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The Divine Comedy

Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso
By Dante Alighieri
Penguin Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri is a classic epic poem that takes readers on a spiritual journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Guided by the Roman poet Virgil and later by Beatrice, the protagonist experiences vivid allegorical representations of the soul's progression towards God. It intertwines themes of morality, salvation, and the poet's personal reflections on his life and the society of his time.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This classic work may appeal to you if you're captivated by epic journeys through mythical realms, rich with allegorical meaning and vivid descriptions. Delve into a fascinating exploration of the afterlife that mixes literary brilliance with philosophical depth, offering insights into the human condition and spiritual growth. Encompassed in this masterpiece are themes of redemption, morality, and the pursuit of divine wisdom.

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Suitable for students as well as the general reader who is coming to the great masterpiece of Italian literature for the first time, this title examines the questions of faith, desire and enlightenment, the poem is nuanced and moving allegory of human redemption.

Informed by a profound belief in the dignity and compassion of humanity, and influenced by the turbulent society of thirteenth-century Italy, Dante's Commedia is one of the most extraordinary visions of sin and redemption in literature.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Robin Kirkpatrick's superb translation of the most famous work of Italian literature, in a one-volume edition.

The Divine Comedy describes Dante's descent into Hell with Virgil as a guide; his ascent of Mount Purgatory and encounter with his dead love, Beatrice; and finally, his arrival in Heaven. Examining questions of faith, desire and enlightenment, the poem is a brilliantly nuanced and moving allegory of human redemption.

This major translation, described by Bernard O'Donoghue as "likely to be the best modern version of Dante", is published here for the first time in a single volume.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Bernard O'Donoghue praises the balance in this modern version of The Divine Comedy, highlighting its tightness and colloquial tone. The Times appreciates Kirkpatrick's nuanced understanding of Italian and the poem's structure. The Guardian commends the fidelity to syntax and nuance and notes the introduction provides a highly readable overview for enhanced appreciation.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141197494

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 29 November 2012

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Robin Kirkpatrick

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 516g

Pages: 752

Collections

Arts & Culture Best Sellers at Book Hero Best Selling Books Classic Poetry Dante Alighieri In Stock Arts & Culture Books In Stock Books New Zealand's Best Selling Books Non-Fiction Penguin Black Classics Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: Arts & Culture Penguin Classics: Poetry Poetry Popular Poetry

About the Author

Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in 1265 and belonged to a noble but impoverished family. His life was divided by political duties and poetry, the most of famous of which was inspired by his meeting with Bice Portinari, whom he called Beatrice,including La Vita Nuova and The Divine Comedy. He died in Ravenna in 1321. Robin Kirkpatrick is a poet and widely-published Dante scholar. He has taught courses on Dante's Divine Comedy in Hong Kong, Dublin, and Cambridge where is Fellow of Robinson College and Professor of Italian and English Literatures.

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