First published 1320
Dante finds himself lost in a dark wood at age thirty-five, far from the righteous path. The Roman poet Virgil appears as his guide, leading him down into the depths of Hell where sinners suffer punishments that match their crimes. They witness the frozen lake where Satan himself is trapped, then climb down his body to emerge on the other side of the earth. Together they ascend the mountain of Purgatory, where souls purge their sins through suffering and prayer. At the summit, Dante's beloved Beatrice takes over as guide, leading him up through the nine spheres of Paradise. He encounters saints, angels, and ultimately experiences a vision of God himself. This collection also includes Dante's early work about his love for Beatrice, along with his poems, prose writings, and letters that reveal the full range of his literary genius.
Genres: classic-literature, historical-fiction, fantasy, epic-poetry
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: epic-journey, guide-mentor
Setting: Hell, Purgatory, Paradise
Period: Medieval
654 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books