Inferno: From The Divine Comedy Audiobook By Dante Alighieri, Benedict Flynn - translator cover art

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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"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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2004 Naxos AudioBooks Classics Poetry Emotionally Gripping Middle Ages Funny

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)
Compelling Journey • Lucid Storytelling • Expressive Voice • Distinct Character Voices • Vivid Imagination

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Reading Dante always seemed like a monumental task. I would stare at the stanzas and immediately close the page; it looked boring and tedious, more appreciated if I understood Italian.

This version and this narration bring this horror to a visceral life. Highly recommended.

Phenomenal translation and phenomenal narration

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that is if you don't understand old English yes it's very dated and filled to the brim with old italian political views but it is far more captivating than many storys for it's age and well worth a second and even 3rd reading.

abandon all hope

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First rate in all aspects. A true audio treasure to adore all-year round on nature hikes.

Fantastic!

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Clearly now I grasp some of the brilliance that has resounded through the ages.
A must have for anyone’s collection.

Great narrator,quite fitting.

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Good reading and translation is decent. I’ve listen to a few others and this is one of the better ones. Just want one where the reader is more encaptivating. All the readers they pick for this book really become droning sound after a few minutes. Makes it difficult to keep the mind from wandering off. This reading is good and will likely get the next but still not the one I’ve been looking for.

Good reading and translation is decent

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