This is the second title from Eye/Lightning Books I’ve read and I can honestly say that both have been such great and enjoyable reads. I especially enjoyed reading The Hurtle of Hell which I found to be very funny as well as very entertaining.
The Hurtle of Hell is about Stefano (Steven) Cartwright who has an NDA (near death experience) while swimming at the beach. What he sees in a few brief moments while being under is an white tube and an eye – which he believes is the eye of God. Stefano is an atheist who doesn’t particularly care about religion but after this event his perception of religion and God changes. We have one more POV in the book and it’s from God who sees Stefano through his tube and starts wondering how and why that happened. From then on the story continues with Stefano and we see how this experience changed him as well as what God does with this new information.
I tried to provide a synopsis that doesn’t reveal too much so I think that the information you read here is enough before starting The Hurtle of Hell. The book itself is written with style that just flows and makes you read on. The book discusses many themes such as religion and how its perceived, homosexuality as well as the debate between heaven and hell SO keep this in mind if you’re a very religious person because the author does play with the role of God. Being an agnostic myself, I found this book to be very interesting and loved that Edge included God’s perspective in it because it provided something fresh. In this universe God is a somewhat distant being who doesn’t have much knowledge as well as contact with the species in it which is very interesting. As I’ve mentioned before The Hurtle of Hell is very funny and the comedy in it shines through because of the characters.
If you’re someone who loves reading funny books from time to time then look no further because The Hurtle of Hell is the one for you.
I would like to thank the publisher Eye/Lightning Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions written here are my own and weren’t influenced by anything.
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Simon Edge is the author of The Hopkins Conundrum, a tragic comedy about Gerard Manley Hopkins and five shipwrecked nuns, (Lightning Books, 2017) and The Hurtle of Hell, an atheist comedy featuring God and a confused young man from Hackney, (Lightning Books, 2018).
Great review, Nikola. This one probably won’t be for me because of faith issues. However, I enjoyed reading your review and I have learned something new. Never heard of agnostic before now, had to Google it 🙂 Glad you enjoyed reading this book.
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Thank you, Diana. Yeah, I wanted to emphasize that because I’m sure some people will find the ‘playing with the role of God’ an issue. I’m glad you learned the term agnostic hehe 🙂
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Ah so no only does he ‘see the light’ but God really exists in this novel, I was wondering if it would be clear or if the author would keep it unresolved. It sounds like a fun and entertaining read that you don’t have to take too seriously :-). Nice review!
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I really liked that the author included God as a character because it made it more interesting and fun. Thanks, Inge!
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Fab review! I’m always hesitant to pick up books with a religion theme (especially if it involves preaching), since I’m agnostic myself as well… But I might just enjoy this one.
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Thanks Yvo. I think you might enjoy it as well because it doesn’t push religion in your face. It’s such a good one!
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Oh wow this sounds pretty cool! Great review and I’m glad you found it interesting! 😊
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Thanks, Misti!
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