mystmuse 's review for:

The Inferno by Dante Alighieri

4.0

challenging dark emotional informative tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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My rating is moreso based on the translation and format of this edition of the book than the actual story of The Inferno. I found this version incredibly useful and easily digestible as someone who had never really encountered Dante's work before. I found the preface to provide ample information to better place the work in its historical context, and the format of each Canto wherein you had a summary of the events, the Canto itself, and then additional contextual notes to be extremely effective at not only conveying the story itself, but also the context it was created in AND the lesson it was trying to impart on the reader. I would recommend this for anyone with a passing understanding of the classics who wishes to understand more about medieval texts like The Inferno.