Inferno: The Longfellow Translation [Paperback]

Dante (Author), Matthew Pearl (Editor), Henry W. Longfellow (Translator), Lino Pertile (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Modern Library Classics | Publication Date: February 4, 2003

In 1867, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow completed the first American translation of Inferno and thus introduced Dante’s literary genius to the New World. In the Inferno, the spirit of the classical poet Virgil leads Dante through the nine circles of Hell on the initial stage of his journey toward Heaven. Along the way Dante encounters and describes in vivid detail the various types of sinners in the throes of their eternal torment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Opening the book we stand face to face with the poet, and when his voice ceases we may marvel if he has not sung to us in his own Tuscan.” —William Dean Howells, The Nation

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library (February 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812967216
• ISBN-13: 978-0812967210
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Longfellow Translation of Inferno, August 22, 2005

By 

Diane Plotkin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inferno: The Longfellow Translation (Paperback)

I have read and taught several different translations of Dante's Inferno, but I was not aware that Longfellow had been the first to translate it into English. Although it is not written in Terza Rima, it is a beautiful, flowing and elegant rendition of Dante the Pilgrim's descent through the nine levels of hell. I teach Inferno in college, and although my books are ordered for this semester, I intend use the Longfellow translation for the next course.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good translation by a master poet, July 14, 2006

By 

Jordan M. Poss (Georgia, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inferno: The Longfellow Translation (Paperback)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is the man most responsible for bringing Dante to the new world, where The Divine Comedy had long been held as superstitious Catholic hogwash by the largely Protestant population that settled here. In translating the Comedy and bringing into respectable circles in the United States, Longfellow not only reintroduced a great poet to a lost audience but created a great translation himself.

Longfellow's is not the best translation of Dante's work, but it is one of the finest as a poem in its own right. The language is stilted and difficult at times to the modern ear, but its tone and grandeur are perfect for capturing the vision of the world's greatest poet. This is a good introduction to Dante for the student and the casual reader alike. Longfellow's notes are good, but not great. Look to another edition, like Mark Musa's or Charles Singleton's, for more extensive notes.

Highly recommended.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Longfellow's and other translations, May 8, 2006

By 

K. Bush "kmbush40" (Boynton Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inferno: The Longfellow Translation (Paperback)

I'd just like to point out that notwithstanding the reviewer below, Longefellow was not the first to do an English translation of Dante. That was Rev. Henry Cary's black verse version, published 1810 (?). Readers who are looking for accuracy should check out John Singleton's prose translation with extensive commentary, but in my opinion Longfellow's version is the most satisfying overall. In only makes sense: Longfellow had the most innate talent of all Dante's English translators (at least that I've read).