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Inferno: From The Divine Comedy

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Inferno: From The Divine Comedy

By: Dante Alighieri, Benedict Flynn - translator
Narrated by: Heathcote Williams
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About this listen

"Abandon all hope you who enter here." ("Lasciate ogne speranza voi ch’intrate.") Dante’s Hell is one of the most remarkable visions in Western literature. An allegory for his and future ages, it is, at the same time, an account of terrifying realism. Passing under a lintel emblazoned with these frightening words, the poet is led down into the depths by Virgil and shown those doomed to suffer eternal torment for vices exhibited and sins committed on earth.

Inferno is the first part of the long journey which continues through redemption to revelation - through Purgatory and Paradise - and, in this translation, prepared especially for the audiobook, his images are as vivid as when the poem was first written in the early years of the 14th century.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2004 Naxos AudioBooks Classics Poetry Emotionally Gripping Middle Ages

Critic Reviews

"Actor and writer Heathcote Williams gives a masterful performance of Benedict Flynn's blank verse translation. Williams modulates his smooth baritone into different characters, maintaining an even pace through this classic work. The cantos are punctuated by short selections of music ranging from Gregorian chant to Renaissance dance music.... A plaintive horn sounds the beginning of Inferno, the beginning of Dante's journey from The Gloomy Wood to the Circles of Hell. Dante begins alone in a fog of seeking and confusion until he encounters the shade of Virgil. When the poets begin the descent at the beginning of Canto Three, Williams's booming voice is technologically enhanced to create an echo for the famous line, "Abandon all hope, you who enter here." ( AudioFile)
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Would you listen to Inferno: From The Divine Comedy again? Why?

Audiobook makes the literature flow much easier. The visual description and personalities are absorbing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Inferno: From The Divine Comedy?

Pope Boniface face down in a trough of muck with his feet being burned is hard to forget.
And the souls trapped in trees who could whisper if the bark was peeled back.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The flying snake devil.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Many gasps of recognition of later writers and film makers. Tolkien's orcs could be the devils torturing the lower order souls. The river of skulls in pitch are familiar as images of genocides.

Any additional comments?

I'd like to listen and compare this translation with the recent Clive James one. That one reminded me of Vikram Seth's "Golden Gate" which was VERY GOOD as a talking book. But don't get Clive to read it.

Sorry reviewers I just put my review in Purgatory

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The narrators performance was excellent. The voices were immersive and fun. I look forward to the rest of the series.

It's easy to see that many stories have still been influenced by this work and no doubt this work was influenced by others before it. It's a fantastic and imaginative trip through hell.

Fantastic reading

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The narrator delivers an excellent performance. He uses a different voice for each character, which brings this classic work to life. A well-paced and relaxing narration of a classic story.

Great Narration of a Classic Story

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Very well put together. From the reader to the well place music. A very enjoyable listen, dispite the fact your listening to a story that takes you to hell. lol.

Great book

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A medieval masterpiece, Dante captures the raw emotion of suffering, sin and despair in his vision of hell. One of the greatest epic poems and poets to have ever lived. Highly recommended to all as the narrator is brilliant in every way, I could not think of another person who could narrate this better.

Remarkable!

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I never really knew much about Inferno. As a devout Christian, this is an intensely provocative and sobering listen. It is a blunt reminder of what we’ve been saved from. The performance was superb. Some background reading before listening will help for those (like me) who didn’t have much understanding of the book.

Disturbingly provocative. Must listen.

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