Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy" Trilogy: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso

William C. Nicholas: A great translation, but

Not enough in the introduction beginning each Canto to clarify what is being read. Unless one is really adept at reading Dante it can be a challenge from which one can be easily distracted as one is reading.

No footnotes either to help clarify the extensive history Dante puts into his work, helping to clarify with content who and what he is talking about. This is especially so in the long monologues that talk about the history of Italy and its city-states at Dante's time.

Would have preferred Dore's illustrations to whoever's were included in this edition. Very amateurish.

Over all, I'll be keeping this one on my shelf.

United States on May 27, 2023

Larry D. Marshall: As I just received this book (Amazon doesn't seem to understand that reading takes time) I haven't read it yet, but the book itself is outstanding.

Canada on Mar 31, 2023

kwb: I recommend this be read with annotations and a reliable and knowledgeable theologian - online or in person. Personally used to great benefit both the Hillsdale course and The Great Courses class.

United States on Mar 05, 2023

Mark: Good price

United States on Feb 11, 2023

Maine Reader: I am not familiar with other translations so I can't compare this book on that basis. I can say I am reading it along with the three book series, Spiritual Direction from Dante, by Pearson. He has three volumes for the inferno, purgatory and paradise which prints each canto and then gives information and guides both historical and spiritual so it is a nice 'tour guide' for us, as Virgil is for Dante. The Divine Comedy hardcover is beautifully done, it is nice paper, sturdy hardcover and a beautiful jacket on the hardcover, none of that cheap feeling waxy paperback feel of a lot of new books now. It is an old fashioned classy looking hardcover and the text seems like a very good translation.

United States on Apr 17, 2022

Gabriel Silva Da CostaGabriel Silva Da Costa: É um ótimo livro, só estou dando quatro estrelas porque o trabalho da transportadora não foi o melhor, aceitável, porém deixa a desejar.

Brazil on Apr 15, 2022

bugleman PowTown: I liked the fact that you could actually read the Cantos and the notes after each were very helpful.

Canada on Jan 06, 2022

Sue Drott: Mandelbaum’s translation is clear and poetical. The ‘Divine Comedy’ is essential reading for understanding Western literature and ideas about morality.

United Kingdom on Sep 12, 2021

Niharika SharmaNiharika Sharma: It's a beautiful edition, totally worth the cost. I loved the illustrations in the book and this translation can be understood by anyone. Even though I am a literature geek but, this very translation is by far the easiest to articulate. The edges of the book were a little bent but, it did not really bother me. Coming to the poem, I don't think I have to elucidate on the beauty of Dante's depiction of hell. It's one of the best written epics and if you love reading epic poems, Dante's Divine Comedy will prove to meet your expectations.

India on Mar 16, 2020

KF: The book is great! I am not that familiar with Dante and I generally don't read this type of book, but I became interested in the story after listening to Tangerine Dream's CDs based on the book. The translation is done so well that it reads almost like a regular book even though you are reading Cantos as each chapter. The book also has a little explanation of what you are about to read in each Canto that helps prepare you. There is also a notes section in the back for each Canto that explains all of the terms and meanings in each Canto. I would recommend reading each Canto and then reading the note sections after you finish each one. The story is quite complex and It is amazing the amount of work that went into it. There are a lot of political references and other references to people, places, etc. that were during Dante's time, so it is often hard to understand what he is writing about without reading the notes. Dante comes up with a wide range of twisted and grotesque punishments with a lot of symbolism. I bought a book of The Dore Illustrations to go along with the book that help with visualizing some of it. I also recommend reading the Wikipedia pages online for the Comedy....

United States on Apr 02, 2015