For anyone who has read Dante--or who should have read Dante but hasn't--this is a must read. The character development in this novel is worth the read alone. The unique connections to the classic story are amazing. I actually read the book twice. The first was just to enjoy it, the second was to make special note of the connections. This author did a terrific job of paying homage to one of the greats and should be proud of his work! This is a must read!