The Divine Comedy (The Inferno, The Purgatorio, and The Paradiso)

So we think we mostly know the story but rarely does one know the whole story without muscling your way through the read. This is dense, long term, situational reading. The whole story includes the ubiquitous `Inferno' plus the far less known `Pugatorio' and `Paradiso'. Ciardi's deeply footnoted version, I'm certain, to a 100% probability, must contain at least 1 error of some relevance to some reader, but it's certainly adequate and far more curious than my previous reads. Every reader draws his own conclusions and opinions and they are probably all correct. In the context of John Ciardi's translation, it cannot be overstated how meticulous this translation actually is. The Divine Comedy is the `first of its kind' exposition of the Tuscan dialect that much later emerges as the consolidated `Italian' language. Dante's syntax, meanings and nearly everything linguistic are 21st century translationally imputed into this `first of its kind'. The debates for perfection can never be ended. So, opinions? ... here's mine ... The `Divine Comedy' is a relentless satirical, pseudo-theological exposition of super-epic length. Context and setting are everything. The 14th Century was perhaps the single most catastrophic century for historical Western humankind and so Dante relates his world as an observer to the human cataclysm erupting all around him day after stinking day. A first-time read of Dante ... without some historical perspective on time and place, will leave the reader confused and inevitably horribly bored. That Dante skewers his living `enemies' in some level of damnation's treadmill is the `commedia'. I might suggest this historical pre-read A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century Some imagine there's theology here. Some even imagine Christianity might be defined here. That notion is unfortunately absurd and very unfortunately plays into some readers mind as `Christian' to confuse scriptural vs the imaginings of Dante's fantasy. Is Christianity defined by Tom Hanks in the DaVinci Code? Of course not. Dante's epic here is nightmare scary stuff intended to keep people awake at night ... an afterlife of eternally walking the treadmill to 'paradiso' is grim indeed. A chance error of Dante's perception of sin here or there and the treadmill of damnation-to-paradise is right there to snatch you. It's fun but it's not Christianity. John Ciardi's annotation makes this translation entertaining. You will wear out Wikipedia searching for the story of the devilishly tormented and transitionally divine characters. These are generally obscure folks of no otherwise historical note then to be mentioned by Dante. Hypocrisy reigns supreme and the fundamental answers to the great 'unknowns' of the faith are dreamed up by Dante Alighieri and rendered here by Ciardi. Enjoy the show!

I am grateful for all the comments and explanations that go together with each canto. It's a genius work, but sometimes hard to understand for an amateur.

Having the full collection of The Divine Comedy in an accountable sized book is wonderful. The cover is class, it came with no damage and in perfect shape. I have been happily with having a physical copy to take with me to read when I do leave the house ...and for the price, literally can't beat it.

This is my favorite translation. I lost my original copy a long time ago and have picked up several alternative translations And did not find him enjoyable. I have finally broken down and were you order this. If you do not have problems with a very short attention span, I can highly recommend this book. I think that you might enjoy it almost as much as I have.

Book came with 200 pages bent. Excited to read, just hope Amazon can send a better copy.

Hands down the best translation for poetic flow. Excellent notes explain all the people that Dante refers to in the book.

Very good and somewhat mysterious book so far. Definitely keeps your attention. Once you start reading it’s very hard to put down.

Amazing book, I love the translation! I have read other versions and this one expresses differently, in such a way that I disliked the book before, but in this version I am fully invested.

Now I know the appeal this work holds. It's so good that now I want to read it in its original language and also in Spanish.

Bought this for the Missus as she had always wanted to read The Divine Comedy. I got this copy as everyone recommended it as a more realistic translation as opposed to others that are translated literally from the original language it was written in. Having spoken to her indoors, it would appear that the reviews were correct and this is indeed a much better translation to read and makes quite a bit more sense than others.

Great

Ce livre est un classique qui normalement ne se lit pas simplement en un jour, les textes sont bien complexes et très réfléchis. Pour les fans qui aiment décortiquer les mots, les phrases et les métaphores complexes ceci est ce que vous cherchez!

I have been wanting to read The Divine Comedy for a long time, so I’m glad I finally got my hands on it. My brain is going to be massive by the time I’m finished reading this.