B (After Dante)

In his baroque reimagining of Dante's Divine Comedy, Ned Denny creates nine hundred 144-syllable stanzas that are both tender and brutal, rooted in sacred doctrine and focused on the modern world. This version is a living, breathing Dante for our times, making Hell seem savage and Heaven sublime.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 348 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2021
Publisher: Carcanet Press Ltd

As dusk settled upon the world, the sky took on a serene blue hue, casting a gentle glow upon the earth. The air was filled with a soothing melody, as birds perched gracefully in the towering trees and beasts slumbered peacefully in their hidden lairs. Amidst this tranquil atmosphere, I stood alone, surrounded by the hushed silence of the soil and the rustling of the leaves. My heart was filled with a sense of anticipation, for I knew that the war of the way had begun, and the way itself was grappling with a profound grief that demanded my undivided attention.

This poetic reimagining, published to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Dante's passing, was crafted by Ned Denny. His work, the sequel to his acclaimed collection Unearthly Toys, transforms the Divine Comedy into a remarkable composition of nine hundred and forty-four syllable stanzas. With audacity, provocation, and immense readability, Denny's rendition blends sacred doctrine with a keen awareness of the contemporary world. It is a living, breathing Dante for our times, offering a fresh perspective on both hell and heaven.

In this rendition, hell emerges as a savage realm, its inhabitants consumed by their own desires and passions. The divine comedy, once a journey of redemption and ascent, becomes a harrowing descent into the depths of human suffering. On the other hand, heaven becomes a sublime sanctuary, where the souls of the righteous find solace and peace. The lines between good and evil, justice and injustice, are blurred, challenging our preconceived notions and inviting us to explore the intricacies of the human condition.

Denny's poetic language is rich and evocative, painting vivid images that transport the reader to the depths of the divine and human realms. His use of metaphor and symbolism adds depth and layers of meaning to the text, allowing us to see the world through new eyes. This rendition of the Divine Comedy is a testament to the power of poetry to transcend time and speak to the universal human experience.

As we reflect on the 700th anniversary of Dante's passing, Ned Denny's poetic reimagining serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of his work. It invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to confront our own fears and desires, and to seek solace and enlightenment in the face of adversity. Through the lens of Dante's masterpiece, Denny offers us a glimpse of the divine and the human, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all things and the potential for transformation and growth.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 135 x 214 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784109592