Alicia answers “Anyone have an opinion as to what is the...”

Carol asked this question about The Divine Comedy: Inferno - Purgatorio - Paradiso:

Anyone have an opinion as to what is the best English translation? I bought a volume of the Cary translation (still in the mail) which I realize is written in archaic English, but it might be nice to have a more modern version as well.

Alicia I am currently reading both Ciardi's version alongside of Mandelbaum's which I bought for the Botticelli illustrations. Both have good notes, although…moreI am currently reading both Ciardi's version alongside of Mandelbaum's which I bought for the Botticelli illustrations. Both have good notes, although Ciardi's are very detailed and analytical, not merely explanatory. The Mandelbaum seems easier to read, although he doesn't break the cantos up into tercets like Ciardi.
The only reason I went with Ciardi instead of the widely recommended Hollander translation was because the latter had to be bought in 3 separate volumes. Prue Shaw (Dante, From Here to Eternity) also recommends this version.(less)

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The Divine Comedy

by Dante Alighieri

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