The Inferno of Dante: A New Verse Translation

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Summary: Pinsky's translation makes Dante's poem English poetry
Review: This translation does not ignore the poetry of Dante. Although translations of poetry often do not work, this one does. You feel the velosity that Dante originally intended in the original Italian poem. There is beauty in the reading. Other translations tell us the story but do not give us anything of the beauty of the language of poetry. I await the arrival of the entire Divine Comedy translation by Pinsky.

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Summary: A Superb Modern Translation Of A Timeless Classic
Review: Though I love classic literature, I claim none of the pretentiousness of many of the new breed of literati that I have encountered in my life. When I read poetry or prose, whether it be modern or classic, I like to actually UNDERSTAND what I'm reading without spending an hour translating and understanding that which enters my brain. In "The Inferno of Dante: A New Verse Translation," Robert Pinsky does an outstanding job of taking this classic of European literature and making it accessible to not just the person with a PhD in literature, but also to the ordinary man who appreciates a story. I have no problem in recommending this book to anyone with even a passing interest in Dante Alighieri, 14th century Italian poetry, or the seven levels oh Hell.