Reading Dante: From Here to Eternity Hardcover – Deckle Edge, February 10, 2014

“Reading Dante” is a sublime book, the work of a scholar who has spent fifty years studying, translating and editing the works of Dante Alighieri and his contemporaries in fourteenth century Italy. Prue Shaw seems to know her way around late medieval Florence and Tuscany as well as the byways of University College, London her academic home base. This is a book that one feels lucky if he encounters something like it every five years—beautifully written, packed with the result of a lifetime of scholarship and presented in a distinctive but easy to follow manner, organized thematically instead of the more typical “and then he went to the next circle where Virgil said...”.Even though “The Divine Comedy” is a narrative poem, Prue Shaw dispenses with a plot summary, a good idea since it would become simple chronology in inferior language or just a list of sins and horrors that await sinners. She shows us the experience of the journey, the sense of being at the pilgrim’s side as he is gradually changed by what he sees, hears, and feels, as he moves from a man ‘lost in a dark wood” to one who is “turned by the Love that moves the...stars.” Shaw deals with some of thorny questions of literary theory; for example the liquid identities of Dante as author, Dante as character, a pilgrim who writes poetry and Dante the author of the poem we are reading not by explaining theory—often an excellent way to kill the reader’s interest—but by showing how the various guises adopted by Dante shift and fuse into each other depending on theme. A masterful performance, taking a fourteenth-century allegorical poem on sin and redemption, written in a medieval Florentine vernacular following the theology of the time and letting the reader discover its heretofore hidden beauties.She makes a supremely difficult undertaking, given the remoteness of the historical and cultural period in which Dante writes and the complexity of his language seem, if not easy then less difficult. Most importantly “Reading Dante” succeeds in persuading on to do exactly that: begin or continue reading Dante

There is no doubt that “Reading Dante: From Here to Eternity” is a masterful and detailed analysis of the Commedia and Dante’s life. It delves into the connections between the poetry and historical events with deep perception. The research presented with all lines of the cantos imparts greater understanding of the poetry and the period. The intertextual aspects and the allegories leave one with appreciation “from here to eternity”, as the title states.One learns about the tumultuous life of Dante and how his genius explored and invented not only poetic and linguistic forms, but had extended his reach into political and theological platforms with unparalleled effects on the future of Italy.The explanations and the quotations elucidate what an invaluable gift the Commedia is to western literature. One can understand why William Blake learned Italian only for wanting to read and translate Dante in its original. Could Dr. Shaw’s mastery in the presentation inspire the reader for closer association with the Commedia? That depends on the reader’s predilection for Dr. Shaw’s outstanding book. Even if our moral judgment is more lenient than that of Dante, the book’s historical description guides us towards more compassionate views. Yet, one cannot escape the thought that we want to share Dante’s views on treason, or treachery.One also discovers that Dante’s Commedia is not in any form l’art pour l’art, but it is an invention which encompasses many facets of human life. One discovers associations between the historical characters and those in one’s own environment. It leaves the reader wondering which circle or terrace his or her character would fit into.Dr. Shaw’s erudition may elicit envy for her knowledge, thus toss us on the terrace of envy. Yet, this frailty also inspires the reader to acquire greater knowledge of the Commedia and the period.

Shaw's is an outstanding book about an outstanding book. Those unfamiliar with the Divine Comedy can find in "Reading Dante" a very well-written introduction to what Dante's great book is all about. The writing is clear and free of jargon; Shaw gets into the politics and literary tastes of 13th century Florence just enough to provide appropriate background. She quotes short passages of the Divine Comedy to illustrate specific points, but one could take advantage of "Reading Dante" to begin a more extensive reading of Dante's masterpiece. For those who have read the Divine Comedy and are, perhaps, looking for a discussion of the main issues that this work raises, "Reading Dante" is invaluable. The questions are presented explicitly and in clear language and the arguments that follow are concise and equally lucid. Professor Shaw does a particularly good job in the discussion of Dante's ability to use all the resources of the then new Italian language to create a totally original masterpiece. I think there are no other commentaries to the Divine Comedy that are as wide-ranging in scope and satisfactory in the treatment. I read the hard cover version, nice illustrations

If you want to read the Commedia, read Prue Shaw's book first.

I purchased Shaw's book in preparation for an exhibition of Illustrations for Dante's "Inferno," not exactly sure what this author had to tell me. While a scholarly and profoundly "in depth" study of Dante's "Divine comedy," it was fascinating reading from first page to last. There is so much important information packed into this volume that I found myself marking off passages on dozens of pages. I had promised to pass the book on to my friends at Walsh University (where the exhibition is planned), but I don't want to part with it! They can buy their own copies!

The author is an excellent scholar of Dante. Despite the depth of knowledge revealed by the author, this work is beautifully written; in fact a masterpiece.

Pure Shaw writes about the Divine Comedy with scholarship and passion. She quotes liberally with prose translations - which certainly helped me. I am reading Dante at present; this work has been of great assistance. I recommend it without reservations.

I am reading the book now and am enjoying it very much. Good background and context for the book. I intend to read Clive James' version of the Inferno directly after this one.

Good

Helpful guide to the 'Divine Comedy'. Use of index essential if looking up a specific topic.