The Infernova
Contents:
Not being a formal student of literature, I found myself impressed with the creativity demonstrated by Alenthony. At times there seems to have been license taken for the sake of form, but I suspect the same would have been said by Dante's contemporaries. Having heard the most common arguments against the existence of deities and in favor of a rational worldview countless times, I was thrilled to discover this insightful, humorous approach to the denouncing of religious misdeeds.
Infernova isn't just another scientific or philosophical rebuttal of theism, but a satisfying portrayal of clever and appropriate punishment of those guilty of real crimes against humanity. In The Infernova , Alenthony does tackle the moral and ethical implications of both the crimes and the punishments, and in doing so rejects the uniquely religious notion that anyone ever deserves eternal misery. This enlightening of morality to reflect higher thinking is apparent throughout the story.
I highly recommend this book as a welcome departure from the increasingly mundane mainstream assault on irrationality. It was quite entertaining and a very pleasant read.
Editorial Reviews
I'm not often inclined to end a book, then start immediately again, but that's the case here. Now where did I put that hammock Read an excerpt Buy on Amazon The author's blog. The author currently resides here in Minnesota, for what that's worth, having left behind the bible belt to the bible thumpers. Here's the blurb from the email: Dante Alighieri's magnificent Inferno has ruled for centuries as literature's most imaginative depiction of the fates of the damned. As a masterwork of allegorical fantasy, it stands unequaled. As a survey of the true causes of human misery, it fails utterly, built as it was upon a medieval religious worldview divorced from reality.
Alenthony's The Infernova is the new book that rectifies this error by turning the classic vision of the Christian hell upside-down.
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Retelling the poem from an atheist's perspective, the story parallels Dante's descent through nine infamous circles where increasingly pernicious sinners endure their symbolic punishments. The upper circles house the minor offenders: The middle levels incarcerate those who preyed upon-and profited from-irrationality: I can't say enough good about this book. I can provide a niggling, trivial criticism about how a section in the center third flags just a bit, getting bogged down as it does in perhaps overuse of manure as a metaphor for nonsense. But there is so much to appreciate in this accessible, fun volume that any criticism seems like a mere quibble in the face of the overall accomplishment.
And I was pleased to see C. Lewis dealt with, but not too harshly, for I, like Alenthony, suspect Lewis to have been a decent and sincere man who let his emotions override his reason and carry him away from otherwise crystalline thought. One warning--something I noticed from going from "Infernova" to a regular prose book as I read over the weekend: After about an hour or so reading Alenthony's wicked and apt verse, the prose work seemed especially If you just can't be bothered to read an epic poem, at least spend a little time with Alenthony's introduction, which is poignant, strong, telling, and accessible.
That said, this is simply a damn fine book!
The poetry is absolutely divine oops, sorry! If one is already familiar with Dante Alighieri, there's even more to like about this book; but it isn't necessary. However, if you've gotten this far in the review, I'd say read Dante, then read Alenthony. I'm not a paid spokesperson. I am a practicing Catholic and Dante fan who thoroughly enjoyed this book. The substitution of Mark Twain for Virgil is a nice touch, and the imitation of the terza rima in English verse is a real achievement.
I would point out, however, that in some respects Mr Alenthony's point of view is not that different from that of Dante, both are strict moralists, and like Alenthony Dante places many religious leaders, pope, bishops and other clergy in hell. But Dante didn't simply create an Inferno.
The Infernova - S. A. Alenthony - Google Книги
He also created a Purgatorio and a Paradiso, which may even be greater works than the Inferno. However, I wonder if Mr Alenthony's creation of an Inferno is something of a cop out. After all there can be no hell for atheists to believe in. The fate of Hitler and Ann Frank are exactly the same, an unpleasant death.
There is no place for retribution, and I wonder if there can be any definitive definition of evil. It may just be that Stalin and I have different opinions and his murder of millions is simply a logical consequence of his belief system. It is possible that, for instance, Radical Islam will triumph over the West on the basis of sheer demographics, and then who is to say that their belief is evil? Dostoevsky may be right when one of his characters in The Brothers Karamazov states that if there is no God all is permitted. Anyway, to get back to Mr Alenthony's poem. I recommend it to any admirer of Dante.
I think that the satire is well thought out but respectful. He has obviously studied the Master and he has put his study to excellent use. This is a fantastic bit of satirical epic poetry by a very gifted writer. The book is written in rhyming verse, which may scare some readers, but having personally read very little epic poetry prior to this, I did not find it difficult in the slightest.
It is a satire of Dante's Inferno, written within an atheist worldview - instead of homosexuals and adulterers in this symbolic hell, it is populated with scam artists, televangelists, and those who use religion to exploit the intellect of others.
The Infernova
Alenthony makes it clear that the story is a symbolic dream from a computerized future - he does not create a true "hell" of eternal suffering for real people, for such a concept is barbaric and outrageous. I thought the literary quality of the writing was brilliant. The verse and rhyme scheme was authentic and clean. With the possible exception of literally only 1 or 2 spots out of thousands, I never felt like the rhyming was forced or contrived - it flowed seemlessly like a Homerian epic.
Again, I genuinely thought the story was brilliant parody and satire. Alenthony constructs a clever structure for his 9-level hell, starting first with those guilty of crimes of the intellect, and slowly descending no pun intended from there.
The Infernova Reviewed By Chris Phillips Of Bookpleasures.com
The punishments devised for each type of crime were clever and sharp, perfectly matching the crimes in symbolism. For instance, the shades of those who propound conspiracy theories are forced to endure becoming pulp in a paper mill, their bodies becoming the tabloids they used to publish and circulate.
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For those sorts of readers, this book comes highly recommended. Some of the attacks on theology are oversimplified, and some of the theological characters in the book are, at best, parodies of the original, but the book is epic poetry, not biography. It's purpose is to entertain while educating. The book is not a polemic against religion.
Freethinkers Coffee Social October 07 , Published on January 14, It was quite entertaining and a very pleasant read. Incidentally, Alenthony chose this more rigorous route because it was the exact pattern that Dante followed, even though most translations of The Inferno rhyme only the first and third lines of each stanza. Here's the blurb from the email: Not every reader will agree with all the ideologies, but within the frame of reference of an atheist worldview, I thought it was excellent. Most recent customer reviews.
Rather, it is an apologetic for rationalism, science, and intellectual honesty. In the end, I really thought it was a fantastic book. Not every reader will agree with all the ideologies, but within the frame of reference of an atheist worldview, I thought it was excellent. The writing was truly and legitimately brilliant from a literary standpoint, the structure and development was clever, and the symbolism and "message" was clear and poignant.
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