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cptobies's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
theravaada's review against another edition
4.0
Ne la corte del cielo, ond' io rivegno,
si trovan molte gioie care e belle
tanto che non si posson trar del regno;
e 'l canto di quei lumi era di quelle;
chi non s'impenna sì che là sù voli,
dal muto aspetti quindi le novelle.
― X, 70-75.
si trovan molte gioie care e belle
tanto che non si posson trar del regno;
e 'l canto di quei lumi era di quelle;
chi non s'impenna sì che là sù voli,
dal muto aspetti quindi le novelle.
― X, 70-75.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
3.0
I have now made the journey to Hell and back and up to Paradise with Dante. Just finished the last volume of Dorothy L Sayers' translation of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. This is a beautiful journey that takes the soul from the confrontation of sin (Hell) to remorse, repentance, and penance for sin (Purgatory) to absence of sin and ability to enter into the divine presence (Paradise). This final installment of the Comedy was both a quicker read and a bit of a disappointment. There were long bits that just didn't seem to fit in with Paradise. There is a long diatribe against the sins of popes and priests who are leading souls astray that would seem better fit to Hell or even Purgatory. At this point, we should all be fitted for heaven...otherwise why are we here? We really shouldn't be dwelling on sin. The explanation of the various divisions of Heaven is rather interesting (although, I'm still trying to get my head around the idea that everybody is in the same Heaven, but not....). The descriptions of Heaven and the saints and angels are very beautiful. I wish there had been more of that.
I will say that Dante's journey through Heaven as an allegory for the soul's attempts to fully understand the divine and be prepared to stand in the divine's presence is well done. I'm not saying I believe every bit of it and that Dante has me converted to every precept. But he has done his job well. Three and 3/4 stars out of five (almost four--if I could just throw out those long bits...).
This review was previously posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
I will say that Dante's journey through Heaven as an allegory for the soul's attempts to fully understand the divine and be prepared to stand in the divine's presence is well done. I'm not saying I believe every bit of it and that Dante has me converted to every precept. But he has done his job well. Three and 3/4 stars out of five (almost four--if I could just throw out those long bits...).
This review was previously posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
bangsthetics's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ililly2003's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
steveatwaywords's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was happy to have joined Baylor University's 100 Days of Dante challenge to complete the reading of the Commedia: I fear I may never have read past the much-read Inferno without it.
But my understanding of that famous first volume is forever changed by completing the full work. Yes, Paradiso succumbed to some of my concerns that the 'sensation' might be stalled in an unending cycle of 'adjectives glorioso.' How could it be else? On the other hand, what questions and challenges on the nature of fate, justice, faith, and the like which I raised through the reading of the first two volumes Dante ultimately addresses, not always with satisfactory answers, but with artful use of metaphors and arguments which explain why this satisfaction cannot be found. Readers would do well to approach this final volume as an argument, perhaps, an opportunity--despite the Florentine politics which continues even in Heaven itself--to reflect upon the nature of Creation, of our behavior and motivation for it, of some of the best that the Church might offer its flock, and why and how it might stumble.
Inferno is a prelude, a premise, to this realization, not merely a speculation upon what happens to sinners.
In addition, while the Mandelbaum translation is not always recommended, I found its poetry more evocative than other translators, and his extensive notes and discussions of process are enlightening.
But my understanding of that famous first volume is forever changed by completing the full work. Yes, Paradiso succumbed to some of my concerns that the 'sensation' might be stalled in an unending cycle of 'adjectives glorioso.' How could it be else? On the other hand, what questions and challenges on the nature of fate, justice, faith, and the like which I raised through the reading of the first two volumes Dante ultimately addresses, not always with satisfactory answers, but with artful use of metaphors and arguments which explain why this satisfaction cannot be found. Readers would do well to approach this final volume as an argument, perhaps, an opportunity--despite the Florentine politics which continues even in Heaven itself--to reflect upon the nature of Creation, of our behavior and motivation for it, of some of the best that the Church might offer its flock, and why and how it might stumble.
Inferno is a prelude, a premise, to this realization, not merely a speculation upon what happens to sinners.
In addition, while the Mandelbaum translation is not always recommended, I found its poetry more evocative than other translators, and his extensive notes and discussions of process are enlightening.