Dante's New Lives

Numerous books have attempted to chronicle the life of Dante Alighieri, yet essential questions remain unanswered. What path did this self-taught Florentine follow to become the celebrated author of the Divine Comedy? Was Dante's exile from Florence so extraordinary? How did Dante make himself the main protagonist in his works, in a literary context that discouraged such a practice? And why has his life captivated the interest of so many readers? In Dante's New Lives, eminent scholars Elisa Brilli and Giuliano Milani provide comprehensive answers to these questions and many more. Their account reappraises Dante's life and work by meticulously assessing archival and literary evidence and examining the most recent scholarship. It is a model of interdisciplinary biography, a compelling blend of fascination and rigour.