The Divine Comedy Audiobook

" hell part is the best.. "

" While I loved the imagery and twisted imagination of Mr. Ali, what was really great was flipping back and forth between the text and notes whenever he made allusions to his political enemies in the story and going "Oh Snap. D.A. just served you!" "

" Dante Aligheri's Divine Comedy is rightfully cited as a poetic masterpiece and the perfect snapshot of the beliefs of what was probably your typical Italian Catholic in the early 14th century (and includes a reference to a round Earth for all who thought Columbus figured that out). As such, all I will add is the audio CD I listened to had a very fine narrator that read the work well. As he's British and I am an American who can easily believe anything read in a British accent is automatically more classy, that helped enormously. "

" Inferno and Purgatorio were good, but Paradisio seemed a bit repetitive. It had a lot of slight variants on the same theme. "

" got worse as it went along, but the inferno was fantastic "

" This is the Carlyle-Okey-Wicksteed translation. Which was disappointing. I don't think it added anything new to my understanding of Dante's vision. Stick with the Allen Mandelbaum translation! "

" During high school Book report! hehe "

" I just loved it. Enough said. :)) "

" got worse as it went along, but the inferno was fantastic "

" I read this one my junior year of high school and absolutely adored it! I thought the writing style and verse were really interesting and I loved all of the characters. My favorite part was the Inferno. "

" This is one of the most descriptive, interesting stories I've ever read. It was this book that really opened my eyes up to what Hell truly would be like (I already had ideas about Heaven and Purgatory), and re-established me on the right path in life. "

" I was interested in buying 'The Inferno', not knowing that it was part of a trilogy. I looked around here on Amazon.com and learned that it was part of a series and it was available in one book. I looked around at the various versions of the Divine Comedy, and this book was highly-rated and came with helpful reviews, so this was the one I selected. I was not at all disappointed. I don't know Italian, but the translation feels appropriate, and the notes are helpful. A definite must for any literary collection. "

" the inferno is overrated, cool and all, but purgatory is better. paradise = lame. "

" Incredible illustrations, and mind bogging work of philosophy. It also made me feel like I was going to Hell. "

" I was surprised that a "timeless classic" would be 1) so packed with dated politics, and 2) largely a passing of judgement by the author on countless specific individuals from the era. I appreciated the explanations on all the mythology references and I'm glad I finally read it. "

" I read the Ciardi translation. "

" A good translation is key in order to enjoy The Divine Comedy. "

" I found this to be an interesting concept. "

" I have never finished reading this but, every time I pick it up it's so much fun. "

" I just loved it. Enough said. :)) "

" Doesn't get better than this. "

" Ech. Reading for class that I hate and I have little time to actually study the book. "

" I loved this book. It was perfect for reading a little each night and even though I didn't know the people to whom he was referring at times, his creativity in expressing the apt punishments for the different sins and likewise his description of paradise was compelling and beautiful. "

" By turns amazing (Hell) and tedious (Heaven - go figure), the writing is generally great fun. "

" Beautiful and enriching for your soul. Challenging (for some) but unforgettable! "

" Ye Olde English + Unique style of poetry = f@^%ing hard to read. "

" its very goog book .i like it for every time "

" The layers of hell are hella interesting! "

" [I did not read this edition, but an old one from 1955.:] "

" Can be pretty tedious at times. "

" Absolute Classics. Studies of human nature. "

" There is so much going on in The Divine Comedy that one reading is not enough to try to comprehend this book. Someone could, and I am sure many have, spend a lifetime reading and studying this. "

" Inferno is easily my favorite of the three. "

" This was a difficult book to read. It was in the style of poetry with Cantos and verse and divided into three sections. The first being inferno, the second being purgatory, and finally paradise. Was glad to reach the end and mark another classic off my bucket list, but do not believe I would ever find the time to read it again. "

" Sorry, didn't love it. Read it in university - probably didn't get it at the time and haven't had cause to go back since. I should replace this on my "to read" list. "

" Absolutely brilliant! Not written by Dante himself, but rather by the hand of God. "

" college read. but excellent medeival cosmology. gotta love premodern thinking "

" What does it say about me that I think Inferno is the best of the trio? "

" Dante's description of hell gave me not only the impression that I was there but also that Dante himself had been there. "

" It is gorgeous but I seek background about astrolojia..And one more thing I have seen the ghost of Dante some nights...maybe because I thought he was inspired by islam, yet he did not respect my prophet.. "

" This was a tough style of book to read. I found myself re-reading passages multiple times. It would be easier with a cliff note version to help explain things. "

" Overall I thought The Divine Comedy an interesting read. Inferno was my favourite part of the three. Purgatory was not as good but the weakest of all was Paradise. In other words, it lost some momentum as the allegory went on. Still, I ploughed it through to the end. "

" Bad theology, presented in the most monotonously boring story possible. I've been listening to the audio book for several months on my ipod, which was recently stolen. The only favor the thief did for me was giving me a great excuse for not finishing this book. "

" Actually read Inferno and excerpts of second two parts, but I still have to read the whole thing through "

" Very hard read but I was instantly obsessed "

" Inferno is great, Purgatorio is passable, but Paradiso is booooring. But still Dante is one of my favorites for the sheer magnificence of his writing. "

" Can't be a fan of Greek and Roman mythology and not love this book! Also gives insight to the political woes of the time, which, go figure, sounds eerily like the political woes of our time. "

" Ech. Reading for class that I hate and I have little time to actually study the book. "

" Wish I could read the original Italian. Someday ... "

" Wow, that was not my kind. I read it, I understood the words, I like poems and poetry in general - but the story was neither captivating nor was I anyhow able to find a contact to it. "

" There were some bits that were not totally 100% awesome but they were pretty much awesome. So we'll go with that. I finished it in a last effort a few months after leaving it sit. I guess I just wasn't into reading. It made me want to read other Classics. To see what the allusions were alluding to. "

" if you are lucky enough reading of in Italian, you immedietly realize it is one of the worlds best written book ever. and I have a lot of books I like but non of them is as intense as this book. enjoy. "

" One of my favorites of all time! "

" have to say haven't read it straight through, but I love to dip into this, and one day I will read it from cover to cover. "

" Dual-language (Italian/English) copy including Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso. "

" One of the most inspiring poems ever written. I always go back to this classic when I'm looking for inspiration. Everytime I pick up this book I find something new; something I had never noticed before. Brava! "

" I was surprised that a "timeless classic" would be 1) so packed with dated politics, and 2) largely a passing of judgement by the author on countless specific individuals from the era. I appreciated the explanations on all the mythology references and I'm glad I finally read it. "

" Read this in my most boring college class ever. (I hate required reading and tests.) I like the idea though "

" Freaky, and needed alot of cliff notes but interesting "

" A must for anyone who considers themselves "educated" "

" a book (or should I say "1000-page poem" you really have to sink your teeth into. I can be quite mesmerizing from time to time, yet tends to get somewhat tedious in between. The language is not very accessible or inviting for quick readers. "

" I have readi it three times - it is probably one of the books I would bring with me on a desert island "

" Great book, but you need a lot of historical background to fully understand it. "

" "This is one angry and bitter guy. But wow can he write. Such an amazingly creative work and it changed Christianity forever. This poem almost single handedly created the popular view of hell that has been around for centuries. Totally Awesome!" "

" I do NOT want to go to hell. Enough said. "

" Lots of work, but well worth the effort. I think the second read will be more enjoyable, and there will be a second read. "

" If it were published today, it would need serious improvements in the narrative form to keep up with the style of modern fantasy literature. Nevertheless, it has stood the test of time and deservedly retains the title of a classic. "

" who gives The Divine Comedy 4 out 5 stars. Yes, the same amount of stars as the Eddie Fisher book. Maybe sadly for me I found the Fisher book more interesting. I'd give it a three based on personal entertainment value. Instead an extra star out of appreciation for the quality. "

" The as yet untouchable and august tome containing the complete tour of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory which will scare any heretic or atheist straight. "

" The best translation of Dante, ignoring all "modern" attempts like John Ciardi's. She really seemed to grasp the rhythm and structure of the medieval Italian. Wonderful. "

" I have readi it three times - it is probably one of the books I would bring with me on a desert island "

" freshman year of college... in my mind i know everthing... this book was pretty good... looking back the book is still good... and i realize i was an idiot... "

" I needed the Cliffe notes for this one but it just seems like a must read. And, for being labeled/titled as a comedy, it was even funny and a bit thought provoking. "

" always nice to re-read Alighieri. "

" A dramatic piece of literature. Even for us non-believers. "

" Phew. This one took effort given that it was the original text with translations. I still think ill need to read it 4 more times to really understand it completely though. Its not a page flipper. Most pages make you rethink a lot of things about life in general. "

" Dore's illustrations to Dante's great work are famous and have often inspired the work of others. "

" While I loved the imagery and twisted imagination of Mr. Ali, what was really great was flipping back and forth between the text and notes whenever he made allusions to his political enemies in the story and going "Oh Snap. D.A. just served you!" "

" There were some bits that were not totally 100% awesome but they were pretty much awesome. So we'll go with that. I finished it in a last effort a few months after leaving it sit. I guess I just wasn't into reading. It made me want to read other Classics. To see what the allusions were alluding to. "

" For reasons I don't quite understand this book lives in the empty cubicle to the right of me at work... "

" A dramatic piece of literature. Even for us non-believers. "

" I wanted to read this book becasue of all the movie refences. It was a very good book. It also sheads light on what the author thought was inexcuseable during his lifetime. "

" Very well written, but not particularly an "easy read". I ejoyed the Inferno very much, but lost interest in the middle of Purgatory...so honestly did not really finish. I may try again another time. "

" Some of the most beautiful illustrations ever. "

" I was surprised that a "timeless classic" would be 1) so packed with dated politics, and 2) largely a passing of judgement by the author on countless specific individuals from the era. I appreciated the explanations on all the mythology references and I'm glad I finally read it. "

" I'm reading the book AND looking at these illustrations as I go. I've never read it, and I thought it was time to go to "hell" as it were! "

" One of my favorite books "

" The best book in the world illustrated by my second-favorite artist in the world, it could only have been better if my first favorite artist had illustrated it. "

" A nice visual supplement to the Divine Comedy. Dante's masterful poetry excels in invoking the detailed imagery of heaven, hell, and purgatory. Dore's woodcuts are just a little icing on the cake. "

" Dore's copperplate engravings are beautiful, and this book collects them all! "