast, amusing and vivid book, by a writing team noted for intelligence and imagination." (Roger Zelazny)

interesting

It was a fun journey. Made me worry about the actions I have taken. Thinking deeper into what it might be like if it turns out I am wrong about religion.

Fascinating take on Dante

This is both sobering (thinking about life and after, morality and more) and invigorating as a fantasy narrative. Love the character references know and unknown.

I first read this in high school. I immediately read Dante's after. I could not resist revisiting this on Audible.

Dante, meet Piers anthony

Any additional comments?

I did not immediately like this book. I had to start and stop three times before it finally got into gear. I was so reminded of the Xanth novels by Piers Anthony that i kept that in mind throughout. I loved Xanth when I was a kid, so this was a fun book for me. This is definitely not for everyone, but it's worth a listen (especially if you can get it in the bargain bin)
Has the feel of a dream, Look into the peep hole of the hypno gourd, "we are on an adventure, you may join us if you wish"
Narrator was good, but Benito Mussolini kind of sounds like Dracula.

I enjoyed this!

I enjoyed this tale. It follows two gents around Dante's circles of Hell as they try to make their way out. There is a grand moral tale building, but it's subtle and you don't see it coming (which is how I prefer my morality tales). And you feel good about the characters at the end.

Journy through hell

What did you love best about Inferno?

I bought this book because of my love for the writings of Niven and Pournelle who introduced me to great science fiction years ago. It tells the story of Carpenter, a science fiction writer, who finds himself in Dante's hell and initially thinks it is something created not by God, who he doesn't believe in, but more as a science fiction world. Lessons are learner, companions are added during the journey and beliefs are questioned. I had trouble getting into the book as I had forgotten the review and was looking for a different style. Once I got into it I had trouble turning off my Ipod. The narration was great

Inferno

Fun version of Dante s inferno. Great quest for escape, interesting group of folks hanging in the hot spot. Everything I've read from these two I've enjoyed

Knowing Reality

Would you listen to Inferno again? Why?

Absolutely. Everytime I read or listen to this book I gain more knowledge and wisdom of the reality and finality of sin and gain hope.

Which character – as performed by Tom Weiner – was your favorite?

Benito

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Reality in Eternity

Inferno minus the poetry

I was pretty happy with this. For a long time I've been interested in Dante's Inferno, but I am not big on poetry and the fact that the original was written as poetry, and then because I don't speak Italian, translated poetry always turned me off from it. There are good translations out there of course, but you can tell it was written to try to present imagery above telling a story.

This tells of a similar story, but from the perspective of a more relatable character and with more relatable references. It contains a lot of food for thought. I am not sure if the story is hopeful or horrifying, but it's an exploration of a lot of thoughts I've had myself. In the end, it tells an interesting story, though it feels a bit unresolved at the end. I understand that there is a sequel which I've heard mixed reviews of, but I think I am going to give it and other works by Larry Niven a try as a result.

It's not a fun book really, and the subject matter is predictably dark, but it is thought provoking and interesting, and there is a place for that in my library.

Dante done in the 70's

This book was originally written in 1970's so some of the language is a bit dated. Additionally some of the characterizations of women are likewise from a time when the women's movement was just starting to raise the consciousness of individuals, so sexist language and sterotypes still pervade this book (ironically underscored by the male narrator doing female voices). Reading this book, you can almost visualize the gold lamae shirt (unbuttoned to the navel) and choker chain around the neck of its primary antagonist Alan Carpenter (or Alan Carpentier as its pronounced through at least part of it). Once you get past the dated elements, the plot is an interesting retelling of Dante's Inferno with reference to Dante throughout. As Carpenter trudges through the circles of Hell his guide explains to him the sins that each level punishes.

Throughout it all the most interesting thing is the constant questions of justice. How can a just God demand punishment for all ETERNITY for acts done in a finite lifetime? The value of this book is its attempt to grapple with this question. In the end it is as influenced by C.S. Lewis as it is by Dante (which becomes explicit in the sequel)and it is clear that the author is not the agnostic skeptic that his protagonist is. Still it ends up being an interesting discussion of a weighty issue.

Two things I would note. The book should be considered long midrash on Dante, as a result it does not move very quickly and if you are not intrigued by the religious elements in it, it will not be for you (as a professor of Religious Studies I ended up liking it). So while its categorized as sci-fi/fantasy its really more religious fiction. Second, on the upside if you have always wanted to read Dante but 14th century poetry is not really your thing, this is an entertaining way to get much of it and may compel you in the end to re/turn to the original.

GREAT LISTEN!!

I first read this book on a jersey shore beach vacation in the mid 80's when I was a teenager and from that point I was hooked by the authors and this form of fiction.I have since read all of Niven and Pournelle's work and listened to the few available audiobooks offered by the authors and Inferno is still my favorite book after all these years! To describe Inferno wont do it justice, you just have to jump in. I will say, however that the authors have turned the much feared revelations version of hell into an adventure. I'm not sure Dante would have approved but I am sure he would be amused.