Dante's Purgatorio: The Divine Comedy, Book Two

by S. Fowler Wright

In his introduction to THE INFERNO, the translator "I suppose that a very great majority of English-speaking people, if they were asked to name the greatest epic poet of the Christian era in Western Europe, would answer Dante." THE DIVINE COMEDY continues to be widely read today, whether for its religious inspiration or for the sheer power of its verse. In the second part of the epic, THE PURGATORIO, Dante climbs out of the pit of Hell with the guidance of the ancient Roman poet, Virgil, who then takes him on a journey up the mountain of Purgatory. Here we find the souls of those who died in sin, but whose transgressions have not placed them irredeemably beyond the saving grace of God's mercy. Sooner or later, they WILL reach Heaven. A first-rate English-language rendition of a classic of western literature.

Genres: Classics

178 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2012

About the author

Sydney Fowler Wright was a prolific British editor, poet, science fiction author, writer of screenplays, mystery fiction and works in other genres. Most of his work is published as by "S. Fowler Wright", and he also wrote as Sydney Fowler and Anthony Wingrave.

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't we love to watch people work off their sins when Jesus supposedly did that for them?

[Dino · Rating 4 out of 5]

very challenging

[Tim Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You are free of the steep way, free of the narrow.
Look at the sun shining before you,
Look at the fresh grasses, flowers, and trees
Which here the earth produces of itself.
You may sit down or move among these
Until the fair eyes come, rejoicing,
Which weeping bid me come to you.
No longer wait for word or sign from me.
Your will is free, upright, and sound.
Not to act as it chooses is unworthy:
Over yourself I crown and miter you."

[Quzhon Chalmers]

The Divine Comedy: Purgatorio is an amazing book that picks right up after the first in the series. It carries the idea of hope since those in Purgatory are not condemned to damnation for eternity like those in hell. It is the changing of oneself after the recognition of ones sins. It carries Christian values and a very classic approach and language. I recommend any fan of the first book to read Purgatorio, and anyone interested in religion as well.