My Visit to Hell

This by far was one of the greatest novels I have ever come across. Aside from some minor problems the story flowed well and allowed my second read to be even more enjoyable than the first. Now that I have sung the aurthor's praises its time that critic in me make his appearance. First of all when the author discribe his guide Carpurnia(mispelled)by using the phrase BURNT AS CHICKEN I thought it was a little elementary. It's no different then me writing about a white character and calling them as white as snow, its just not senible especially since we live in a time where race can spark instant strife. This is after all a christian publisher the editor should have known better then to let this slip after all it did happen in chapter 1. As a writer I simply would have change the bold discrption with this. Burnt as chicken to (She had the complexion of gloss ebony) Its a little girly but a lot better and less offensive then the first. Spoiler Warning Read At Your Own Risk Secondly when the main character's father contiued to use the word COLORED when refereing to the women who was assisting the main character on his way out of hell, I thought it was nearly as upsetting as the (N-word. The first offense was brush aside but after the dozen or so times it had me up in arms. I almost cast the seasoned writer off as neive. His superior writing skills revived my trust in his novel and thus I contiued to read on without further disappointment. The end was a little confusing but overall the novel was great.

I thoroughly enjoyed My Visit to Hell. I am certain it would not be an enjoyable read for some. Those who think of God as benevolent Grandfather will surly not like the thought of God inflicting eternal pain and suffering. Those who do believe in God and the bible will remember 1 Corinthians 2:9 where we are told we have never seen or heard what God has in store for those who love Him. This book illustrates the other side of the equation. Since I have never seen or heard a first hand account of hell that too is left to the imagination. In My Decent into Hell we are faced with the justice of God and what could be in store for those who reject Him. I would particularly like for my adult children to read the book. As with many 30 somethings they are in the invincible period of their lives. My family and all those busy chasing money and pleasure would do well to remember we are not made for this world. I believe this book could serve as a wake up call. As any Christian knows, we are made for the life to come. How and where we spend eternity is our choice. All in all I see this this book as call to conversion.

My Visit to Hell is an both an entertaining and thought-provoking contemporization of Dante's Inferno. This very-well written novel captures the spirit and flavor of the original but packages them in present day realities. I enjoyed following the protagonist in his descent into hell (appropriately, from cellar way in Atlanta!) and experiencing with him the dizzying awakening of his self-awareness. You don't have to be familiar with Dante or have an interest in religi0us fiction to enjoy this book. It is a good read.

Like Dante's Virgil, Paul serves as guide taking the reader through a layman's understanding of the Inferno. I've read and enjoyed several of Paul's non-fiction books yet I was delightfully surprised at the creative genius in this fictional work. The work includes a perfect marriage of entertaining intrigue with profound spiritual insights. While the reader is reminded of the sober reality of the consequences of choice, the work is not without hope. The message is "heavy" but the delivery is not. Hearts are sure to be examined and lives are sure to be changed by reading this book. I enjoyed reading it on many "levels"! This modern adaptation of Dante's Inferno is a must read!

As the author says in the beginning of this book, descriptions/tales of visits to, and through, hell have been written before, and they'll be written again, so in a way this isn't "new" territory for many of us. However, the roadmap Paul Thigpen gives us here for a spiritual journey is more than just "same-ol' same ol'." Be forewarned: if you pick this book up, you won't want to put it down. Theology as poetry, morality play as thriller...this one has it all. As Thomas Travis moves from one level of hell to the next, he also moves from a jaded, sniggering cynicism to a deep conviction of his own true condition in the eyes of God, and the journey is unforgettable. Some may be offended by this book; I defy anyone to be unaffected by it. By turns lyrical and blunt, outrageous and tender, whimsical and horrifying, this story moves like the wind, takes a reader by the heart and never lets go. Simply fabulous!