To Hell and Back: An anthology of Dante's Inferno in English translation (1782–2017)

Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) maintained that translation destroys the harmony of poetry. Yet his Commedia has been translated into English time and again over the last two-and-a-bit centuries. At last count, one-hundred and twenty-nine different translators have published at least one canticle of the Italian masterwork since the first in 1782, and countless more have translated individual cantos. Among them there are some of the finest poets in the English language, including Robert Lowell and the Irish Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney. Smith and Sonzogni have assembled and annotated two complete translations of Dante’s most popular canticle, Inferno, each canto translated by a different translator. To Hell and Back is a celebration of the art and craft of poetry translation; of the lexical palettes and syntactical tempos of the English language; and, of course, of the genius of one of the greatest poets of all times.

Review :
This fascinating book reveals the techniques of the many translators who have attempted to translate Dante. By juxtaposing different versions, the editors shatter the illusion that a translation is nothing more than a pale copy of an original, and show how a creative translator can ensure the survival of a great ancient work. I enjoyed reading this book and deciding which versions I prefer. This Inferno-by-many-hands is a sheer delight, for anyone fascinated by the variable act of translation--or anyone willing to be enchanted by an exciting new approach to a great classic. I can hardly wait to use it in class, the next time I teach world literature! Smith’s and Sonzogni’s volume should help to promote research and discussion about translation of the Commedia as a major feature of British literary culture over the past two-and-a-half centuries. To Hell and Back serves to demonstrate what one writer has called the ‘boundless generosity’, another the ‘versatility’ of Dante’s text; and as one of the blurbs on the back cover foresees, it will be a valuable resource for courses on reception and world literature, usefully complementing the current range of anthologies and surveys. [...] Meanwhile, for researchers, teachers, and readers, translation of the Inferno is the obvious place to start, and this volume offers a rich variety of reasons for going there. ‘Perché venirvi?’ asks Dante. Virgil answers: ‘Perché, perché restai?’- Why wait? Smith’s and Sonzogni’s volume should help to promote research and discussion about translation of the Commedia as a major feature of British literary culture over the past two-and-a-half centuries. To Hell and Back serves to demonstrate what one writer has called the ‘boundless generosity’, another the ‘versatility’ of Dante’s text; and as one of the blurbs on the back cover foresees, it will be a valuable resource for courses on reception and world literature, usefully complementing the current range of anthologies and surveys. This Inferno—there and mercifully back again—is the two-century love story of English and Dante. How joyful we can be at the freedoms English has earned as it has changed nations, periods, accents and decorums: this ultimate post-modern Dante, though it is translation, has all the energy of a primary work: the triumph of a brilliant editorial vision. This anthology provides a rich assortment of exempla that reaffirm the ongoing inspiration of Dante’s poetry. This extremely rich collection of sample translations springs surprises on every page. The ingenuity of individual translators gains relief against the choices of others, the variety of registers and verse forms is astounding, and the book as a whole celebrates the translator’s much undervalued craft.