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vforvanessa 's review for:
The Divine Comedy
by Dante Alighieri
What to say about this classic?
Inferno is the most well-known book, full of thoroughly-imagined (and oft-comical) punishments and horrors, often inflicted on unpopular politicians or rivals from Dante's time. (One wonders what a modern Divine Comedy might look like...)
Paradiso, on the other hand, is highly religious and philosophical (and full of goody-two-shoes - stick me in limbo with all the Greek scholars, they seem like much better company), and it's the perfect excuse for our protagonist to wander about staring wide-eyed at a multitude of saints and brightly-shining lights that fill him with happiness and love for God.
That leaves Purgatorio in the middle, the most interesting book as it explores the nature of sin, penitence, and love, and offers a more hopeful vision of what happens to those who don’t walk the straight and narrow path of righteousness.
Overall, a long, often trying, nonetheless rewarding read that is a vivid reflection of its age and a window into the spirit of long-ago Catholicism. (I highly recommend reading a version with footnotes, otherwise you'll miss all the cameos from famous public figures and saints.)
Inferno is the most well-known book, full of thoroughly-imagined (and oft-comical) punishments and horrors, often inflicted on unpopular politicians or rivals from Dante's time. (One wonders what a modern Divine Comedy might look like...)
Paradiso, on the other hand, is highly religious and philosophical (and full of goody-two-shoes - stick me in limbo with all the Greek scholars, they seem like much better company), and it's the perfect excuse for our protagonist to wander about staring wide-eyed at a multitude of saints and brightly-shining lights that fill him with happiness and love for God.
That leaves Purgatorio in the middle, the most interesting book as it explores the nature of sin, penitence, and love, and offers a more hopeful vision of what happens to those who don’t walk the straight and narrow path of righteousness.
Overall, a long, often trying, nonetheless rewarding read that is a vivid reflection of its age and a window into the spirit of long-ago Catholicism. (I highly recommend reading a version with footnotes, otherwise you'll miss all the cameos from famous public figures and saints.)