Dante's Divine Comedy: Hell, Purgatory, Paradise (Hardcover)

by Dante Alighieri (Author), Anna Amari-Parker (Editor), Gustave Dore (Illustrator) "In the middle of bis life, Dante has left the 'straightforward pathway' and is lost in a dark forest..." (more)
Key Phrases: fourth cornice, fixed stars, late repentant, Saint Peter, The Guide, The Eagle (more...)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 383 pages
• Publisher: Chartwell Books; illustrated edition edition (October 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785821201
• ISBN-13: 978-0785821205
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,850 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars dante, longfellow and dore', April 17, 2007

By	zed mizar (los angeles) - See all my reviews

this is a beautiful book and contains all three volumes of the divine comedy. the longfellow translation is very clear and readable and i like the fact that he didn't try to reproduce the rhyme. the language is only slightly outdated in places, but i don't mind that since it is a very old poem and the slightly formal language gives it a classic feel. the original woodcut illustrations are wonderful, there are many of them, and the whole thing adds up to a very nice volume.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning - a must have, January 12, 2008

By	Eric J. Kristoff (Frankfort, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I must confess that the large format makes reading the formal translations a bit easier on the eyes. The volume also includes a preface and section introductions/interpretations in contemporary english which make the text much more approachable. And the woodcut illustrations are simply gorgeous - it's worth getting the book just for these. They really bring to life the imaginations from when they were created in the 19th century all the way back several hundred years more to when Dante wrote the text. They also help to explain the perceptions that our predecessors had of religion, sin, and piety. This is a terrific volume - highly recommended.

One tangential note - if you like the illustrations in this you should also check out "Barlow's Inferno", published a few years ago. Wayne Douglas Barlow synthesizes interpretations of hell from many cultures and periods into illustrations of terror and frightful beauty. Barlow is the spiritual inheritor of Dore's vision.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic only for $17.98, June 7, 2007

By	Mischa K (West Hollywood, Ca, USA) - See all my reviews

NOTE: Barnes and Noble sells it for only $17.98 in store or online.

Great translation.The classic black and white illustrations by THE master Gustave Dore. A must for your classics library. I bought it at B&N, very happy with the quality of paper and the lay-out.
This title is quite large in size, almost coffee table book style. Not for dragging around the beach.
Highly recommended!