2.79k reviews for:

Helvetet

Dante Alighieri

3.85 AVERAGE

officialvirus's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

chels139's review against another edition

2.0

challenging slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

saartje_luij's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark informative reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

shukalido's review against another edition

3.0

challenging medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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An extremely dense tour de force of Italian history and Christian theological imagination. One would certainly benefit from a robust understanding of classical mythology before venturing into this poem. It is at times startlingly intimate. Kirkpatrick is a phenomenal translator and has done Dante's work justice.

mariasaragoca's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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mid Percy Jackson fanfic /j



the ending chapter was pretty amazing 

riverhind's review against another edition

2.0

challenging dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

joce_reads_books's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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I would definitely recommend Esolen’s translation if you only buy one copy. I also bought the illustrated one with the Longfellow translation for Gustav Dore’s illustrations. This work is dense, has many references to classical and historical figures and takes a while to read. That said, it is well worth the time and effort. I am doing back over the second half to take notes now I have finished my read through. Dante has so many reflective thoughts about the nature of hell, sin and the nature of humanity- too many to add here. 

I think everyone should read it once. And once you do, you’ll want to spend more time in it.

madspal's review against another edition

4.0

challenging informative slow-paced

medievalton's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark emotional funny sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

sea_witch98's review against another edition

4.0

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Dante went from crying over people in hell to kicking them in the head