Dante's Inferno

This particular edition of the book that has been around for years has both original Latin as well as English text. Although it maintains the original format of a monologue and a poem told from the first person point of view, it can be a challenge to some readers.

With a lot of metaphors and similarities to "Days Past" reference, one can get the gist of what is being said. Dante was a religious poet and set forth to create a story that some say is fact rather than fiction. It chronicles his descent into hell, guided by a mysterious figure by the name of "Virgil".

As they progress through each "Ring" of hell, Dante encounters various people, demons, and sights. Each ring of hell is dedicated to certain types of sinners, ranging from traitors, incest, counterfeit, false master hood, polygamy, conspiracy, and many others. Each ring is guarded and ruled by different creatures such as Minotaur, Furies, Plutos, Giants, and Centaurs to name a few.

The deeper they go, the more and more dangerous it gets, with lakes of fire, twisting craggy paths, rabid demons set on devouring lost souls and loiterers. Even with Virgil as his guide, Dante's safety is not guaranteed. Pretty soon, return to the surface world seems impossible. Dante even comes across a large frozen monster in a block of ice, believed to be either Satan himself, or the Anti-Christ, awaiting Revelations.

A complicated read at times, that may require more than one sitting and even a few breaks here and there, it is an all around enthralling read. With enough detail to paint the bleakness of the underworld, you can't help but wonder if that is how hell really looks and operates. For as Dante and Virgil make their trek, they run into infamous and familiar people along the way - from Brutus who helped conspire and slay Julius Caesar, to Mordred, King Arthur's son and nephew. Each one of these souls suffers an appropriate judgment and sentencing for their crimes in the mortal world. It is eerie and interesting to hear the hearsay of historical and legendary characters in the abysmal pits of hell.

Once finishing the book, you'll want to read it again just to make sure you didn't miss any details and that you fully understand what it was that Dante saw and felt, and how it changed his outlook on religion and mortal living.

Another great book that acts as a "Prequel" to Inferno is "Paradise Lost". It's best to read Inferno first, before you read Paradise Lost, the story of the fall from grace. Some colleagues of mine speak of a third book that Dante wrote, but I have yet to see or read it. If and when I find a copy and read it, I'll be certain to fill you in on that book as well.