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Modern Reader's Guide to Dante's the Divine Comedy

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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

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

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Joseph Gallagher

36 books2 followers

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Chad.
Author 34 books542 followers
February 10, 2025
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.
Profile Image for Mike Angelillo.
124 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2008
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...

Profile Image for Caroline Sol (Drinks & Livros).
178 reviews9 followers
July 15, 2020
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.
126 reviews
February 4, 2022
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
Profile Image for Yago Sampaio.
8 reviews
December 13, 2022
As Virgil, this book was a faithful guide in helping me to start understanding the Divine Comedy. It was a great journey!
Profile Image for Tim.
1,232 reviews
November 29, 2014
Offers an academic overview to the entire Divine Comedy, much better than a glorified Cliff Notes.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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