Inferno: The Divine Comedy I

A Journey Through the Depths of Sin and Redemption

Dante author Robin Kirkpatrick translator Robin Kirkpatrick editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:30th Mar '06

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Inferno: The Divine Comedy I cover

Dante's Inferno: The Divine Comedy I explores the depths of Hell, revealing the eternal consequences of the seven deadly sins through vivid encounters with doomed souls.

In Inferno: The Divine Comedy I, Dante Alighieri takes readers on a harrowing journey through the depths of Hell. Guided by the Roman poet Virgil, Dante descends into a world where the consequences of earthly sins are vividly portrayed. The narrative unfolds as Dante encounters a series of doomed souls, each suffering in accordance with the gravity of their transgressions. From the infamous liar Odysseus to the tragic figure of Cleopatra, the characters represent various aspects of human folly, illustrating the moral lessons embedded in their eternal punishments.

The structure of Inferno is meticulously crafted, featuring nine concentric circles of torment that reflect the severity of different sins. As Dante navigates this cruel underworld, the vivid imagery and poignant language bring to life the anguish of those condemned for sins such as greed, treachery, and self-deception. The work not only serves as a reflection on morality but also offers a critique of the political landscape of Dante's time, as he encounters figures from his own life among the damned.

This Penguin Classics edition, translated and edited by Robin Kirkpatrick, includes insightful commentary and notes that enhance the reader's understanding of the text. Printed with facing pages in both English and Dante's original Italian, Inferno remains a cornerstone of literary and philosophical exploration, influencing countless writers and thinkers throughout history.

“A masterly translation.” ―Judith Thurman, The New Yorker

“Kirkpatrick brings a more nuanced sense of the Italian and a more mediated appreciation of the poem’s construction than nearly all of his competitors. . . . There is much to recommend here―certainly the intelligence, the energy, the linguistic range. . . . His introduction and canto-by-canto notes are remarkably level and lucid, as attentive to structure as to syntax, language and motif, and deftly cross-reference the whole poem. On their own, they would justify the price.”
―The Times(London)

“We gain much from Kirkpatrick’s fidelity to syntax and nuance, and from the fact that the Italian is on the facing page for our inspection. . . . His introduction . . . tells you, very readably indeed, pretty much all you need for a heightened appreciation of the work. . . . Kirkpatrick edges us, smoothly, into Dante’s mind, and shows just how and why his influence has seemed to grow with the passage of time. We even get a map of trecento Italy (nestling against a map of hell). . . . If the Purgatorio and Paradiso are as good as this, then English readers will, I hope, start familiarising themselves with the two-thirds of the work most never get round to reading.” —Nicholas Lezard, The Guardian

“Likely to be the best modern version of Dante . . . The perfect balance of tightness and colloquialism.” —Bernard O’Donoghue

“This version is the first to bring together poetry and scholarship in the very body of the translation—a deeply informed version of Dante that is also a pleasure to read.” —David Wallace, University of Pennsylvania

ISBN: 9780140448955

Dimensions: 197mm x 129mm x 25mm

Weight: 400g

576 pages