{"id":328,"date":"2024-09-10T11:39:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-10T11:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=328"},"modified":"2024-09-10T11:39:00","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T11:39:00","slug":"starred-book-review-welcome-to-the-inferno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=328","title":{"rendered":"STARRED Book Review: Welcome to the Inferno"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong><em>Welcome to the Inferno<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-regular-font-size\">by Daniel Parme<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Genre:<\/strong> General Fiction \/ Satire \/ Restaurant<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>ISBN: <\/strong>9798867605490<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Print Length:<\/strong> 169 pages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-buttons align-button-center orientation-button-row ub-flex-wrap wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4d38jDW\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Buy from Amazon<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ub_advanced_heading wp-block-ub-advanced-heading\"><strong>An explosively funny take on the classic seven deadly sins<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>As a former server with a deep love for people getting their dues and the Food Network, I was eager to dive into the wonderfully niche <em>Welcome to The Inferno<\/em> by Daniel Parme.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This short satire (and possibly horror) novel surpassed all my expectations. A late-year favorite! If you\u2019re looking for a well-crafted, hilarious, and insightful read about the service industry, this book is a must.<\/p>\n<p><em>Welcome to The Inferno<\/em> begins with a young server wrapping up a particularly chaotic double shift at his restaurant and bar. On his way home, he\u2019s assaulted by the very patrons he refused to serve earlier that evening. This unsettling event leads to an even more surreal experience when he awakens to find himself face-to-face with what appears to be the ghost of Anthony Bourdain.<\/p>\n<p><span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>From this bizarre encounter, readers are taken on a darkly comedic and deeply insightful journey through the layers of Hell where the seven deadly sins are explored through the unique lens of the service industry. Guided by Tony (an enigmatic specter from Hell), the protagonist, referred to only as \u201ckid,\u201d navigates a world where the intricacies of the underworld\u2019s restaurant scene are both torturous and political, all within a place aptly named The Inferno.<\/p>\n<p>Parme\u2019s genius lies in his ability to create hilariously specific sins that anyone in the service industry (or anyone who\u2019s dined out) will find all too relatable. From \u201csitting on the same side\u00a0of a table when they are the only two guests seated at said table\u201d in Lust, to \u201cpeople who drink enough\u00a0free refills of Diet Coke to fill an Olympic-sized\u00a0swimming pool\u201d in Gluttony, these infractions add a layer of absurd humor that keeps the reader entertained.<\/p>\n<p>What truly sets this book apart is Parme\u2019s wonderfully descriptive narrative. He paints vivid images of Hell without bogging down the reader with unnecessary details. He crafts a sensory experience that makes you see, feel, taste, and even smell the infernal setting\u2014although readers beware, there\u2019s a lot of human excrement in Hell. Either way, it\u2019s a testament to his skill as a writer.<\/p>\n<p>One of the highlights for me was trying to identify the famous celebrity chefs who inspired the various Guardians of Hell. The depiction of Worm Guy Fieri is unforgettable (and you can\u2019t convince me Tastyville isn\u2019t a playful nod to Flavortown). Hell\u2019s version of Gordon Ramsay is also spot-on, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for foodies and fans of culinary television, and for those who\u2019ve always wanted to scream at a customer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The banter between the protagonist and Tony is another standout feature. Their exchanges are funny, crass, and refreshingly realistic, making the dialogue one of the book\u2019s strongest elements. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times, a testament to Parme\u2019s success in blending humor with his horror.<\/p>\n<p><em>Welcome to The Inferno<\/em> is an absolute delight. It\u2019s a cleverly crafted, darkly comedic romp that offers both entertainment and insight. I can\u2019t wait to read it again and uncover even more hidden details, allegories, and life lessons. Hats off to the chef author\u2014this is one delicious dish.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ub-buttons align-button-center orientation-button-row ub-flex-wrap wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4d38jDW\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Buy from Amazon<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Thank you for reading Melissa Suggitt\u2019s book review of<em> Welcome to the Inferno <\/em>by Daniel Parme! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ub-buttons align-button-center orientation-button-row ub-flex-wrap wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/category\/book-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Book Reviews<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/category\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">IBR Blog<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/writers-only\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\"><span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\"><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Resources for Writers<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/2024\/09\/10\/starred-book-review-welcome-to-the-inferno\/\">STARRED Book Review: Welcome to the Inferno<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/\">Independent Book Review<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the Inferno by Daniel Parme Genre: General Fiction \/ Satire \/ Restaurant ISBN: 9798867605490 Print Length: 169 pages Buy from Amazon Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt An explosively funny take on the classic seven deadly sins As a former server with a deep love for people getting their dues and the Food Network, I [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":329,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=328"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/328\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/329"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}