Like many people, I don’t like reading. I know the information or storytelling in books is great, but my attention span only lasts so long. The only books that ever made me want to read more were Dr. Seuss books, the “Captain Underpants” series and “The 39 Clues.” Reading always felt more like a chore than something I actually enjoyed doing.
Later in life, I was told reading was extremely important, but I could never find the motivation to do it. So instead, I decided to try an audiobook. While scrolling through different genres, I came across Dante Alighieri’s “Dante’s Inferno.” I was already somewhat familiar with the story because I used to play the PlayStation 3 video game based on it.
The story jumps right in, throwing you into a dark, intense journey without wasting time.
That fast start is what hooked me. There was no long introduction or boring setup, it felt like I was dropped straight into the action. From that moment, I actually wanted to keep listening instead of forcing myself through it.
I was imagining myself right next to Dante through his every action.
What makes “Dante’s Inferno” stand out is how vivid the story feels. Even through audio, I could picture every level of Hell clearly. Each circle is different, and every step that goes deeper gets more disturbing. Instead of turning me away, it made me even more interested.
I kept thinking it couldn’t get worse, but it always did. The constant buildup made it exciting.
The character Virgil is another reason the story works so well. He guides Dante and keeps situations from feeling completely chaotic. While everything around them is intense, Virgil stays calm and focused. This balance makes the journey easier to follow.
Dante himself also feels real. He isn’t fearless or perfect, but instead reacts with fear, confusion and emotion. That made me connect to him more and stay invested in what he was going through.
The story also felt personal in a surprising way. Dante includes real people in the punishments, which adds meaning. It doesn’t feel random or written purely for entertainment; it instead feels like there are deeper messages behind everything.
The pacing is another strong point. There’s always an event happening, and nothing feels dragged out. Every circle introduces a new topic and keeps the story moving. I never felt bored or distracted while listening.
Before I knew it, I had listened way longer than I planned; I kept wanting to know what came next. This feeling is rare for me when it comes to books, but it made the experience even more enjoyable overall.
By the time Dante reached the deepest parts of Hell, I was fully invested. The tone gets darker and more intense, and instead of losing interest, I wanted even more. I needed to see how it all ended.
Overall, “Dante’s Inferno” changed how I look at reading. It showed me that a story can grab my attention if it’s done right. I went in expecting nothing and came out wanting more, and for someone like me, that says everything.
