Dante: The Poet, the Political Thinker, the Man

This a well-written and very readable critical biography of Dante, but there is one major problem with it: the lack of adequate documentation. The author assumes that we should go on a goose chase for the location of every quote and claim in the book; there are no parenthetical references in the text, no bibliography, and the end notes, while sometimes helpful, are often merely clever. It's fine to make "bold claims," as she says she will do, but support them with proper sourcing. Having said that, there are times when I feel she has as clear an understanding of the politics--particularly the machinations that led to Dante's exile under threat of death--as anyone I've read.

Fine analysis of Dante's Commedia.

For those who travel with Dante, this is a delightful companion. Energetic but tightly written. Would that others would have such wisdom and grace at such an age!

"The Inferno" became more interesting than ever!

I've near completed the paperback version of this book and that for me is a very good sign! The critiques of the hardcover version of this book are far too harsh and I have found it to be a useful and sufficiently engaging work to merit attention. Yes it is a mix of biography and analysis of much of Dante's lifes work - but in a way that is what makes it an interesting read. Reynolds tries to place what might have been going on in Dante's life with his period of writing specific pieces. By definition at about 450 pages it does not get into great detail in any one area of his works but something like a stone skipping on a lake, gives a quick flight past. Even so, it is not without merit and I certainly picked up things I was not previously aware of. Her walk through of the Purgatorio is especially helpful as I've always found the Garden of Eden portion difficult to fathom. As to her theory - who hasn't in reading the Commedia not thought of its similarity in ways to an LSD trip or some such. In fact the book title is very true to its content. Easy a 4/5.

I've near completed the paperback version of this book and that for me is a very good sign! The critiques of the book are far too harsh and I have found it to be a useful and sufficiently engaging work to merit attention. Yes it is a mix of biography and analysis of much of Dante's lifes work - but in a way that is what makes it an interesting read. Reynolds tries to place what might have been going on in Dante's life with his period of writing specific pieces. By definition at about 450 pages it does not get into great detail in any one area of his works but something like a stone skipping on a lake, gives a quick flight past. Even so, it is not without merit and I certainly picked up things I was not previously aware of. Her walk through of the Purgatorio is especially helpful as I've always found the Garden of Eden portion difficult to fathom. As to her theory - who hasn't in reading the Commedia not thought of its similarity in ways to an LSD trip or some such. In fact the book title is very true to its content. Easy a 4/5.

Reading Peter Hawkins' "Dante: a Brief History" helps to clarify the problem with this book. The author tries both a) to write an intellectual biography of Dante and b)to offer a detailed precis of the Commedy. But she deals with these subjects concurrently, so that if you bought the book to read about the Comedy you end up slogging through endless(not literally, but it feels so) pages of biography, and story of the intellectual genesis of Vita Nuova and the two great, unfinished Latin essays Dante abandoned to write the Comedy. I felt great guilt fast-forwarding through this part, but that did not ultimately deter me. And once she gets going with the Comedy, she feels the need to stop between cantica and update us as to the events in Dante's life. Hawkins is much more sparing on biographical detail (which he restricts to a single chapter) and his comments on the Comedy (which appear in a separate chapter) and he from there offers two more essays and that's that. Dr. Reynolds' is presentation is more sprawling, detailed and less well-organized. But it is a good book. I even like her theory about the identity of the "Greyhound" in the first canto of the Inferno. While I admit that there are better books available on the subject, I can not fathom giving it only one star, nor can I give it five.

A simply fantastic book, its a joy and a marvel to read. So full of detail and written by a Lady who is a Master of her subject. Simply indispensable to anyone wishing to enrich themselves on this subject.

This book is a must for all readers of Dante and students of Italian literature and/or medieval literature. Very well organised and written in a clear style.

I wanted a book which would give me not just more comments on the Divine Comedy, but a readable account of the life and other works of Dante. It did just that.

Love the book - shame about the bending damage to the rear cover

Writing a biography on Dante is akin to writing one on Shakespeare. Not much primary source data exists on either subject so, at times, the author is forced to put forward speculation rather than actual fact. Having said that, you get the sense that, judging by her wealth of knowledge and her authoritative voice, that Barbara Reynolds is the best person for the job.Her biography on Dante is holistic to the point of being definitive. She explores and explains the historical context of Dante's world and beliefs, his relationship with Beatrice and his creative output. You won't need to read another biography of Dante for a while because all you need is right here.I say biography but Barbara Reynolds' book sits on the fence somewhere between biography and literary criticism. Reynolds knows, and loves, her subject to such an extent that her enthusiasm becomes infectious.It's well written and easy to get into. It is an academic triumph.