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penguin_emperor_of_the_north's review against another edition
5.0
I decided I would like this book before I started it. It was written in 1300-something and it's still read today? I just wanted to understand it and the fact that it's a classic of Catholic literature and that I've heard a number of people I respect recommend it. All reasons to read it.
First off, I'm really glad for all of the notes in the back providing context both on who Dante's talking to or seeing and the context of why that person or mythological figure is in Hell in that circle because Dante usually assumes that the reader is familiar with Greek myth and medieval Florence's politics.
One thing that really stuck with me was the opening poem inscribed over the gate to Hell. The 'Abandon all hope, you who enter here.' is well known but the line 'Justice caused my high architect to move. Divine omnipotence created me" is the one that stuck with me. Because it sets the tone for the rest of the poem that the sufferings in Hell are the result of justice. And, especially when Dante and Virgil get into the lower levels of Hell, like the realm of traitors, Virgil gets more and more impatient with any sympathy shown to the damned. 'Are you more merciful than God?' indeed.
And, if someone is going to complain that Dante is sick for the punishments described in the Inferno, the least they could do is read Purgatorio and Paradiso to get the other side of the coin.
First off, I'm really glad for all of the notes in the back providing context both on who Dante's talking to or seeing and the context of why that person or mythological figure is in Hell in that circle because Dante usually assumes that the reader is familiar with Greek myth and medieval Florence's politics.
One thing that really stuck with me was the opening poem inscribed over the gate to Hell. The 'Abandon all hope, you who enter here.' is well known but the line 'Justice caused my high architect to move. Divine omnipotence created me" is the one that stuck with me. Because it sets the tone for the rest of the poem that the sufferings in Hell are the result of justice. And, especially when Dante and Virgil get into the lower levels of Hell, like the realm of traitors, Virgil gets more and more impatient with any sympathy shown to the damned. 'Are you more merciful than God?' indeed.
And, if someone is going to complain that Dante is sick for the punishments described in the Inferno, the least they could do is read Purgatorio and Paradiso to get the other side of the coin.
jjankunas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
lovely_lisaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
p_t_b's review against another edition
5.0
sometimes i put this audiobook on really loud while i'm cleaning the house or taking a shower, just to get my human suit on for the day
elaineb_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book for a college course in Ancient and medieval classics.
bonesbones90's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
spenkevich's review against another edition
If you are down with Dante please just check out our friend TomLA’s great video series on this classic.
blutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
INFERNO
Dante Alighieri
[*****] 5 Stars.
The Divine Comedy tells us about the character Dante and his journey through Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso in the course of the three final days of Easter.
The Divine Comedy is an allegory to the author Dante and his political and love life; a journey of the soul.
Thanks to his political allegiance he was exiled from his country. He also regretted the lost opportunity at love with an acquaintance of his younger days.
His mayor influence in written works —Virgilio— is his guide throughout the story and his lovely maiden —Beatrice— his muse. Many important personalities of the time make an appearance.
Character Dante goes through a spiritual journey to find that what he lost. Author Dante uses his words to try to redeem himself from the decadent state he found himself in at the latter stages of his life while presenting us with his own vision of the society of the time.
First he needed to acknowledge his sins, then purify his self and finally be reborn as a new being. Inferno itself is the first part of that process and it's beautifully done in embellished verse form.
I was recommended this by my Literature teacher back in the time and read it in Spanish (my native language) with annotations in italian (the language of the original work). Then I had to actually reread and analyze it for my Global Literature class the following year. I became obsessed and somehow managed to fell more deeply in love with it. This book is a brilliant work of art and everyone should read it.
Dante Alighieri
[*****] 5 Stars.
The Divine Comedy tells us about the character Dante and his journey through Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso in the course of the three final days of Easter.
The Divine Comedy is an allegory to the author Dante and his political and love life; a journey of the soul.
Thanks to his political allegiance he was exiled from his country. He also regretted the lost opportunity at love with an acquaintance of his younger days.
His mayor influence in written works —Virgilio— is his guide throughout the story and his lovely maiden —Beatrice— his muse. Many important personalities of the time make an appearance.
Character Dante goes through a spiritual journey to find that what he lost. Author Dante uses his words to try to redeem himself from the decadent state he found himself in at the latter stages of his life while presenting us with his own vision of the society of the time.
First he needed to acknowledge his sins, then purify his self and finally be reborn as a new being. Inferno itself is the first part of that process and it's beautifully done in embellished verse form.
I was recommended this by my Literature teacher back in the time and read it in Spanish (my native language) with annotations in italian (the language of the original work). Then I had to actually reread and analyze it for my Global Literature class the following year. I became obsessed and somehow managed to fell more deeply in love with it. This book is a brilliant work of art and everyone should read it.