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NAME Matthew Pearl
E-MAIL see "About the Author"
URL http://www.matthewpearl.com

COMMENTS

 Thanks so much for stopping by my guestbook! This is a place where you can just let me know you've been by, or post comments or questions about The Dante Club. I really appreciate your support. This is a new guestbook since the other two filled up - but you can still see them by clicking on the "view past messages" buttons at the bottom of the page.

(Please note, this is NOT a place for general discussions about Dante. For that, please go to the Dante Discussion Forum. Thanks for coming!)
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Brooklyn, NY (temporarily)
DATE Saturday, June 12th 2004 - 07:12:40 AM

NAME Zita B. Knific

COMMENTS

 What a delightful insight into the personal side of poets I have read since childhood! You have made these American Greats come alive.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Ohio
DATE Saturday, June 12th 2004 - 07:22:48 AM

NAME H. Satoh

COMMENTS

 I enjoyed the book thoroughly, remembering the time when I was struggling through at a year-long college senior seminar on Dante, appreciating also that the fact that I could appreciate the novel as one who had gone through Hell... Wonderful reminder that Dante is a phenomenal poet. Thank you for bringing it back to LIFE!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE London
DATE Saturday, June 12th 2004 - 09:23:56 PM

NAME Eathan

COMMENTS

 Hi,
Thats a interesting site.
Good Day from germany
Eathan
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Germany/Ulm
DATE Thursday, June 17th 2004 - 08:44:20 AM

NAME Vanessa O'Rourke

COMMENTS

 Woderful book! It kept me guessing until the end (and I still didn't guess the right person!!). Can't wait for you're next book.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Michigan
DATE Friday, June 18th 2004 - 11:44:11 PM

NAME Paul Darnbrough

COMMENTS

 Excellent book; consumed with vigour whilst holidaying in Greece. Reminescent of Arthur Conan Doyle's style, but with a real insight into the influence of literature on a developing society.
Looking forward to the next book!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Scotland
DATE Monday, June 21st 2004 - 08:49:30 AM

NAME Charlotte Perkins

COMMENTS

 I am about a third of the way into your wonderful mystery. It would be a good book even if you had made up the characters. With all the Harvard lore and the Fireside Poets, it's even better. My knowledge of Dante is sketchy, but I have not found that a handicap in enjoying and following the story. Please write more.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE GA
DATE Monday, June 21st 2004 - 01:10:20 PM

NAME Giovanni

COMMENTS

 Ho letto il libro dalla patria di Dante...è un'emozione unica...grazie per portare alto il nome del Poeta
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE ITALIA
DATE Monday, June 21st 2004 - 03:49:12 PM

NAME barbara mulligan

COMMENTS

 Our book club (14 Unfinished Women) just finished reading Dante Club. It was spine-tingling, heart-stopping and definitely nightmare material. We all loved it! We cannot wait for Matthews next book. Loved Boston during that era.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Weymouth Ma
DATE Tuesday, June 22nd 2004 - 09:59:01 AM

NAME Ginamarie

COMMENTS

 As an avid reader of true-crime I was hesitant to pick-up this book but in the end I am glad I did. With each page I read I found it more and more difficult to put the book down.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Mamaroneck, NY
DATE Thursday, June 24th 2004 - 06:46:01 PM

NAME isabel álvarez-pedrosa

COMMENTS

 Congratulations for an excellent webpage, not very common searching information about books.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE asturias-spain
DATE Monday, June 28th 2004 - 07:20:45 AM

NAME Anthony Reetz

COMMENTS

 Only about half way through the book but I am thrilled by it. Great work.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Michigan
DATE Tuesday, June 29th 2004 - 09:38:01 AM

NAME Dennis

COMMENTS

 Just finished reading the book. i though it was great. because of your book i am now going to read more longfellow and the divine comedy. your book was highly addiciting. i could not put it down.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE La Habra, CA
DATE Thursday, July 1st 2004 - 10:35:09 PM

NAME Sylvain Gendron

COMMENTS

 I have just finished reading The Dante Club. It is difficult to choose what is most extraordinary about this novel. Historical characters living an imagined adventure that is both wild and coherent. A solid, detailed recreation of a key period in U.S. history. Riveting storytelling and Dante’s poetry overlooking the ensemble. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Montreal, Quebec
DATE Monday, July 5th 2004 - 09:25:47 PM

NAME Jean Metzker

COMMENTS

 This is some of the finest writing that I hsve seen in a long time. The unraveling of the story in this beautiful prose was a delight. I often underlined sentences that were especially wonderful saying familiar things in unique ways. Thank you so much for your will and tenacity to write.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE New York City
DATE Tuesday, July 6th 2004 - 09:51:07 PM

NAME Jane Garvey

COMMENTS

 Loved this book - you brought this old English Major back to the classics - ordered the translation halfway through the book and can't wait to dig in!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Palo Alto, CA
DATE Friday, July 9th 2004 - 03:17:50 PM

NAME M. Fennell

COMMENTS

 I just finished the book. I read The Divine Comedy again just before reading this book and I am thankful this title spurred me back to poetry I love.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Colton
DATE Saturday, July 10th 2004 - 05:24:27 AM

NAME Paul Dunne

COMMENTS

 Well done Matthew Pearl !! A terrific read. Having studied Dante at University here in England, i was drawn immediately to the title of the book and took it away with me on holiday. Reading such a novel in the sweltering north African heat only added to the intensity of the read. Sublime stuff.
Surely a filmed version is in the pipeline ?
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Manchester, England
DATE Tuesday, July 13th 2004 - 07:15:25 AM

NAME J. Marshall

COMMENTS

 I picked up this book in the airport on the way to a vacation in Boston, and read it during the week. It was fun to read the book while actually in the city that is its setting. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and look forward to reading any further novels by Matthew Pearl.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Chicago
DATE Monday, July 19th 2004 - 04:19:39 PM

NAME Javier Miranda-Mallea

COMMENTS

 Smart and well-developed history. I have been delighted with everyone of the 464 pages of the spanish edition. A fully-recommendable book. Hope to hear from the author again soon.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Valencia, Spain
DATE Tuesday, July 20th 2004 - 06:21:49 PM

NAME Moon Eunyoung
URL http://winipop.egloos.com

COMMENTS

 I read the book, being full of interest. The story is quite unique and creative, I think. The only thing what I felt uneasy is its translation. I read the Korean version, and some parts were crude, maybe because of poor translation.
DATE Wednesday, July 28th 2004 - 04:04:38 AM

NAME Marcia Daniel

COMMENTS

 Excellent book! I loved that you didn't just include factual details about the poets, but included their personalities and mannerisms as well. What thorough work!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Lake Charles, Louisiana
DATE Wednesday, July 28th 2004 - 09:55:50 PM

NAME Ann M Saline
DATE Sunday, August 1st 2004 - 09:01:30 PM

NAME Laura mantilla

COMMENTS

 You can be sure that here in Colombia, South America) you definitively have a fan. What a book!! Fantastic.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
DATE Tuesday, August 3rd 2004 - 09:36:21 PM

NAME Angelo De Freitas

COMMENTS

 Muito obrigado pelo excelente livro. Não posso esperar para ler o seguinte livro de Matthew. É surpreendente o ritmo da narração.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Brasil
DATE Wednesday, August 4th 2004 - 01:31:34 PM

NAME Ariel Tacher

COMMENTS

 If only all novels were so good...
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Mexico City
DATE Friday, August 6th 2004 - 01:00:14 AM

NAME Suzy Wellman

COMMENTS

 Your book was a real treat to read. Historical fiction is my favorite along with misteries.I have recently moved from Chicago where I was a member of a really fun book club. However, we only read dead authors. But, we did have the opportunity to talk about Oliver Wendal Holmes, I'm glad I have a more personel view of him now. I look forward to reading Lowell, and Longfellow. Thank you.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Hemet, CA
DATE Saturday, August 7th 2004 - 06:54:33 PM

NAME Sue Moore

COMMENTS

 I thoroughly enjoyed The Dante Club. I have always enjoyed historical fiction, esp. that which leads me to read more actual history. I look forward to following the pathways set up here by Matthew Pearl. I have visited Boston and environs but now have even more reason to return for further exploration. Longfellow is, of course, one poet read early but I had no idea he was literal in Italian.

Oddly, I think, this novel might have enjoyed better success if not for the similar sounding Da Vinci Code. I have read that one, but consider this one superior in characterization.

CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Alviso, CA
DATE Tuesday, August 10th 2004 - 11:32:05 AM

NAME Sergio Di Iorio

COMMENTS

 In my opinion Matthew Pearl proved to be a great novelist as well as a keen expert in Dante's literature. His novel reminds me of another literary masterpiece: "Il nome della rosa" by Umberto Eco.In both novels I found the same suspense, the same wide knowledge of a subject.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Rome, Italy
DATE Tuesday, August 17th 2004 - 02:44:52 PM

NAME Denis

COMMENTS

 Simply excellent. This is a book I would definitely assign as required reading to my students. I couldn't put it down. Fast paced and addictive.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Buffalo, NY
DATE Thursday, August 19th 2004 - 10:37:27 PM

NAME Anjum Hameed

COMMENTS

 Thoroughly enjoyed the book, the fictional roles of historical characters made it even more palatable to me. I am now looking forward to the author's new work
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Dubai, UAE
DATE Friday, August 20th 2004 - 09:21:33 AM

NAME David

COMMENTS

 Doubt you still check this as you must be in high demand right now, but I wanted to say that I loved this book. Way better than that terribly written Da Vinci Code which has probably eclipsed Dante Club in sales. You have real talent as a writer, and as an actor, I also think this would make a great film.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE NY
DATE Saturday, August 21st 2004 - 01:49:19 AM

NAME Trish Fahy

COMMENTS

 Greetings, My dear book club members. How comes are book club does not go to 1 or 2 am? The Dante club knows how to do it right.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE hampton,NH
DATE Monday, August 23rd 2004 - 04:58:42 PM

NAME Mitchell Badler

COMMENTS

 Congratulations. You made an era and its people, whom we knew only as characters on pages, come to life as you told an interesting story.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE New Rochelle NY
DATE Tuesday, August 24th 2004 - 09:08:12 AM

NAME Joel

COMMENTS

 Im reading it now and think its great.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Salem,Ore
DATE Wednesday, August 25th 2004 - 04:08:32 PM

NAME noobie

COMMENTS

 nice site - great book ....


so far.

I have had an interest in Dante since the Peter Greenaway thing, but being an ignorant Brit, languages have always put me off - and being a Brit have experienced enough misunderstandings due failiings of lingual nuances to make me think that the original language is the original 'sense' - so this dark twist on it's translation is realy quite inspiring.

Don't you know.

Old bean.

And very accessable. It has made me think more positively at the very power of language - it's potential to inspire and terrrify...

and Mr King is nowhere to be seen.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE angel isle
DATE Wednesday, August 25th 2004 - 05:04:40 PM

NAME Frank X Castellano MD

COMMENTS

 Reference is made to Mr. Pearl's commentary on Dante's "La Vita Nuova"(pg 165) , the story of Dante's love for Beatrice
It should be noted that La Vita Nova is note translated in current Italian form of "Nuova"but rather, "Nova° because Dante did not utilize the common Italian, but for the first time what is referred to as ° The Vulgar° since in that epoch, only Latin was employed as the written language, hence to use Italian, was deemed to be ° vulgar° I include theItalian explanation as follows : non traduciamo 'nuova' perchè Dante non utilizzava il comune italiano ma per la prima volta il 'Volgare'.Anche per l'epoca fu uno scandalo, perchè si era soliti usare il latino per la lingua scritta. Il Volgare invece rappresenta l'antenato più prossimo alla nostra lingua contemporanea).
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE New York NY
DATE Thursday, August 26th 2004 - 03:34:17 PM

NAME Ash Clark

COMMENTS

 What a great book! As a high school student trying to find meaning in life, I picked up The Inferno awhile ago and loved it. Just as I was reading Purgatario, I discovered The Dante Club, and loved it also!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Chicago, IL
DATE Friday, August 27th 2004 - 09:27:57 PM

NAME Ella Johns

COMMENTS

 I came to THE DANTE CLUB from a mention in the new biography of Charles C. Calhoun LONGFELLOW, A REDISCOVERED LIFE. I was completly consumed by the book and couldn't put it down. Please write another story. This one was great.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Iowa
DATE Tuesday, August 31st 2004 - 03:27:35 PM

NAME Ella Johns

COMMENTS

 I came to THE DANTE CLUB from a mention in the new biography of Charles C. Calhoun LONGFELLOW, A REDISCOVERED LIFE. I was completly consumed by the book and couldn't put it down. Please write another story. This one was great.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Iowa
DATE Tuesday, August 31st 2004 - 03:35:18 PM

NAME lisa nicholson

COMMENTS

 masterful, brilliant. Thank you for your great work.
It's as though you lived in the same town during the same era. You are an amazing writer, Mr. Pearl
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Oregon
DATE Friday, September 3rd 2004 - 05:23:25 PM

NAME Umberto G. Fadani

COMMENTS

 Great book. What an honor to my most distinguished compatriot.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Bronx, NY
DATE Sunday, September 5th 2004 - 05:16:07 PM

NAME Luis Marletta

COMMENTS

 Excelente trabajo de Matthew Pearl.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Argentina
DATE Sunday, September 5th 2004 - 08:48:14 PM

NAME stanley s.cohen

COMMENTS

 Mr. Pearl has cleverly and enjoyably combined historical fiction with a literary excursion. Am looking forward to his next novel.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Merion, Penna
DATE Monday, September 6th 2004 - 10:04:43 PM

NAME Shannon Richards

COMMENTS

 Great read!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Boston MA
DATE Wednesday, September 8th 2004 - 01:13:33 PM

NAME Tracie Pearson
URL http://Georgetown, Texas

COMMENTS

 This great mystery has inspired me to read Longfellow's interpretation of Dante's Inferno. It has also insipired me to own books by the authors of the Dante Club. Job well done. I look forward to your future works.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Georgetown, Texas
DATE Saturday, September 11th 2004 - 07:13:08 PM

NAME Mike Beard
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE DC
DATE Thursday, September 16th 2004 - 01:33:28 PM

NAME Pamela Escamilla Menchaca
URL http://mamiyasbeck.tk

COMMENTS

 I'm looking forward to your visit yo my country. I bought your book because I had to make a review for my school and I chose it. It's great, and has the exact amount of knowledge and suspense.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE México City
DATE Friday, September 17th 2004 - 08:39:43 PM

NAME sara

COMMENTS

 Hi:i'm an italian student,i'm attending university im Varese. I'm reading the book:i love it.
Have a nice day
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Varese, Lombardia ,Italy
DATE Monday, September 20th 2004 - 02:49:48 AM

NAME Mary Lou

COMMENTS

 Really terrific. Being a bit of an intellectual snob, I didn't see how it could live up to the advance press, but it did, in fact, exceed my expectations. How incredibly annoying that you are so unbelievably accomplished at such an impossibly young age! Best wishes.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE California
DATE Monday, September 20th 2004 - 09:27:42 PM

NAME Gianluca
URL http://www.kinkazzo.bookcrossing.com

COMMENTS

 Ma che bravo scrittore! Congratulations: a book like this comes every 100 years -- I appreciated the Italian perspective immensely, being a Dante aficionado (the Commedia was part and parcel of my Italian school era, with much suffering involved...!)
I'm raring to read more of the same: keep it up, and thanks.
Ciao from an Italo-Australian fan living in Celtic glens.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Lothian
DATE Wednesday, September 22nd 2004 - 09:35:31 AM

NAME Gina Brock Cardwell
URL http://www.GinaAndLinda.com
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Bloomfield, CT
DATE Wednesday, September 22nd 2004 - 01:10:42 PM

NAME Inge

COMMENTS

 I bought your book when I was in London this August. It is very good and your writing style is different, not like most of 21th century writers.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Jakarta, Indonesia
DATE Thursday, September 23rd 2004 - 01:06:37 AM

NAME AKIS

COMMENTS

 very good job!keep going.
i really enjoyed your way of writting!
i will wait for your new book(hope it is on your plans)
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE GREECE
DATE Thursday, September 23rd 2004 - 12:27:59 PM

NAME Richard Twitchell

COMMENTS

 This was my favorite page-turner since The DaVinci Code, and caused in me the same need to spend time completing research on the internet. Although I must admit that the first scenes were gross enough to almost make me move on to something else. I'm glad that I didn't. Now I find myself collecting antiquarian books by the novel's main characters as well as various translations of Dante pre 1900. I'm making a stop at The Olde Manse in Concord next weekend to see what books they may have as well. MAKE ME STOP!!!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Chicago, IL
DATE Wednesday, September 29th 2004 - 05:50:16 PM

NAME M. Kim

COMMENTS

 I've just finished the last page of your book, "The Dante Club". It's original and brillient. Cleverly written!

And reading your book, it reminded me of Agatha Christie. (She's one of my favorite authors.)

But I felt the lack of accuracy in translating English into Korean. This edition is full of errors. I can find missing words or awkwardly translated sentences in every 5 pages.

Maybe Korean translator dind't do her best as much as Mr.Longfellow did in putting the La Divina Commedia into English. ^^;

Your work deserves a better translation!!!

Anyway I'd like to thank you for giving me a happy time with Dante. I look forward to your next novel.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Korea
DATE Thursday, September 30th 2004 - 09:22:16 AM

NAME Ashley Donnan

COMMENTS

 After reading His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, I became extremely interested in theology in literature, especially Milton's 'Paradise Lost.' When I saw the Dante Club in the bookshop I decided to find out whether Milton could stand up against the dreat DANTE.
He couldn't. As said in the book somewehere, Milton's hell is wild and spontaneous, however Dante's hell is structured and organised, with everyone in their place, much more like the real world.
Thanks for writing this book, it has opened up worlds for me.
Your newest fifteen-year-old fan,
Ashley.

Slán.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Northern Ireland
DATE Friday, October 1st 2004 - 02:31:08 PM

NAME sule tarakcioglu

COMMENTS

 I am still reading "The Dante Club". I havent finished yet. But the book is so interesting and also I recommend the book to all of my friends. Thanks for sharing this novel with us. Congratulations :)
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Ankara-TURKIYE
DATE Monday, October 4th 2004 - 05:30:52 AM

NAME Tyler
URL http://apocalypticpeace.deviantart.com

COMMENTS

 I would just like to say that, even though I'm not completely finished reading your book, that it is one of the best books I've ever read and I read quite a lot. I've been in love with Dante for a few years now and I can't stop wanting to read The Divine Comedy over and over. I was even nicknamed Dante once in middle school because that's all I read. Wasn't that long ago. Since I'm only 16. But anyway, yeah-_- Your book is magnificent.

P.S. Dunno about my site =\ it has my poetry on it but it was the only one I had *shrugs* if you or anyone wants to read it welcome to it. Surely no one has the time. That's all =\
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Tennessee
DATE Thursday, October 7th 2004 - 05:31:08 PM

NAME Kathy Ward

COMMENTS

 I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I was a bit skeptical at first, especially as I am a big fan of the authors represented in the story. My biggest complaint--that the book ended. I really enjoyed it, and the book made me want to not only re-read Dante, but also Longfellow, et al.It was also fun for me as I live in the Boston area. Thank you for a fabulous story.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE MA
DATE Monday, October 18th 2004 - 01:27:37 PM

NAME Philippe GUILLERMIN

COMMENTS

 Thank you for this story,I was a little afraid before reading it cause of my recent disappointment about another italian subject: DA VINCI CODA but you give me pure moments of reading!
Merci beaucoup
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Montfrin, south of France
DATE Tuesday, October 19th 2004 - 12:15:36 PM

NAME Sam

COMMENTS

 I have just finished reading your book and I loved it.I have never read anything by Dante or even really heard of him...until now. I am coming to Boston and staying in Cambridge in November and cannot wait to see all the places I have read about. Thank you.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE London/ England
DATE Wednesday, October 20th 2004 - 06:13:34 AM

NAME Linda Morecraft-Trump

COMMENTS

 An exemplary tale and breath-taking "new" genre! Wish I'd had this book in college. I am recommending this to every English major and American Lit teacher I know~! What a way to teach the classics!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Dickinson, Texas
DATE Wednesday, October 20th 2004 - 03:12:29 PM

NAME Irini

COMMENTS

 I just couldn't put it down!!! Great book, full of mystery and surprises until the very last page!!! It seems that in some cases, even nowdays, humanity appears to be so stuck on tradition that even a step forward must be made in a way that nobody gets annoyed...
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Athens, Greece
DATE Friday, October 22nd 2004 - 05:08:03 AM

NAME ali

COMMENTS

 i am so very glad that i read such a...mmhh..nothing can introduce that feeling.but i am sad that i wont be able to please another book for a long time.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE selcuk-turkey
DATE Sunday, October 24th 2004 - 05:48:10 AM

NAME Barýþ

COMMENTS

 I began to read this novel about two weeks ago and it has been taking me to the deepness of labirents of human beign that nake us notice that anyone can keep his/her violance inside,anyway...

I have been reading ...and will read...

Thanks to the Writer...
DATE Monday, November 8th 2004 - 09:57:02 AM

NAME melanie

COMMENTS

 the dante club is one of the best books known to mankind. mathew pearl has my applause.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE california
DATE Monday, November 15th 2004 - 06:04:21 PM

NAME Jeff Reynolds

COMMENTS

 What a great book!! I've never read Dante, but I am definitely intrigued. Truly a masterpiece - thanks!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Hopkinton, MA
DATE Saturday, November 20th 2004 - 10:59:00 PM

NAME Concetta
E-MAIL Duval

COMMENTS

 An absolutely wonderful story--full of suspense and mystery and peopled by wonderful historic characters! It has reawakened my interest in Dante, in Longfellow, and in Boston after the Civil War. Great tale, weaving the real and the fanciful. Terrific accomplishment: thanks to M. Pearl for giving this gift to us.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Winchester, MA
DATE Friday, November 26th 2004 - 05:30:02 PM

NAME Cory Rutz

COMMENTS

 Great book. Loved the history, loved the literature, loved the mystery. Though it takes place in the 1800's, it still makes me think of home during my stay in Korea. Thanks
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Songnam, South Korea
DATE Sunday, November 28th 2004 - 11:34:16 PM

NAME kyriakoula lemos

COMMENTS

 JUST ORDERED THE BOOK AND LOOKING FORWARD TO READING IT.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE ATHENS,GREECE
DATE Thursday, December 2nd 2004 - 11:30:06 AM

NAME Michael Gates

COMMENTS

 I think, "Wow" will suffice
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Miami Beach, FL
DATE Saturday, December 4th 2004 - 04:53:02 AM

NAME gewrgia xanthakoy

COMMENTS

 i want some informations about 7 deadly sins .if someone knows anything especially from dantes inferno....emily
p.s the book the dantes club is just perfect
DATE Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 08:22:08 AM

NAME Monique

COMMENTS

 I first read the Divine Comedy and when I read The Dante Club I was amazed on how the author pulled of those punishments together like that. It's a fabulous read!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Indiana
DATE Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 11:18:49 AM

NAME Louise Coad

COMMENTS

 I really enjoyed this book! I have lately found very little time to read, so to be able to pick up a book and read it was fun! It was a sincere open look into people's lives of 1865 Boston...not too heavy but then again not too light, so I was able to read it and actually enjoy it. It was a book I picked up in the library having heard nothing of it before.....I'm glad I did!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Auckland, New Zealand
DATE Tuesday, December 7th 2004 - 11:53:41 PM

NAME nathalie

COMMENTS

 je viens de finir votre livre et je n'arrive pas à en sortir. D'ailleurs je pense relire assez rapidement la Divine Comedie. Bravo j'aime votre manière d'écrire!...
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE PARIS , FRANCE
DATE Tuesday, December 21st 2004 - 07:56:42 AM

NAME melanie

COMMENTS

 I am only 13 and I read books as great as The Dante Club. This novel has the very essence most readers look for. Im hooked on this book. It is excellent, a work of art.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE long beach, califronia
DATE Friday, December 24th 2004 - 04:42:31 PM

NAME melanie

COMMENTS

 Mathew Pearl,
I already know that I've signed this guestbook book twice, but there is still much more I have so say. I am probably your youngest reader, I am 13 and I have read many of Anne Rice's books and lots of historical fiction novels. One day in my history class, someone was reading The Dante Club. My history teacher picked it up from his desk and said "This is one of the best novels I've ever read". So I went to Borders bookstrore and got a copy of your story. I lovereading your novel and I look forward to the next one. Many great authors (including you) have inspired me to become a great writer. I am grateful that in this world there are many books to feed my imagination, inspire me and make me want to write to my full potential. When I am older, I would like to pursue my dream and become a great author so that I can do what I love most and inspire people like you have for me. I want people to hold my writing in their hands and say to themselves " Wow I never knew novels could be so great and inspiring. I want to create something just like this". Mr. Pearl, I am so happy there are authors like you, without great writers our world would be a dull and miserable place. May authors after your time be as great of a writer that you have become.
Your youngest Fan, Melanie
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Long Beach, California
DATE Friday, December 24th 2004 - 05:02:13 PM

NAME Chad Charles

COMMENTS

 Mr. Pearl:

I must admit that I didn't know much about Dante before your novel and must further admit that I don't know much now except what you have taught me. I am intrigued and plan to further my humble knowledge by researching his work further. Thank-you for your gift and please continue to use it for benefiting others.

Sincerely,

Chad Charles
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Cincinnati, Ohio
DATE Sunday, December 26th 2004 - 11:09:49 PM

NAME Fernando Abúndez

COMMENTS

 Es altamente gratificante que alguien tan joven se involucre de esta forma en la cultura y nos motive al resto de los lectores a buscar mas en lo que creemos a sido ya dicho.
Saludos a todos los lectores
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Moyotepec Mexico
DATE Tuesday, December 28th 2004 - 11:00:36 AM

NAME Donna

COMMENTS

 Thank you for such an enjoyable book. I couldn't put it down until finished, which created a bit of eye strain, but what the heck. The characters really came to life in Boston after the Civil War. I haven't read "Inferno", but will give it a try. Thanks again.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE New Orleans, LA
DATE Tuesday, December 28th 2004 - 11:59:16 PM

NAME Ivan
URL http://web.tiscalit.it/falcohome

COMMENTS

 I haven't finished it yet but I like this novel. I don't know if the idea of a murder (maybe they are more than one even if it seems that the scholars believe the contrary) that kills as in Dante's hell is original but of course it is really gripping. And being from Italy it is a quite familiar subject as The Divine Comedy is yet taught in the schools.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Italy
DATE Wednesday, December 29th 2004 - 12:28:26 PM

NAME Louise

COMMENTS

 I'm a French speaker. So, it's in his French translation that I'm discovering "Le cercle de Dante", "The Dante Club". I enjoy a lot this type of novel. I can learn about Dante and in the same time, discover the life in Boston in the mid XIXth century.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DATE Thursday, December 30th 2004 - 12:58:19 PM

NAME Brieanna

COMMENTS

 Oh my goodness! What a book! At first, my teachers were sceptacle of a girl my age (14) reading and understanding this book. It ALMOST stopped me! =) I have NO regrets reading this book and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it.

P.S. Even better... my horses name is Dante!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Eugene, Oregon
DATE Sunday, January 2nd 2005 - 10:35:46 PM

NAME Nancy

COMMENTS

 An amazing journey into the late 1800's of Boston. I thank you for writing this spectacular glimpse into a bygone era.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Zuni, NM
DATE Tuesday, January 4th 2005 - 12:04:34 PM

NAME Cathy

COMMENTS

 What can mere words say? Longfellow, Fields, Lowell and the beloved Holmes, this book bring such charactors alive and makes you feel a part of their circle. Silly, I almost feel bad at the end of the book, for everytime I feel like I am saying goodbye to my dearest and oldest friends. Bravo! Is there a new book in the making?
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Maine
DATE Thursday, January 6th 2005 - 08:18:19 PM

NAME fred

COMMENTS

 I'm french and I like your book! I learned a lot of things about 19e century in Boston, american poets and Dante... Thank you for this novel... and I'm going to the library to lend La Commedia di Dante.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE france
DATE Saturday, January 8th 2005 - 06:10:34 AM

NAME Patricia

COMMENTS

 I have read so many mystery/crime novels that use a few lines of poetry or quotes from Shakespeare in a transparent attempt to raise the level of the book from pulp to literature. What a treat to read a book that does just the opposite--uses crime to lure the reader into a confrontation with the magnum opus of the western world's greatest poet, Dante, and illuminates the lives and writings of three of America's great men of letters, Longfellow, Holmes and Lowell. I am presenting The Dante Club to my book club this month, and this website has been a great help. Mr Pearl, Bravissimo!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Albuquerque
DATE Sunday, January 9th 2005 - 01:42:53 PM

NAME Mary Ann Paul

COMMENTS

 I've never done this before but I just had to tell you how impressed I was with The Dante Club. To be honest, I did have to start it twice but I became so attached to it that every evening I wanted to get home so that I could return to the world of Boston in 1865. When I originally picked it up, I hadn't realized that it would connect so much to the Civil War, a time period I'm very interested in. I teach high school English and just assigned Cold Mountain to my AP kids last week--perfect timing for finishing up your novel. I do Cantos I, IV, and V of The Inferno with my regular college prep seniors and they always seem to enjoy it and the discussions it evokes. I did bring my copy of your novel to class and shared it with them. Thanks for a novel that is both readable and literary. Mary Ann Paul
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Cambria, CA
DATE Sunday, January 9th 2005 - 09:35:52 PM

NAME Lori
URL http://www.thedanteclub.com

COMMENTS

 I just finished reading The Dante Club, a Christmas gift from my college-age son. This is the first book to capture my attention since reading The Da Vinci Code and The Rule of Four. I could hardly put it down. It was thrilling, suspenseful, captivating and at the same time, created in me such a fondness for the poets and a sense of truly knowing them. I now have a desire to read their works. Thank you for the gift of this delightful book. I can't wait to recommend it to others!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Livermore, CA
DATE Tuesday, January 11th 2005 - 10:55:23 PM

NAME Lucia Conti

COMMENTS

 Il libro mi è piaciuto moltissimo ... mi dispiace solo che qui in Italia, la terra natia di Dante non lo si sappia apprezzare così ...!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Rimini, Italia
DATE Thursday, January 13th 2005 - 02:49:16 PM

NAME Mounir Alaoui

COMMENTS

 Thank you Matthew.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE South of France
DATE Sunday, January 16th 2005 - 08:34:24 AM

NAME sebastien vesterlund nielsen
URL http://www.sebastien.dk

COMMENTS

 Mr. Pearl!
Thank you for bringing me the pleasure of being acquainted with Longfellow and friends - it has been an intellektual joy and a heartwarming experience. Also thank you for making Dante present in my awareness, the club has been an eye-opener and I expect to dive into the commedy later on.
I'll follow your work - please continue!

Sébastien Vesterlund
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Aarhus, Denmark
DATE Monday, January 17th 2005 - 02:02:41 PM

NAME William Florescu

COMMENTS

 A fantastic view into 19th Boston, its writers and culture. As a Unitarian, opera producer,and lover of all things Italian - this book really has it all!
Thank you!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Saratoga Springs, NY
DATE Tuesday, January 18th 2005 - 01:27:16 PM

NAME Randy Maxey

COMMENTS

 I just spent the better part of last weekend devouring your book, and like a good meal, found it very satisfying. The characters came alive with the language contemporaneous to the era. It's a joy that there are writers, such as you, who can put together an enjoyable story without dumbing down the style to fourth grade level. Thanks and keep them coming!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Columbia, SC
DATE Wednesday, January 19th 2005 - 02:40:05 PM

NAME SMS Knott

COMMENTS

 I've never been drawn to fiction written during my own lifetime; however, the title caught my eye one afternoon in an airport bookseller. Going against my usual pessimism toward modern literature, I purchased the book and began reading it on the flight. An hour or so later when my plane landed, I was already so engrossed in the story that I didn't want to leave my seat before finishing. Thank you for bringing some of my favorite poets (Dante Alighieri included)into a story that even my wonderful, yet slightly uncultured husband even enjoyed.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE New Brighton, PA
DATE Friday, January 21st 2005 - 11:46:21 PM

NAME Jonathan Mueller

COMMENTS

 Damn Fine book, I must say. A real tribute to the great Dante himself.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Boston
DATE Saturday, January 29th 2005 - 02:56:35 AM

NAME Susana Aguilar Olvera

COMMENTS

 I must say that The Divine Commedy never read it before Dante's Club, because i didn't know the meanning of that book, but thanks to Dante's club i understand the whole meannig of it. I wish to read more novels like this.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Querétaro, México.
DATE Saturday, February 5th 2005 - 08:51:51 PM

NAME T. Gasparian

COMMENTS

 An incredible book. I had never read the Divine Comedy, but as soon as I finished the Dante Club I read Inferno, and it seemed much more interesting than the excerpts I had read previously in school. Many thanks to Mr. Pearl for making Dante't works more popular and also for creating such a great story of his own.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Danishville
DATE Monday, February 7th 2005 - 08:38:04 PM

NAME Stephanie Bell

COMMENTS

 Just finished this with at 2 am even though I have a raging sore throat - am excited for the next one and for your inspiring me to read more about Dante and the distinguished members of the Dante Club
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Los Angeles, CA - USA
DATE Friday, February 11th 2005 - 05:35:40 AM

NAME Roberta

COMMENTS

 Just blew out an entire weekend readying your great book. Haven't read Dante YET...and am on the way to the library for poetry and Civil War history. Looking forward at all of that and your next book. I kept imagining it in movie form. That would be great, IF they leave it as is.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Seattle WA
DATE Saturday, February 12th 2005 - 10:38:35 PM

NAME jim ewing

COMMENTS

 clever and nicely done. Thanks.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Auburn, CA
DATE Sunday, February 13th 2005 - 10:54:46 AM

NAME Alliethia Ellerbe

COMMENTS

 It was awsome!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Cheraw,29520
DATE Tuesday, February 15th 2005 - 09:13:51 PM

NAME Kenneth D. Harmer Jr.

COMMENTS

 Great books make you think. This book definitely keeps you thinking.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Averill Park, New York
DATE Thursday, February 17th 2005 - 09:50:23 AM

NAME Katie

COMMENTS

 Thank you for writing a wonderfully intellectually stimulating novel. I haven't finished reading it yet but I do not look forward to it's end.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Denver, CO
DATE Friday, February 18th 2005 - 11:21:15 PM

NAME Pamela Wesley Ingber

COMMENTS

 I shall now order Longfellow's Dante translation! Thank you for introducing me to the inner lives and passions of the poets, and a city I love.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Thompson Ridge, New York
DATE Saturday, February 19th 2005 - 10:10:38 AM

NAME alessandra

COMMENTS

 ho appena finito di leggere il libro, e ho dato un occhiata alle versione inglese del primo canto della commedia...fa uno strano effetto!!comunque vivi complimenti all'autore, un libro molto bello!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE verona, Italia
DATE Sunday, February 20th 2005 - 03:37:25 PM

NAME Andrea

COMMENTS

 Fantastic book! Thanks so much!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Chicago, IL
DATE Saturday, March 5th 2005 - 06:38:07 PM

NAME John Snyder

COMMENTS

 Conratulations! A fine book, although I had tough time staying with the novel in the first 75 pages or so...after a while, it became very interesting and well written. The historic content was rich and sometimes overly dense but the setting was very critical to the novel. Characters were sound I have always been a fond follower of Dante's work.
Good luck Mr.Pearl on a briliant beginning.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE brooklyn, ny, 11223
DATE Sunday, March 6th 2005 - 06:39:15 PM

NAME Matthew Marshall
URL http://N/A

COMMENTS

 Thank you for writing such an excellent book. Your style is inspiration for would be writers. It is refreshing to read a great piece from a young mind.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Pryor, Oklahoma
DATE Monday, March 7th 2005 - 07:04:50 PM

NAME mLe

COMMENTS

 nice website mp. i plan to read your book. any thoughts on a good masters creative writing program???
i can't get into harvard. see u in class!!!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE boston, MA
DATE Tuesday, March 8th 2005 - 01:01:19 AM

NAME tim landers

COMMENTS

 i enjoyed the book a lot. i hope to read dante's inferno, the longfellow translation.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE puerto rico
DATE Saturday, April 2nd 2005 - 12:07:35 AM

NAME Indu

COMMENTS

 Iam only half way through and so far it has been a really great read. My awareness of Dante is not so profound but iam still able to enjoy the book thoroughly.
Eager to read your next book.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Virginia, USA
DATE Sunday, April 3rd 2005 - 05:47:19 PM

NAME GBD

COMMENTS

 A great read...just can't stand those untimely interruptions that cause me to put it down. I will finish this one ASAP and anxiously await your next. I am also now stimulated to read Longfellow's translation. The polyploid on N.O.W. is 0.00000 googleplex. And to think that I passed on reading the Comedy while studying biology. Thanks for putting a small portion of it on this website. It makes me want more and more!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Pittsburgh, PA
DATE Tuesday, April 5th 2005 - 09:56:06 PM

NAME Holly

COMMENTS

 The book was phenomenal. I picked it for my two bookclubs which are meeting at my house this month and it was well-received already through emails. I can't wait for the discussions. It was great to read a book with a novel approach to crime and literature--especially tying them together through eloquent language and amazing detail. We want more books from Matthew Pearl!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Albany NY
DATE Wednesday, April 6th 2005 - 12:43:47 PM

NAME Kristian Frost

COMMENTS

 DIVINE!!!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Denmark
DATE Saturday, April 9th 2005 - 03:14:56 PM

NAME Isabel Sledad

COMMENTS

 Cómo agradecer a Mattthew Pearl tan magnífico regalo, qué delicia de lectura, espléndido ejercicio mental. Un verdadero lujo. Muchas felicidades y que Dios te siga bendiciendo. Isabel
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Chihuahua Mexico
DATE Sunday, April 10th 2005 - 05:28:13 AM

NAME Eileen LeFebvre

COMMENTS

 You masterfully made your characters come alive (again). I have never read Dante, but you now make me want to read Longfellow's version. Excellent read!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Redmond, WA
DATE Wednesday, April 13th 2005 - 10:56:31 AM

NAME Vince Scarlata

COMMENTS

 Well done, Matthew! Now I will, once again, read The Inferno. This time while not under pressure of a college professor, but for true enjoyment and with great interest!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Divide, Colorado
DATE Sunday, April 24th 2005 - 03:08:55 PM

NAME abigail

COMMENTS

 clever, intellectually stimulating. congratulations!!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Manila, Philippines
DATE Wednesday, April 27th 2005 - 03:31:11 AM

NAME Paul

COMMENTS

 Midway upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark
But it was great journey with Dante's poem and your book!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Poland, Krakow
DATE Tuesday, May 3rd 2005 - 08:43:01 AM

NAME Tamara

COMMENTS

 I never had heard of Dante until I read THE DANTE CLUB, and I am glad I have. A well written novel and it got me to buy a copy of Dante's Divine comedy as curiosity got the better of me.
Hope you arrange a book signing in England in the near future.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Swindon, UK
DATE Friday, May 6th 2005 - 09:15:19 PM

NAME matthew leone

COMMENTS

 I bought your book to read while on my military deployment. I took Italian in school and we had to read the inferno so I can't wait to dive into your book. I've always been fascinated by Dante.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Providence,RI
DATE Sunday, May 8th 2005 - 09:40:58 PM

NAME Armelle Arnould

COMMENTS

 I have begun the reading of your book yesterday and I have just finished it, without being able to close it before the end... I want to thank you for this amazing story...
I look forward to reading your next book...
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Belgium
DATE Wednesday, May 11th 2005 - 09:10:52 AM

NAME Juan Garisto

COMMENTS

 Me parece unae excelente trama y muy descriptivo al mismo tiempo de todos los personajes; quedas envuelto en la historia y no puedes dejar de leerlo hasta que finalizar.EXCELENT book with a very good history. I am waiting for your next Book.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Panamà
DATE Tuesday, May 17th 2005 - 02:35:35 AM

NAME Dante Benavides

COMMENTS

 Excelente libro, la verdad me encuentro impresionado de la manera como maneja la trama, tiene mi atención al cien por ciento, que hay de cierto en que va a haber pelicula del libro?
Felicidades al autor!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Monterrey, Mexico
DATE Sunday, May 22nd 2005 - 05:56:32 PM

NAME Vicky Zimmer

COMMENTS

 I have not yet finished the book, but it is thoughly enchanting. The images haunt me through the day until I can return. Thank you for opening a new world.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Columbus, Ohio
DATE Tuesday, May 24th 2005 - 04:18:51 PM

NAME Tiago Rocha

COMMENTS

 Hi there!
Congratulations to the Author and to the extensive research done to write such a great novel. I love the characters and the story, so well structured and written, mixing facts and fiction in a way that is absorbing all my free time... I can't stop reading.
Congratulations from PORTUGAL! Keep on going!
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Braga, PORTUGAL
DATE Wednesday, May 25th 2005 - 04:32:49 AM

NAME Anita Ford

COMMENTS

 Myson sent it to me here n Honduras where I live and I enjoyed it immensely. great Web site.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Honduras
DATE Monday, May 30th 2005 - 11:32:29 PM

NAME Jane

COMMENTS

 I walk past Longfellow House and through the streets of Cambridge once or twice a week, and your book, Mr. Pearl, rids me of Crate and Barrel and Urban Outfitters. I can almost hear the clatter of a racing brougham on Brattle, and see the whisper of an undergraduate robe across Harvard Yard. You've put the luminaries of American literature in the streets again, and I thank you.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Somerville, MA.
DATE Tuesday, May 31st 2005 - 07:39:59 PM

NAME Maita Rue
URL http://mermaidarium.blogspot.com

COMMENTS

 The book is thought provoking. I couldn't stop reading. These are one of the few books that inspires me. I salute Matthew Pearl.
DATE Wednesday, June 1st 2005 - 04:48:19 AM

NAME Kimberley B.

COMMENTS

 What a terrific book! I remember as a child when I was "forced" to read those poets' works. Now, as an adult, I think I'll go back and revisit them. An engrossing mystery.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Newark, DE
DATE Wednesday, June 1st 2005 - 12:00:10 PM

NAME Ryan Rademacher

COMMENTS

 _The Dante Club_ was my first book for my summer reading. I am an English major, soon to be Master's student, and each summer I look for books to read that will serve both to challenge (without being TOO head-y) as well as easy to get into and enjoy; _The Dante Club_ served both purposes excellently. An AMAZING first publication: bravo.
CITY, STATE/PROVINCE Peotone, IL
DATE Thursday, June 2nd 2005 - 04:36:51 PM

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