Escape from Hell

December 8, 2008
In the long-awaited sequel to 1976's Hugo and Nebula–nominated Inferno
, dead science fiction writer Allen Carpenter returns to the nine circles of Dante's Hell on a quest. After witnessing infamous fascist dictator Benito Mussolini (Carpenter's Virgil-like guide in Inferno
) escape from the confines of Hell, Carpenter vows to make the nightmarish journey again and liberate as many tortured souls as possible. Poet Sylvia Plath, recently freed from the Wood of Suicides, accompanies Carpenter, as do a diverse cast of notorious historic figures, including Pontius Pilate, J. Robert Oppenheimer and Anna Nicole Smith. This well-constructed tale will inspire many readers to seek out the original Divine Comedy
, but fans of Inferno
may find that the landscape and the plot are a little too familiar.

January 15, 2009
Having fought his way out of Dante's all too real Hell in "Inferno", sf writer Allen Carpenter now returnsto rescue souls who don't deserve to be there. Teaming up with the poet-suicide Sylvia Plath, Carpenter discovers that, while entering Hell is easy, leaving itespecially with a crowdis hard. Veteran sf writers Niven ("Ringworld's Children") and Pournelle ("Star Swarm") again build a monumental saga that is part tribute, part satire, and entirely entertaining. Recommended for most sf collections.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2009
In Inferno (1976), Niven and Pournelle updated Dante for the modern age, swapping medieval torments for more contemporary ones. At the end of the book, its protagonist, deceased sf writer Allen Carpenter, accompanied by Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, discovered a way out of hells nine circles but remained profoundly disturbed by the underworlds unjust punishments. Now survivors guilt has driven Carpenter back to the damneds domain to attempt a wholesale rescue of its tortured denizens. His sidekick this time is the poet Sylvia Path, with whom Carpenter shares an uncommon literary perspective on their surroundings. In their trek through hells darkest corners, the pair enlists the aid of such historic figures as J. Robert Oppenheimer, J. Edgar Hoover, and militant atheist Bertrand Russell. Satan, however, has other ideas. While the territory is perhaps too littered with celebrities in this installment, Niven and Pournelles further life experience helps them add gravitas to Carpenters philosophical contemplations. Meanwhile, their collaborative narrative magic is as compelling as ever.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)