Rogues in Hell created by Janet Morris, edited by Janet and Chris Morris, with the diabolical assistance of their damnedest writersInto the rich shared world milieu of Morris's In Hell series we are given glimpses into a number of adventures and cruel double-crosses.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was the varied and wild assortment in this rogues gallery, there were quite a few individuals I guess I never expected to see in Hell, among them Mary Shelley, Ben Franklin, Solomon, Wyatt Earp, Frank Hopkins, Bat Masterson, and T.E. Lawrence. Some others I have to admit to not being too surprised about as residents of the netherworld.
Ragnarok and Roll by Larry Atchley, Jr. for example had Anton LaVey (who I don't think is even dead yet) paired with the Red Baron and a pack of Vikings on a hunt for the Spear of Longinus.
Colony by Bruce Durham is among my favorite of the collection and made me smile in that he reminds us a goodly number of friendly Canadians are lingering (see tortured) in Hell as well. They are looking for a mysterious island and led by a very mad Samuel de Champlain (that killed me). Durham joins us with General James Wolfe and things never go as planned. Great tale.
The Miraculous Roadside Attraction by Jack William Finley is another favorite. Elliot Ness finds out why he is in Hell.
Hell Road Truckers by Michael H. Hanson has Odysseus (who I had never before pictured as belong in Hades) taking the dangerous Tartarosian road with Hell's frieght. Meanwhile Achilles and Hektor continue to duel. I never would have guessed Hektor deserved to be there. Very entertaining.
If Necessary by Bradley H. Sinor is an excellent ride with one my of my favorite writers Hunter S. Thompson, Richard Burton (the magnificent explorer [neither of whom I think deserve this fate]) and Lillian Hellman of whom I am rather neutral on and Caligula who definitely deserves it all along in a maddening road trip.
Overall a great eclectic collection sure to please the reader looking for new vistas on the damned.
9 comments:
Thanks for the great review and extremely kind words on my story, David. Warms this Canuck heart...
I've always figured I would enjoy these "hell" books but so far I haven't read any. I guess they started coming out when I was moving away from reading a lot of short stories.
You are very welcome Bruce, I enjoy your stories a lot.
Charles, this was my first foray into them as well. I have no doubt that Janet and the gang have a ball writing these.
David,
Thanks for your perceptive review. Our premise for entry into hell is that there are actually 613 Commandments (this is a true number), and nearly anyone who has done anything at all significant has broken a few. Given that requirement, we have many choices and have only scratched the surface of the fun to be had in hell... Janet Morris
Thanks Janet, this is a great premise and a lot of fun to read.
Thanks for an awesome review of the anthology, and for mentioning my story. By the way, Anton LaVey was reported officially dead in October 1997. Any posthumous sightings of him are likely His Satanic Majesty's doing in order to keep his followers on earth guessing.
Wow my bad Larry, I honestly thought he was still kicking (for some diabolical reason). Your tale was also my favorite title!
Thanks. Glad you liked the story.
Jack william Finley
You're welcome Jack, I enjoyed your story a lot.
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