Epeolatry Book Review: Jake’s Guide to Getting Into Hell by Jake Bannerman
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Title: Jake’s Guide to Getting Into Hell
Author: Jake Bannerman
Genre: Dark Humor / Satirical Horror / Religious Satire
Publisher: Independent
Publication date: 4th April, 2025
Synopsis: Jake’s Guide to Getting Into Hell is a ferocious, no-holds-barred guide for those who have rejected the polished dogma of religion and are seeking something more real, raw, and laugh-out-loud funny. Written with blasphemous wit, it tears apart religious conventions and exposes the absurdities of society’s sanctimonious attitudes. The book uses humor and extreme language to make readers question their beliefs, laugh at their own discomfort, and consider what “hell” really is.
In preparing for this review, I took some time to familiarize myself with the current Judeo-Christian landscape. Did you know, according to the Pew Research Center, that approximately 46% of adults born since the year 2000 identify as Christian as opposed to the 80% of adults born before 1949? What does this mean about the state of Christianity? Are young people disillusioned by the state of religious organizations? Are they feeling underrepresented by the elder ruling members? Are 20-somethings just afraid of labels? One thing is for sure, they are probably missing out on some good jokes.
From Jake Bannerman comes Jake’s Guide to Getting Into Hell, a satirical piece with a no holds bar approach to Christianity. Broke down into 24 quick to read chapters, Bannerman covers everything from social norms within the church to double standards of the religious authorities. So come along, reader, as we dive deeper into just what it takes to get into Hell. Content Warning: this novella takes every shot possible at Christianity. You’ve been warned.
The chapters begin with a “Welcome to Hell” message identifying the reader and anyone else who ever questioned the church as those making up Hell’s residential status. From there we move into a Christian’s first indoctrination at baptism, religious teachings, the sacrament of communion, and what is the first of many discussions about sex. The satirical comments seem to be spread over all denominations as comments about baptism focus on the rite with babies, and communion with grape juice.
In the end, Hell is described simply as a place full of individuals who didn’t follow blindly into the church’s teachings. That is until you reach the last chapter. Some of the worst villains in history show up as entertainment for a party Hell is throwing. This is shocking as a reader because, if Hell isn’t a place of punishment, then where did the likes of such vile people go after they died? Where does someone like a mass murderer or serial killer spend eternity if not in Hell?
Jake’s Guide to Getting Into Hell is a satirical look at the current state of organized religion by Jake Bannerman. Those who don’t take themselves too seriously will get a few laughs out of this novella. Those who do, won’t make it halfway through the book.
/5
Available from Amazon.
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Joseph Pietris is a member of the United States Coast Guard by day and heavily involved in the horror community by night. His work has appeared in several anthologies. When not writing, he’s produced reviews and interviews preferring those works generally lost in the cracks. As an associate editor, Joseph has weeding through the submission piles of horror podcasts.
Joseph’s work can be found at Amazon.com: Joseph P. Pietris: books, biography, latest update
