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Notes on a Colonial Situation in Hell
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Notes on a Colonial Situation in Hell by Robert G. Penner
There is a lot going on here.
The plot narrative follows several characters as they journey within Hell, which here turns out to be located deep underground and physically accessible by a shaft from the northwest of England. (Reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burrough’s Pelucidar series?)
Since this discovery is made at the height of colonial expansion during the Victorian Age, the British government establishes a colony on the outer edge, and this provides an opportunity to criticize the impact of colonialism, not only upon the native inhabitants but also upon the colonists as well: wives and young indentured female servants, workers and farmers, soldiers and missionaries, bureaucrats and businessmen, all struggling to survive and achieve their goals in a difficult and dangerous world.
Since this is Hell, the natives are demons, which come in many different shapes and sizes, and they steadfastly refuse to communicate with the humans. Which gives an especially ironic meaning to ‘demonizing the other.’
The shifting points of view and bizarre underworld, which is influenced by medieval iconography and writings (including Dante), do create an atmosphere of horror in a distractingly confusing tapestry, but they allow plenty of opportunity for satire, particularly directed at exploitation. Unsurprisingly, those who are exploited are too often ready to exploit those over whom they too have power, particularly women.
This is a sobering post-colonial and feminist vision that reveals how a colony moves from a paternalistic system, which peacefully co-exists with the original inhabitants, to a more destructive and exploitive capitalism, which is intolerant of dissent and violent in its retaliations against resistance.
Strongly recommended.
There is a lot going on here.
The plot narrative follows several characters as they journey within Hell, which here turns out to be located deep underground and physically accessible by a shaft from the northwest of England. (Reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burrough’s Pelucidar series?)
Since this discovery is made at the height of colonial expansion during the Victorian Age, the British government establishes a colony on the outer edge, and this provides an opportunity to criticize the impact of colonialism, not only upon the native inhabitants but also upon the colonists as well: wives and young indentured female servants, workers and farmers, soldiers and missionaries, bureaucrats and businessmen, all struggling to survive and achieve their goals in a difficult and dangerous world.
Since this is Hell, the natives are demons, which come in many different shapes and sizes, and they steadfastly refuse to communicate with the humans. Which gives an especially ironic meaning to ‘demonizing the other.’
The shifting points of view and bizarre underworld, which is influenced by medieval iconography and writings (including Dante), do create an atmosphere of horror in a distractingly confusing tapestry, but they allow plenty of opportunity for satire, particularly directed at exploitation. Unsurprisingly, those who are exploited are too often ready to exploit those over whom they too have power, particularly women.
This is a sobering post-colonial and feminist vision that reveals how a colony moves from a paternalistic system, which peacefully co-exists with the original inhabitants, to a more destructive and exploitive capitalism, which is intolerant of dissent and violent in its retaliations against resistance.
Strongly recommended.
Review of advance copy
What a strange and wild tale it was. A fantastic concept of a novel. I'm still not even sure what my thoughts truly are other than I enjoyed this moment. I loved the ending, it was perfect.
Received as an ARC.
Received as an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews