A Short Stay in Hell

I didn't think a book of this slimness, of this brevity, could be so densely mind-bending, depressing, and depraved of resolution. But I suppose that was the ultimate sentiment this book was trying to achieve, and I believe it succeeded. While not seemingly a biased indoctrination, Peck still manages to write in not only a thought-provoking philosophical style (makes sense since he's a philosophy scholar) but in a paranoiac (though not fear-mongering) and terrifyingly human way. The story seems to walk a fine line between being rather humorously dark and almost intentionally presumptuous or convictive in its approach to religion. But I realize he's not being intentionally manipulative in order to indoctrinate, but rather is very much intentionally tapping into (and creatively confronting) an almost universal fear humans have about what we believe is true and, perhaps more importantly, why it's important for humans to question everything—even what we think we're certain of.

I'm really trying, and that will be enough.

I'm wondering about the word choice in the title as the stay was definitely not short, which might be why I am disappointed as I was expecting something different. The number of years our main character, and many others, have to spend in Hell and look for their book with kiosks and food that can be summoned, with time that seems to match our Earth clock.. Is this Hell or Heaven or something in between?? The number of religious references also took me aback, but it might be a good fit for you if you enjoy such concepts and delve deeper into the differences and its philosophy.

I think it wasn't what I expected, which is why I'm underwhelmed and yet overwhelmed XD