Inferno Revealed: From Dante to Dan Brown Hardcover – October 8, 2013

Among the many books about Dante and the Divine Comedy, there is none I can think of that attempts -- and accomplishes -- quite what Parker & Parker set out to do: to provide the public at large with both a way into Dante and his medieval world as well as way into his famous epic by means of adaptations of it from our modern day. The first part of the book smartly draws upon the traditions of explicating the revolutionary autobiographical perspective of Dante’s epic through his biography and offers highly accessible vignettes of key cantos of Inferno by drawing on the vast array of historical commentaries on the poem, yet in both cases without overwhelming the reader with erudition or arcane facts.Already helpful in itself as a guide for first-time or even returning readers of Inferno, it sets up the still more engaging and original second part, which is designed to subtly and effectively bring readers into a deeper awareness of the evolution of Western literary and cultural movements and show how manifestations of the Inferno in popular culture -- in particular Dan Brown's thriller, but also Matthew Pearl's Dante Club, and movies like Se7en and Hannibal, and more -- respond creatively and cleverly to the deeper significance of Dante’s poetic vision.Although professors Parker & Parker are both serious academics and pack a lot of learning into this short volume, they will help you understand and appreciate Dante without making you feel like you’re back in a college English class.

It is written by my dear friend, Deborah, who was a colleague of my late brother, who had published books on Dante, so I will treasure it.

A little repetitive...

great items presented,,fabulous transaction, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED A++++

A small book packed with information. If your interest was piqued by the second part of the title “from Dante to Dan Brown” and you have not read the Inferno lately (or perhaps just pieces or even not at all) this is an excellent read. A bit dense as the authors, Deborah and Mark Parker, do go into lengthy detail concerning the epic poem, so one does not read it all in one sitting or even several. It is not a college course by any means but pay attention, these folks will provide a great deal of insight into Dante’s masterwork.The book is largely concerned directly with the Inferno and its meaning. This is followed by what is called Dante’s Legacy. Discussions as to how later authors and poets used Dante’s style, words and approaches in their own works. In a rather elitist view the Parker’s divide this section into uses in what they call High culture and Popular culture. In this latter the movie “Beetlejuice” is among those examined.At last you come to Dan Brown’s use of the poem both specifically and in nuance. A closing section provides a complete list, with page numbers, of allusions to The Inferno found in Brown’s book and how they are reflected.In the back of the book is thorough timeline of Dante’s life and times, the numbered notes from each chapter (there are not many) and a short bibliography.I suppose one could always ask the question: Is it necessary to that one be familiar with Dante’s Inferno to enjoy Don Brown’s Inferno. That question could be asked about almost any book particularly action adventures. The author is taking you on a journey should not just the presented thrills be enough? I believe the Parkers answer that question very well when they say “...(it) asks us to think about how curiosity, in the most active and wide sense, might change how we read and how we enjoy literature.” I have a large library because I like to reread my books. I now realize that the enjoyment of the re-read occurs because I now know more about the book and my life experiences have expanded and thus the book I read it differently.Therefore I recommend you get Inferno Revealed, let your curiosity be assuaged by a short course in understanding Dante’s Inferno, turn to Dan Brown’s Inferno for a second read and one that will be more fulfilling.

If you want the best guide to the interior secrets of Dan Brown's Inferno, this is it. In his acknowledgements of his sources, Brown gives credit to the World of Dante Web site ([...] The General Editor of the World of Dante, Deborah Parker, is also the co-author of Inferno Revealed: From Dante to Dan Brown. Since Brown's Inferno is based partly on the World of Dante Web site, it is not surprising that Inferno Revealed is a superlative decoder for Brown's novel. As an example of the treasures in Inferno Revealed, it includes a complete list of all references, both obvious and hidden, to Dante's Divine Comedy in Brown's book.But Inferno Revealed is much more than only a guide to Brown's novel. Deborah and Mark Parker are renowned experts on Dante. As T.S. Eliot said, "Dante and Shakespeare divide the world between them; there is no third." What does this mean? For an answer and for an introduction to Dante and his great masterpiece, it is hard to do better than to read Inferno Revealed. Years of study of Dante and his world are distilled in its pages.

I won this through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.We have all had to read, review and analyze The Divine Comedy and specifically Dante, while in college. The author, Deborah Parker, did an excellent job at keeping my attention and making this an absolutely fascinating book to read! There have been so many interpretations of Dante's work, even in the movies we watch today. This book really looks at the link between that and of Dan Brown's Inferno Revealed. After reading this, I think I will now go back and re-read Brown's work!

This book made me wish that the Parkers were members of my book club. They share their erudition in well-written, compelling chapters that sent me back to my old copy of the Inferno. The later chapters on the Inferno's afterlife from Milton to Dan Brown are insightful and, in several cases, surprising. I even enjoyed reading the Chronology; it provides a mini-history of medieval Florence and Dante's place in it. A perfect gift for lovers of Dante past, present or future.