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A review by vhindy
The Divine Comedy: The Inferno, the Purgatorio, and the Paradiso by Dante Alighieri
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is easily the most challenging read of my life but that being said, I’m glad I made it through and I think I would like to revisit it again in the future.
The Inferno is a the famous one which I can see why but I found that Purgatorio was my favorite. Paradiso is was a bit too dense for me and I think an easier translation would do me wonders when I revisit.
I think this is a book that should be read in a group setting or with discussion but I’d challenge anyone to find a translation that’s readable and give it a try. It’s grand and I think contains many truths about the nature of the Divine and how it relates to men, even if you don’t hold the strictly Catholic view. Give it a try at least one time
Ratings by story:
Inferno: 4.25/5 - Really good imagery but need notes to understand the historical & mythological beings as well as the Florentine Politics of the time
Purgatorio: 4.5/5 - I found this to be so profound and it’s where I came to really love the characters of Dante & Virgil. Near the end whereVirgil disappears was the most moving and profound part of the story for me. This one should get more hype than it does.
Paradiso: 3/5 - This one was a bit too dense and I’d like to revisit with an easier translation. Lots of symbolism and I think is where it becomes the most Catholic to me. I love how he ended it.God’s grace and greatness is too much for a mere mortal mind to comprehend, he only knows that his soul is forever changed by what he experienced and he yearns for his return to bask in His glory.
One nitpick I didn’t love how thecharacter of Beatrice was presented in Heaven. I just didn’t feel the attachment I thought I would but Dante’s ending words to her were sweet. Maybe I need to read La Vita Nuova to more fully understand her.
The Inferno is a the famous one which I can see why but I found that Purgatorio was my favorite. Paradiso is was a bit too dense for me and I think an easier translation would do me wonders when I revisit.
I think this is a book that should be read in a group setting or with discussion but I’d challenge anyone to find a translation that’s readable and give it a try. It’s grand and I think contains many truths about the nature of the Divine and how it relates to men, even if you don’t hold the strictly Catholic view. Give it a try at least one time
Ratings by story:
Inferno: 4.25/5 - Really good imagery but need notes to understand the historical & mythological beings as well as the Florentine Politics of the time
Purgatorio: 4.5/5 - I found this to be so profound and it’s where I came to really love the characters of Dante & Virgil. Near the end where
Paradiso: 3/5 - This one was a bit too dense and I’d like to revisit with an easier translation. Lots of symbolism and I think is where it becomes the most Catholic to me. I love how he ended it.
One nitpick I didn’t love how the