A Modern Reader's Guide to Dante's The Divine Comedy

by Joseph Gallagher

The Divine Comedy has been a cornerstone of Western literature for the better part of a millennium. In this work, Joseph Gallagher brings the power and prestige of this medieval classic to a new generation of readers--taking them on a guided tour through heaven, purgatory, and hell.



(Formerly titled To Hell and Back with Dante)



Paperback

Genres: Reference, Poetry

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1996

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an invaluable guide to me as I journeyed with Dante from the Inferno to Purgatory to Paradise. If you are new to the Divine Comedy, as I am, then this brief but densely packed guide to the work is just what is needed. The author devotes about two or three pages to every Canto. He is easy to read, informative, and funny as well.

[Mike Angelillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a first time reader of the Divine Comedy, I found this book to do a very solid job of putting all the things Dante talks about in context. I would have liked a chapter or two on Dante himself and the history of Florence at the time, but that is really nitpicking.

As an additional item of interest, my family name is mentioned in warning during canto 28 of the Inferno as potentially ending up in the 8th circle of hell if we do not mend our ways.

So at least I have that going for me...

[Caroline Sol (Drinks & Livros) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esse livro esmiuça a Divina Comédia capítulo a capítulo, explicando cada trecho, cada referencia, cada contexto histórico. Sem ele a minha experiência teria sido muito mais pobre, certamente.

[Debra Dombrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FABULOUS companion to TDC.

[s :) · Rating 2 out of 5]

summarizes the original work well, but it does it in an incredibly boring way. I couldn't get through more than 20 pages in a single sitting

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good helper text when navigating the commedia.

[Yago Sampaio · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Virgil, this book was a faithful guide in helping me to start understanding the Divine Comedy. It was a great journey!

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offers an academic overview to the entire Divine Comedy, much better than a glorified Cliff Notes.