Beirut Hellfire Society
Rawi Hage
Beirut Hellfire Society opens in war-torn Lebanon with Pavlov, then 16, accompanying his father into the mountains to participate in a bewildering burial ritual. Here we learn of the Hellfire Society.
I appreciated the book and the way the author carried me into the sorrow and anxiety of living in a war-torn country. I would recommend the book to all who are interested in reading another viewpoint on religious rituals and the rigidity of society. A book-club would enjoy this book for the many avenues of discussion that can be followed, from civil war, to religion and atheism to loneliness and despair.
Using humor and sorrow, Beirut Hellfire Society took me on a journey exploring the violence, loneliness, death and life during time of war. Thank you to BookBrowse for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. ( )

A riotous, profane, sensual, philosophical examination of the absurdity of life during a senseless war. This examination of violence and how people respond to death—by either turning towards life or trying to protect themselves against it—contains a great deal of pathos and dark humor. The main character, Pavlov, is driven by a sense of obligation to care for those who in the face of great disapproval and danger continue to live their lives as they choose. It is a marvelous ride, and Hage’s writing hits hard, but it isn’t for anyone who is easily offended or upset by casual violence and sex. ( )

BEIRUT HELLFIRE SOCIETY by Rawi Hage
This tale presents the raw outrage, fear, misery, and indelible sadness of a country at war. The writing is excellent. Unfortunately, it is so filled with sex and depravity that I can not recommend this book. After having to force myself to read past the first few chapters, the book did offer some moments of humor (of the black variety) and the final pages did offer some version of hope after the devastation of hopelessness that war engenders. The feelings of the outcast (religion, societal, employment, mental illness, etc) are clearly shown. I had hoped for a better read.
2 of 5 stars ( )