Dante's Inferno

translations by twenty contemporary poets

By Alighieri, Dante & Halpern, Daniel

Publishers Summary:
This exciting new translation of Dante's masterpiece, considered by many the greatest poem ever written, brings together twenty of our most distinguished contemporary poets. One of the most important works of our literary and social imagination, Dante's Inferno has been translated by poets and scholars throughout the ages, but never before have so many talented voices worked in concert with each other and with Dante to produce this most compelling book of the Commedia. Dante's unique combination of formal and imaginative genius demands that only those in complete command of their own language should undertake to translate his. As James Merrill reminds us in his introduction, "masterpieces are timeless, but their translations date, and need redoing." This remarkable collaboration puts one of our "sacred texts" back into the hands of the keepers of the language, the poets themselves. Readers new to Dante will find a convincing and exciting tale of inner and outer exploration, and for the initiated, a Dante who speaks, in English, with a new lyrical power.

 Not Rated. Be the first to rate this product!

ISBN
978-0-88001-291-1
Publisher
Hopewell, N.J. : Ecco Press, c1993.


REVIEWS

Library Journal

Reviewed on April 15, 1993

This new version of the Inferno might be termed more accurately an "interpretation'' of Dante rather than a translation. Contemporary poets ranging from Seamus Heaney to Carolyn Forche and W.S. Merwin have collaborated on this book, and poetic license reigns. The poet Daniel Halpern plainly states in the preface that the contributors "were selected...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Become a Pro


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Add To My List

cover
by

This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Export


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Save List Search Query


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.

Follow Lists


This feature is only available to Pro subscribers. Please log in, or upgrade your subscription.