I finished the book over a week ago, but since I immediately travelled to Naples, I couldn't commit on writing a review :D

But here we are. It's not coming as a surprise that I loved the book. And I suppose, many of us have heard the heated discussions in various book spaces surrounding Katabasis. Some of these arguments are in my opinion ... eh, well. I won't talk about them now. BUT I think that some disappointment came from false expectations - which, like, it happens. That's fine.

In my opinion, this book isn't so much of an adventure journey into hell, but more of a deep dive into one, and by some extent two, very difficult character. Yeah, it's a character study, and a story about mistakes and trying your best and healing. I would also say that I could relate a LOOOOT with Alice, because I am working my way through academia myself, and my end goal IS a PhD in research. I could imagine that if one never experienced academic reality, and the toxic structures beneath it, it could get quite hard to relate to the themes of the story. Like, I can completely understand why Alice would go to hell and risk dying to save her dissertation. Such a mood.

Also, keep in mind that the book is set in 1985 (right?) - this HEAVILY influences the characters' morals. I saw some people being upset about some things Alice and Peter said and did, but in this case, you have to keep the morals of that time in mind.

You don't necessarily have to like the characters, but I think you have to have some understanding for them or else you won't enjoy the book at all, because it's so character centric. The same goes for the themes of academic structures, philosophy and morality.

But whoever said that you have to read 10 other books or you won't undertand the book ... That's not true. Would you benefit? Sure, but we all do from reading more. But the book gives you all the information you need to follow the characters' journey and the plot (and there is still a plot which I enjoyed a lot).

And a benefit, before I stop annoying you with my long post: You can entertain an entire table with the paradoxes explained in the book! It's very fun seeing everyone argue about when to drink the wine. Try it, cause some riots!