The Pilgrim - Inferno Redux - Four Point Review

I recently read this interesting book, available at Amazon in ebook and paperback formats. I will give 5 out of 5 stars to the book. Whether you like to read fiction or non-fiction, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to you, as it has a bit of both.

Point1 - Book Summary

On the fateful day of 9/11, the protagonist Roy Aron had to take a long walk from ground zero to his home, due to the chaos and disruptions all around in the city. Lost in his thoughts during the walk, his mind wanders around and comes across nine sins: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, wrath, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. Each of these sins are visualized through its own story. 

After reaching home, he is a changed man who sees this as an indelible lesson for life about the folly of sins. To reinforce the learning, he takes this walk every year on the same day, with the spirit of a pilgrim going on a holy journey. 

 

Point 2 - Organization & Pace

The book gets to the central theme of the nine sins very quickly after the initial introduction. The story of each sin unfolds in its own chapter. The pace of the story is like a whodunit detective novel, with incidents keep unfolding at a regular pace.

Point 3 - Narration Style

The author has adopted an easy to read storytelling narration style for the book with the protagonist being involved in most of the stories in some way of other. At times there is a story inside story (recursive stories?) to make it more interesting. The language is kept free of unnecessary embellishments to give the book a contemporary feel. I felt hooked to the book after reading the first few pages and the interest was maintained throughout the book. 

Point 4 - What I Liked Most

The author has very effectively painted the picture of the grim situation and the mindset of the people after the 9/11 tragedy. I could relate to it as if I myself is in the midst of the situation. Several stories revolve around the life in campus and early job in India and it added a nostalgic touch for me. 

Above all, what makes this book compelling to me is its overarching but subtle message about turning even the extreme crisis to an opportunity for positive reflection and learning, and the wisdom of living a life based on principles, avoiding all sins.