The Divine Comedy: Inferno/Purgatory/Paradise/a Life of Dante (Classic Literature With Classical Music. Classic Fiction)

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular!!
Review: What can I say? I'm hooked! I started reading this powerful masterpiece out of mere curiosity. After the first Canto, I couldn't put it down! The stunning depictions of the infinite torment of Hell sent shivers up my spine! I used to think that Shakespeare had no equal, now I know I was wrong!

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful translation of a classic
Review: When I took World Literature in college way back when We had to read Dante's Divine Comedy. The teacher used this translation. I was so impressed I bought the book myself. Ciardi has made this text accessible to everyone, with plenty of notes and diagrams to keep you from getting lost as you journey with Dante to Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. I have recommended this to friends and they have all thanked me for showing them the way.

Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate Journey of the Soul
Review: Whether you care to join the scholarly debate over whether Dante's soaring masterpiece is medieval or renaissance literature, this trilogy is well worth the time and effort anyone cares to invest. Make no mistake - this account of the journey of a soul through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven is very demanding reading, no matter how well translated and how many helpful notes are provided (I first "discovered" Dante in high school and remain faithful to the Ciardi translation). Dante can be read on so many levels that it constantly challenges the reader, yet the rewards are great. Dante the poet and the protagonist is a medieval Christian who is also embracing the masters of classical antiquity, such as his first guide, Virgil. He is a Florentine who bitterly resents the people who contributed to his exile from his beloved city-state. He is a political theorist who embraces a sort of world order far beyond the nations and petty principalities of his day. He is a devout believer who abhors the corruption of the late medieval Church. He is a writer who constructs a masterpeice of structure. He is a romantic who pines for his ultimate guide Beatrice. But ultimately, Dante is a passionate believer who chronicles the allegory of his soul's journey from sin (The Inferno) to repentance (Purgatory) to salvation (Paradise). Don't make the all-too-frequent mistake of reading only the most entertaining Inferno. A third of Dante is fascinating but the entire Divine Comedy is an inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: Bad recording of a Great Book
Review: While the actor, Heathecote Williams, clearly can read, either he was a poor choice for this task, or the producers of this audio version had no experience with audio books. The production quality of this recording is terrible. I purchase a lot of audio books, but seldom have I had such a horrible listening experience.
The actor speaks in a droning monitone and then starts to yell in a high-pitched and squeaky voice.
I would suggest that you read this book rather than listen to this badly produced set of discs.

Rating:
Summary: Bad recording of a Great Book
Review: While the actor, Heathecote Williams, clearly can read, either he was a poor choice for this task, or the producers of this audio version had no experience with audio books. The production quality of this recording is terrible. I purchase a lot of audio books, but seldom have I had such a horrible listening experience.
The actor speaks in a droning monitone and then starts to yell in a high-pitched and squeaky voice.
I would suggest that you read this book rather than listen to this badly produced set of discs.