The Inferno Dante's Immortal Drama of a Journey Through Hell

by John Ciardi

Cloth hardcover book. Historical introduction by Archibald T. MacAllister.

Genres: Classics

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1954

About the author

John Anthony Ciardi was an American poet, translator, editor, writer and etymologist.

Reviews

[Melanie Bouthillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply cannot review such an epic book. John Ciardi did a great job translating it for all levels of readers. I really enjoyed the blurb at the beginning of every Cantos explaining exactly what you will be reading in the verses to come. I've always had a fascination for this story and I'm glad I was able.to.find a copy and finally read it.

[Phoebe Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean I feel like I have no right to rate a book as famous as this. Especially a translated version. It’s obviously super cool and creative and I LOVED the maps. I was realllly into it at the beginning but by the second half it had gotten a little draggy and repetitive so I skimmed

[Luke Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante’s cosmic horror and creativity is insanely impressive for its time. It’s so so vivid. while this for sure was a project that took a fair bit of outside research it was entirely worth it. Dante is such a fascinating historical figure. IMO this is just Dante’s own “biblical
fan-fiction” with how comically indulgent and conceited it is but honestly learned to find it silly and enjoyable to consider after a while. While I don’t have another to compare it to I will say I LOVED the Ciardi translation and found it to be as accessible as it could be. I still have much to learn about the endless florentine political allusions tho.

[Fr. Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to keep in mind that this is one man's artistic and poetic interpretation of what hell could be, not doctrine. There is some system, but it is (in my opinion), unfortunately, obscured by too many specificities of characters. Such would have been extremely helpful to the people of Dante's century, perhaps, and would have immediately understood the references. But now, centuries later, the references require thorough explanations. For this, I am grateful for John Ciardi's introduction to each canto, his translation, and the footnotes. Without those, I would have been entirely lost.

[Killian Lonergan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading in my opinion. Religious or not, it's essential. I don't really know if I'm religious to any degree anymore, sometimes I wonder. This will probably make you wonder too: and, if it doesn't, it's at least cool.
Already pretty easy to read/comprehend (bit surprising given how the language of some texts this old are NOT easy to comprehend), but the sort of 'cliff notes' style clarifications and summaries of parts that end each Canto are quite nice, not only if you're hung up on the meaning of a passage or word, but just as a book end to each section to really help you digest it.

Pairs nicely with Slayer's Hell Awaits (we're all going so might as well get ready).

[Julio The Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a distance and over 45 years I thank the UCLA medievalist professor, you know who you are, you genius, for assigning me this superlative translation of Dante's INFERNO. One student asked the prof, 'Was this the popular view of Hell in the Middle Ages?" and he replied, "No, Dante invented it". Usurers, adulterers, corrupt popes and politicians, concupiscent lovers all get what they richly deserve at the hands of Il Miglior Fabro. Gratie, Doctore.

[leah kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those classics that you could miss out on so easily. Thank you Hozier for making me aware of the Dante’s Inferno since I kinda knew but didn’t really know anything about it. I am very fascinated by the circles of Hell and how Dante came up with everything. I assume most of this was his own idea but seeing as this was written in the 1300s and STILL people allude to it through media today, maybe there is some justification. So interesting and now I need to do more research

[Keegan Potts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 8th grade

[Lucy Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Horrible, disgusting, and morally wrong in so many ways, but kind of amusing at times.

[Alan E Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this at least once a year. John Ciardi's translation is the best.

I look at it as a travel guide for my afterlife. Still true to decide what circle I'll be in.

[Mary Brace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots to absorb here. It would take several readings to completely absorb all the allégories embedded in this epic poem. I did learn some fun origins of words from Greek and Roman myths however.

[Andrew H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

First ever *official* burn book? Oh yeah

[Sophie Avagliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this translation

rip dante you would’ve loved ao3

[Sophia Kolovitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dante takes himself through hell with his beloved companion, Virgil. As they test the boundaries of hell they also test their relationship….