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.
