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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I deeply respect this work and it would be impossible to deny how much it has influenced literature and art in general (especially religious/biblical art). The imagery is so beautiful and haunting and the atmosphere,as well as the emotions that it evoked at times were chilling. However,on a pure enjoyment level the novel definitely lost momentum after Inferno and it got repetitive very quickly. That being said I'm still very glad to have read this.
Side note: I love being told that I will burn in hell alongside murderes 🥰🥰
Side note: I love being told that I will burn in hell alongside murderes 🥰🥰
Just putting it away for a while. Will try again later :)
adventurous
slow-paced
Inferno was fun--I see why this was such a hit back in the day. Purgatorio and Paradiso were dull, though.
Read a very dull Dutch translation, I bet it would've been more interesting if I could have read it in Italian. Might pick this up again someday in English...
I know John Ciardi has gotten some criticism for taking certain creative libteries with Dante's original text, but as Robert Frost said, "Poetry is what gets lost in translation." I do not speak Italian and probably never will in my lifetime, but I still wanted to experience the incredible piece of literature that is The Divine Comedy. That said, being an English speaker, I immensely enjoyed and appreciated this translation. Ciardi gives lengthy explanations as to how he attempted to recreate the poetry of Dante's text as well as preserve the original intent, which I believe he was able to do. Further, each Canto begins with a brief summary of what is going on, and ends with extensive notes on who the political figures were, other literary works that were referenced, places in Italy, etc. I really do believe that this translation goes above and beyond helping the 21st-century English-speaking reader to fully appreciate Dante's masterpiece. Now, as to the work itself, I really feel that there is nothing I can add to this work's stellar reputation. I will say, however, that I found it enchanting, beautiful, and thought-provoking at every turn. 895 pages later, the journey through The Divine Comedy was well worth every hour.
This book...
Well alright. Of course for all the people who read almost as if it's for their health- are all gonna end up with some pretty crazy weird books with crazier weird things inside.
This...
This book probably get's like number three in the top ten "strangest books in perspective"
yeah I could go on about how this large poem just blew my mind about how interesting it was and how it was soo good (which alright in fact, it was) but that's cutting around the bush when in all honesty-
Crap, this book was pretty freaking creepy.
Well alright. Of course for all the people who read almost as if it's for their health- are all gonna end up with some pretty crazy weird books with crazier weird things inside.
This...
This book probably get's like number three in the top ten "strangest books in perspective"
yeah I could go on about how this large poem just blew my mind about how interesting it was and how it was soo good (which alright in fact, it was) but that's cutting around the bush when in all honesty-
Crap, this book was pretty freaking creepy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
a whole extra star because of Gustave Doré's mind-blowing illustrations.
The Hell was my favourite part, after that I lost my ability to concentrate.
The Hell was my favourite part, after that I lost my ability to concentrate.
I’m due for a reread but this is a classic for a reason!