THE DIVINE COMEDY

When Dante loses his way on the path of life, he finds himself on a journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven. Just as the poet Virgil and his beloved Beatrice lead Dante through the afterlife, narrator Pam Ward takes the listeners through the awe-inspiring cantos of this work. She gives voice to the array of characters, skillfully portraying both tortured souls and angelic spirits. Ward especially conjures the sorrow in THE INFERNO in her delivery of the dialogue between Dante and those suffering. One can hear the pain in their voices. Virgil speaks in a grave, raspy voice that simultaneously expresses his wise yet burdened awareness. Ward relishes the poetic language, reading clearly and emphatically. This brilliant work could prove daunting to any narrator, but Ward tackles it with grace and alacrity. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2009]