The Divine Comedy
Books | Fiction / Classics
4.3
(2.4K)
Dante Alighieri
Dante’s Divine Comedy relates the allegorical tale of the poet’s journey through the three realms of the dead. Accompanied through the Inferno and Purgatory by Virgil--author of the Roman epic the Aeniad--Dante encounters mythical, historical, and contemporaneous figures in their respective afterlives. Relying on classical (pagan) mythology and Christian imagery and theology, Dante imagines diverse vivid and inventive punishments for the various sinners he encounters, which have become part of the Western imagination. Upon their approach to Paradise, which as a pagan, no matter how worthy, the Latin poet cannot enter, Virgil relinquishes his role as guide to Beatrice. Dante's chaste beloved then accompanies him along the ascent, as they encounter the blessed and the holy, and Dante arrives at a vision of the heavenly paradise.
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Author
Dante Alighieri
Pages
656
Publisher
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published Date
2013-05-14
ISBN
0307823733 9780307823731
Community ReviewsSee all
"A must. "
TheGingerGirl455
"My boy Dante really did write revenge fanfiction with himself as a Mary Sue and got famous. What a power move."
Red Reads
"A must-read!! Alighieri once described the goal of this epic to be “life-changing” and it lived up to its goal, imo. Beautifully illustrates the Catholic Catechism while also brutally criticizing the institution of the Church. Inferno is usually the most popular volume, but Purgatorio is also a must-read. Paradiso is when things get hairy, but it makes sense since it’s dealing with otherworldly topics. Make sure to find a good translation: it makes it or breaks it!"
Shantalle 🥰
"Most powerful book I’ve ever read, the symbolism in this story is phenomenal, also first book I’ve ever gotten nightmares from, like the weird ones where your teeth fall out 🤢 I read the one from Barnes and Noble classics with the illustrations, loved them.But a little confusing with the old literature language.4.5/5"
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Liam Hansen
"I really wish I knew who all Dante is throwing so much shade on. Unfortunately, my knowledge of the early 14th century Tuscan social scene is surface at best. Black Guelphs, White Guelphs, clergy... #CantWeAllJustGetAlong"
Bridget Anne
"This edition published by Everyman’s Library has a plus of a good enjoyable translation not only as a starter but one that you can take around wherever you go and keep as a go to translation that’s very readable. The back has historical references and a glossary to help with reading comprehension . Once your engaged the reading comprehension becomes like a good cross word puzzle. Can’t recommend it enough. "
Michael Caison
"Not gonna lie, you'll feel conflicted about liking how Dante writes Hell better than Heaven. Also, this book personifies petty revenge in more ways than one - Dante is one salty drama queen, and wrote this in spite. Knowing that makes the celebrity cameos (of the time) way funnier, so be on the lookout! "
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Candice A.
"Great read. A brilliant masterpiece."
Megan Pickering
"The only good joke is found in the Inferno. This is a must for humanist everywhere, and those who are interested in taking a detour into the ideas of the ancient world. Depending on the tanslation you find you’ll be either driven to continue or find yourself wandering in existential quedtions about free will and the nature of sin. Take your time with this one, its 100 chapters of detailed spaces and obscure historical/literary references."
Carlos José Cabello