Dante - The Divine Comedy

How am I meant to read this?

Lookup the references as I go or read it all through once then read it again with the references?

Looking up the references really interrupts the flow.

Research before reading is what I did. Read classical literature (some Virgil,etc. I'm Catholic so I liked digging into some of the other religious works at the time.)

Place the novel. Read the history of the era.

Skim the references. If you get a basic feel but ignore the devil in some of the details you'll be alright.

I thought it was an amazing read. Hope this helps anon.