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Lectura Dantis, Purgatorio: A Canto-by-Canto Commentary
This new critical volume, the second to appear in the three-volume Lectura Dantis, contains expert, focused commentary on the Purgatorio by thirty-three international scholars, each of whom presents to the nonspecialist reader one of the cantos of the transitional middle cantica of Dante's unique Christian epic. The cast of characters is as colorful as before, although this time most of them are headed for salvation. The canto-by-canto commentary allows each contributor his or her individual voice and results in a deeper, richer awareness of Dante's timeless aspirations and achievements.
412 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2008
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About the author
Allen Mandelbaum
38 books32 followers Allen Mandelbaum was an American professor of Italian literature, poet, and translator. A devout Jew, Mandelbaum is highly knowledgeable of Christianity.
His translation of the Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri appeared between 1980 and 1984 — published by The University of California Press and supported by the notable Dante scholar Irma Brandeis. He subsequently acted as general editor of the California Lectura Dantis, a collection of essays on the Comedy; two volumes, on the Inferno and Purgatoria, have been published.
Mandelbaum received the National Book Award for his translation of Virgil's Aeneid, and is also the recipient of the Order of Merit from the Republic of Italy, the Premio Mondello, the Premio Leonardo, the Premio Biella, the Premio Lerici-Pea, the Premio Montale at the Montale Centenary in Rome, and the Circe-Sabaudia Award.
In 2000, Mandelbaum traveled to Florence, Italy, for the 735th anniversary of Dante's birth, and was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor of the City of Florence, in honor of his translation of the Divine Comedy. In 2003, he was awarded The Presidential Prize for Translation from the President of Italy, and received Italy's highest award, the Presidential Cross of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity.
Allen Mandelbaum died on Oct. 27 in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was 85. His son, Jonathan, said he died after a long illness.
His translation of the Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri appeared between 1980 and 1984 — published by The University of California Press and supported by the notable Dante scholar Irma Brandeis. He subsequently acted as general editor of the California Lectura Dantis, a collection of essays on the Comedy; two volumes, on the Inferno and Purgatoria, have been published.
Mandelbaum received the National Book Award for his translation of Virgil's Aeneid, and is also the recipient of the Order of Merit from the Republic of Italy, the Premio Mondello, the Premio Leonardo, the Premio Biella, the Premio Lerici-Pea, the Premio Montale at the Montale Centenary in Rome, and the Circe-Sabaudia Award.
In 2000, Mandelbaum traveled to Florence, Italy, for the 735th anniversary of Dante's birth, and was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor of the City of Florence, in honor of his translation of the Divine Comedy. In 2003, he was awarded The Presidential Prize for Translation from the President of Italy, and received Italy's highest award, the Presidential Cross of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity.
Allen Mandelbaum died on Oct. 27 in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was 85. His son, Jonathan, said he died after a long illness.
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October 27, 2013
A stunning achievement that is not lessened by the shoulders of the generations of Dante scholars that these essayist's stand on. This series of essays were essential in understanding the depths of meaning layered into Dante's text.
The third volume in this set of commentaries, Paradisio, is not yet published but may yet come to be in spite of Dr. Mandelbaum's passing. Lets hope so.
The third volume in this set of commentaries, Paradisio, is not yet published but may yet come to be in spite of Dr. Mandelbaum's passing. Lets hope so.
Displaying 1 of 1 review