Dante's Journey

An interesting trip through Hell, with just a little lesson to think on.

Joe Dante is a Boston PD who is hot on the trail of a drug dealer, Filippo Argenti, whom Joe feels is responsible for the death of his daughters and wife. But, finds himself in Hell, or is told so by a man named Virgil. Virgil tells Joe he is there to help Joe through Hell and hints that he does not belong here. But Joe thinks Virgil must be a little crazy for thinking they are in Hell, as he is hot on the trail of Argenti. Joe goes to the ends of Hell, seeing different sins and the torment of the sins and even helps a few people along the way while trying to find his family's killer. While on his journey for vengeance, Joe helps a few people learn of and how to help themselves. On this journey Joe starts to think on the sins he sees and in talking with the ones he helps, starts to see or learn...

Dante's Journey is based off of the classic, Divine Comedy. I thought, at first, some of the sins where not really sins to justify what the people had to live with for eternity. Then I reminded myself how this story is in a different time, 1960's, and the sins where different then. Boy have things changed. I also realized as Joe talked to these people and went through his journey, that it wasn't necessarily what they did as it was how they felt about it and not admitting to the guilt that placed them where they were. And even though Joe is from 1960's he is told repeatedly that time moves differently in Hell. You start to see that time is moving faster in the "real world" as opposed to Joe's time in Hell because the author uses many major events in American history - both distant and closer past times - to bring the story to us.

You get the current story of Joe going through Hell and learning many things. But you also learn of the past, what ended Joe here in Hell, through memories and flashbacks. As the journey in Hell moves forward from where Joe starts in Hell, you also get the story of Joe and his family before he died through to where he dies. It is almost like two stories that meet in the end.

The journey is a straight forward one that I enjoyed, I didn't have to keep notes and I enjoyed that. This read is not a lot of action but more a journey to find one's true self and even beliefs and faith. I have to say I Loved the irony in all the torments in Hell with the relation to the crimes. At times I thought Joe was a little narrow minded or childish-like, BUT I do understand he had one thing on his mind, and well if the same person kept showing up as being the one the fingers pointed to as the killer of my whole family. Well, I would probably track him down in Hell as well with nothing but sweet revenge on my mind.

In the end, it was a fun read and I do have to say I liked how the journey made me think on what we do to others and ourselves. And Virgil... I was suspicious of him through the book. Why was he to help Joe through Hell? I just wasn't to sure about him, but in the end I enjoyed the way his character played out. There was usage of religious thoughts along with some sensitive issues of the past years. I think there is more to the book than just a quick read and be done with it. This is also a read that is different from my other fantasy reads. It's not a story with magic, good and evil. This is a different angle through Hell.

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Bridget's Review

I was instantly hooked to Dante's Journey. I became so wrapped up in it that everything around me ceased to exist. It's a brilliant book, a true masterpiece. I loved every minute of it!

A classic remade for today's reader

After Detective Joe Dante's family is murdered, Joe will go to any lengths to catch the murderer and find justice, even if that means following the killer into the depths of Hell.

In 1961, Joe steps off the streets of Boston and into the first circle of Hell. A mysterious tour guide, Virgil, attempts to get Joe to realize he's dead and take him where he belongs, but Joe is hell-bent (literally!) on finding Argenti, the murderer of his family.

Dante's Inferno has been one of my favorite books since I was a child. As soon as I heard about Marino's book, I knew I had to get my grubby little hands on a copy. When you're renewing a classic, it's pretty tricky and few can pull it off. In this case though, Marino is definitely a winner.

Different Dantes, different stories. That doesn't really cover it though. The basic premise of the story is the same. Dante takes a trip through Hell with his guide, Virgil. Both books are full of symbolism and deep thought. Basically, Dante's Journey is a more updated version of Dante's Inferno. Yes, I'm sure Dante is rolling over in his grave if he's reading this, but this is my blog and this is my opinion. The literature factor is definitely still intact. It's not up to par with the original, but it is geared more towards today's reader. The story is definitely more updated. Joe Dante leaves his living life in the early 1960's and his story in Hell spans nearly 50 years. This leaves room for rock stars and Catholic priests in Hell, as well as the original inhabitants.

Overall, this is a fast-paced, thought-provoking ride through Hell. It's not pretty, but it's not supposed to be. It could have been a bit more graphic for my tastes, but I still devoured each and every word. Fans of Dante's Inferno will enjoy that the story is comparable yet different. Those who haven't read Dante's Inferno will love the ride.

Dantes Journey

This was a very interesting read for me as I have not read much urban fantasy. I am however glad to have been able to review this book. Marino has gone a great job in all the twists through out this book. It has everything you would want, thriller, mystery, fantasy, science fiction etc. Joe Dante has a way of speaking and when he talks you want to read what he has to say in his witty way about him. Joe is off on a journey to find the killer who murdered his family. He wakes up in a strange place of course you are going to figure out real quick he is in Hell. No mystery there. I enjoyed reading it as it was a fast paced book for me. The twists keep you on your toes.

Sci-Fi Dante's Inferno!

Dante's Journey is based on Dante's Inferno from the Divine Comedy if you haven't guessed by the name. It's an updated version which takes you through a sci-fi version of hell. One with demons who are simultaneously trapped themselves while they run hell and keep the souls in their punishments. Joe is lead by Virgil as in the original version, but there is a twist. Joe doesn't immediately trust him or anyone else at that time. We also don't know Virgil's true reason for ushering Joe through hell or who exactly Virgil is in this story. Joe, unlike the character in the Inferno, is dead. Unfortunately, Joe can't even imagine that he is dead and only has one goal and thought, to find Argenti, the man who killed his family. This singular thought keeps him on his journey through the levels of hell. As Joe travels through hell, he is transformed through truth, memories and running for his soul. This journey helps him find what is really important to him.

This was a fast and interesting read. Although it has been a long time since I read the Inferno, I enjoyed comparing what I remembered with the updated twists and turns of Marino's version. I also enjoyed the ride through hell in itself. The punishments are those of the damned's own making instead of being sentenced by an all knowing power. So, the irony of the punishments were interesting on it's own. My only criticism of this book is also something I appreciated as well. The author made hell more of a place where anyone no matter what their beliefs or religion could go. It wasn't because they were of a different religion, but because they sinned against their own beliefs and religion. So, I was glad to see that they weren't punished just because they believed differently, and I appreciated that a lot. However, since this was based on more of a Catholic book and the main character was Catholic, I think it would have been better to keep it within the Christian and Catholic realm. One reason is because not all religions believe in hell and the symbolisms could stay consistent for the main character since it was his own journey through hell we were following.

I give this book 4 stars. I think this is a great book for discussion. I think it is an interesting concept that hell is one of our own making. I think it could really springboard some interesting discussion from many points of view.

Fun ride through Hell

Thought this was a great book, definitely recommended. Full Review here: http://onlythebestscifi.blogspot.com/2010/05/review-dantes-journey-by-jc-marino_27.html

You will not want to put it down

J.C. Marino has written a gripping tale that will leave you looking for more. There are enough twists and turns to keep you off balance, yet unsure of what's around the next corner. You'll appreciate, become frustrated with, and finally understand and root for Joe Dante on this epic journey. A well written fantasy roller coaster that you'll want to ride again and again. I look forward to Argenti's Journey.

Exciting plot. A creative spin on a classic tale.

Having read Dante's Inferno many years ago I really enjoyed this updated, altered and very accessible version. The author does a great job of mixing humor and serious self introspection into the story as he takes us deeper and deeper into hell. As with Dante's Inferno, I came away re-evaluating how I live my life. The book forces us to look in the mirror and reflect upon the various vices and modes of behavior that we adopt over the course of our life and the impact those actions have upon others. A thought provoking and entertaining book. I highly recommend.

Fantastic book

An excellent book. Well written with the dialog truly fitting of the characters time period(a 1960's Boston detective)Great plot and spiritual insights. A different perspective on Satan and his mission.This book should be a selection in a book club. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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