Inferno

by Dante and Robin Kirkpatrick

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Mythology

Paperback

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hozier concert so good I read Dante’s inferno for fun

[Nick Lopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of Italians I didn't recognize

[Heavy Machine Operator · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a crazy thing to start after a years-long period of not reading, and I have that to blame for it taking me six months. It's philosophically and lexically dense as fuck, and there's the original italian as well as the notes for each Canto as well. I admit there haven't been many times this year where I wanted to contemplate original evil and suffering.

That said I'm glad I read it. From hearing about Dante's moral order it didn't seem fair to me but when you read it, it does start to make sense, even if you aren't religious. The ideas in here can be picked apart endlessly, and it's especially impressive considering Dante had none of the media that inspires us today. He was just thinking about that in his spare time like a freak.

I did not like Kirkpatrick's very literal translation of the place names (Malebolge becoming 'Rottenpockets'), they were very goofy sounding. There are many things in the text that need explaining in the notes so I don't see why this couldn't have been one of them.

I will read Purgatorio and Paradiso because my uncle wants me to so a review of those can be expected in the next couple years probably.

[Michael Seselja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously an absolute classic and there’s probably little I can say that hasn’t already been said. But I will anyway.

I love how Dante seamlessly blends the Greek and Roman pagan myths into a Christian framework; much like how Christianity took the best of pagan society while discarding the worst (for example he condemns to hell certain classical heroes who acted immorally by Christian standards). And it’s a great meditation on God’s justice and our journey to overcome sin.

Also the footnotes were very helpful for understanding who all these random Italians were, and it was definitely way better reading it out loud (to little Loui, I hope he wasn’t too traumatised). You get a much better sense of the rhythm that way.

[Anja Radić · Rating 3 out of 5]

“At grief so deep the tongue must wag in vain; the language of our sense and memory lacks the vocabulary of such pain.”

[Dominique Malinowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

obviously glad i read it but fucking hell (lol), never have i been happier to be done with a book. impossible to get through without notes and google unless you’re happy to just understand surface level context. currently considering if i hate myself enough to pick up rest of the divine comedy

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 for this weird book, I went into this knowing it wasn't going to be for me but knew I wanted to read it as it's used in context in so many books I read. Can confirm I was right and not really for me. I enjoyed it but can't really condone a book where half the pages are notes to help you understand it.

[Lieke van der Linden · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t care about ancient rich Italians who have petty disputes about politics that have nothing to do with anything but themselves. But go off I guess?

[Ange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long read for me since there is so much going on and a wild amount of name dropping. It was so nice to finally read and understand the references made in general pop culture!

[Bree]

Through me you go to the grief-wracked city.
Through me to everlasting pain you go.
Through me you go and pass among lost souls.
Justice inspired my exalted Creator.
I am a creature of the Holiest Power,
Of Wisdom in the Highest and of Primal Love.
Nothing til I was made was made, only eternal beings. And I endure eternally.
Surrender as you enter every hope you have.

[Drozzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

For the sake of God and yourself, do not read this translation, it is a slop made of a completely senseless mixture of modernized and original language, why in the name of all that is good would you translate an italian name in Inferno of all books as ”Johnny”? It was so utterly jarring that i could not bear to read more.

[Chris Turnbull · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed some aspects of the story but I’d definitely say this book isn’t my cup of tea. I found it quite difficult to follow at certain points and as a result I think I’ve missed some philosophical lessons. Also Dante is so condescending and such a dick. Virgil=GOAT

[☆ isabelle ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very obsessed with the fact that Dante wrote this whole epic poem and just put himself in there as the main character. Bro basically wrote a 200 page self insert fanfiction about him falling in love with Virgil and then meeting god. Icon behaviour.

[hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had read this during the 14th century, maybe I would have understood all the tea

[Rachel McPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Now we came out, and once more saw the stars”

Really tricky to get into at first but it read more naturally as time went on.

[Richard Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll reread this one after doing some background reading. I was surprised that this translation doesn’t include the line “abandon all hope ye who enter here”.

[kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots going on in Venice in the 1300s and Dante really wants to talk about it

[Jacob Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too advanced for me at the moment to fully grasp and appreciate: it contains many classical references and is very lexisly intense. Will be worth a revisit at some point.

[Ryan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phenomenal passages and incredible ideas in the book. I only put three stars because a lot of the Roman/greek reference were lost on me.

[Elpltt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Palate cleanser from all the fairy porn

[Heather Neumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

good plot. translation seemed less reverent than other translations

[Evelyn Galateanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love that he's more or less the first guy who wrote a self insert fanfic. Honestly props to him. He's a real hater, this has shown me that I haven't hated to my full potential.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story on its own is very interesting (and sometimes a bit gruesome) to read. Unfortunately this version was translated poorly and made the book hard to get through, quite disappointing.

[Amberly Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d fart too if that were me.