Customer Reviews

The Divine Comedy: Volume 3: Paradise

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Musa's translation is easy to read, yet captures the beauty of the poem. Notes are in-depth, educational, inspirational. The translator understands not only the work, but the Catholic Faith behind it. Musa's notes are not as startling as they are in the Inferno, but they are still better than Mandelbaum's rendition.

Neither translator seems to touch what seems the most confusing part of the poem, which is the organization of the spheres. Canto 30 has lost me every time I've read it and I fear it always will. This 'bump in the road' however, is minor. No one should fear to read this great classic, fearing he/she will be overwhelmed. With Musa as your instructor, the reader is sure to have a gratifying experience.

I am not a professional Dante scholar, and in fact, speak no Italian at all, so my judgement as to the accuracy of the translation is suspect. That said, Musa does an admirable job of helping the reader understand this very difficult final third of the Divine Comedy. Of the three sections of the Comedy, my feeling is that Paradise is the least interesting, though it would be a shame to read the first two parts and neglect the third, since they all are integral to understanding what Dante was trying to accomplish. But the characters in Paradise are all literally perfect and sinless, and there is not nearly as much of interest as in the other books. There is a lot of symbolism involving what shapes the saints stand in and the like, but its all rather trying and sometimes monotonous, to me anyway. Musa is a good guide though. The translation smartly abandons any hope of recreating Rima Terza, and goes with a straight blank verse rendering. The translation is subtle and effective, even when the poem itself is slow and tedious. Despite my beliefs about Paradise, both history and personal experience tell me that Divine Comedy is an important and fulfilling part of the Western Canon that should not go neglected. I have no problem recommending Musa's version of Paradise.

My interest in classic literature did not arise until recently. I read many reviews which indicated that people with this such interest absolutely MUST read Dante's Inferno. With that hefty weight upon my "newbie" shoulders I decided to undergo the journey that so many others have made over the last 700 years.

As it turns out, Mark Musa's translation of Inferno is fantastic. Each chapter begins with a very brief but informative synopsis, followed by the prose, then finally capped off my Musa's notes on the text. Musa's notes give backgroud on all of the characters and situations that take place throughout the story. These notes are a MUST for any newcomer to Dante and classical literature in general. So, not only is there the original text in English for us non-Italian speakers, but there are notes to increase the readers comprehension.

Dante is guided by the author of the Aeneid, Virgil. Virgil takes Dante through the Nine Levels of Hell to show him the pain and suffering of all those who do not love and follow God. Dante learns a great deal on this journey as does the reader.

Mark Musa's translation of Dante is smooth, entertaining, and very informative. Anyone interested in Christianity, Hell, famous Greeks, and classical literature should definitely indulge themselves as this translation is not overwhelming in the slightest. Five stars across the board.

The pilgrim's journey continues to heaven.

If you, like me, are intimidated by Dante but are interested in these great works of Western Literature, you now have an accessible translation of the Divine Comedy. Musa's translation communicates the divinity of the events in the story on an understandable level. The Divine Comedy colored my perception of religion and helped me to a new understanding of the harmony of responsibility and grace. The work also educates the reader in an enriching way about the belief system of the middle ages.

Don't miss this book and don't read any other translation.

In this translation of paradise, Mark Musa exhibits the same sensitivity to language and knowledge of translation that enabled his versions of the Inferno and Purgatory to caputure the vibrant powers of Dantes poetry. Thats what it says on the back of the book and boy you couldnt have said it better than that. This book is by far better than the first and a perfect sequel to the secound translation. Mark Musa puts Dante's complex poetry into plain english so that even a common student like myself can understand. I think anyone who likes Dantes interpretations about life will love this addition to his work.