Inferno, The Norton Library Taoism 'Unsettling and original'

'Unsettling and original'

Alain de Botton brings his trademark powers of insight to what most of us do all day- work

conflict and the English character

enshrined in law

wizards and monsters

Inferno, The Norton Library Taoism 'Unsettling and original'Michael Palma's translation of theInfernoreproduces in contemporary English Dante's intricate triple rhymingterza rimaform, defying the conventional wisdom of literary commentators who long argued that it simply cannot be done. This spectacular feat of poetic artistry "accurate admirably clear, and readable" (Richard Wilbur) "in capturing the sense, sound, and spirit of the original comes close to perfection" (X. J. Kennedy).