The Iliad

One recognizable characteristic of THE ILIAD in any translation is its extensive dialogue. Every character, mortal or otherwise, has something to say--and it's usually a lot. Dan Stevens has a gift for dialogue, so it's little surprise that his performance of this title is highly enjoyable. Whether listeners are familiar with the genre or coming to it cold, Stevens takes Robert Fitzgerald's translation and becomes a one-man show, making it accessible and exciting. One small criticism of his performance is that Stevens sometimes gets so invested in the dialogue that he speaks a bit too quickly for every word to sink in--but this never continues for long, and it takes nothing away from its overall value. N.J.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine


To listen to a good translation of Homer's works artfully rendered by a skilled oral interpreter is always a delight to a spoken-word audiophile. The spirit of the original rhapsodes (literally, stitchers of tales), who were able to "sing" the stories of Achilles, Odysseus, and the battle of Troy while accompanying themselves with a lyre, is now being reborn with wonderful recorded versions. IN Audio's production of Homer's complete work is a very acceptable choice. Using Samuel Butler's nineteenth-century translation, John Lescault's narration is polished and clear, with subdued vocal characterizations. At times Lescault does sound a bit liturgical, as if he were intoning a sacred text in a cathedral instead of entertaining a relaxed company of imbibing guests in a marble palace. Still, the story is so strong that listeners can easily lose themselves in a time when gods and men fought for the beautiful Helen. P.W. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

Starred review from February 1, 2015

Scholars and poets regard Fitzgerald's translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey as among the best published and are seen as great poems in English on their own. Now they are available as audiobooks, narrated by actor Dan Stevens. The Iliad places the listener amid the Trojans and Greeks as they engage in a give-and-take warfare before the walls of Troy. Achilles initially refuses to fight, as Agamemnon has taken a Trojan women Achilles claims as a prize. Athena, Hera, and Poseidon side with the Greeks, while Troy finds allies in Apollo and Aphrodite. Zeus oversees all, favoring one side, then the other. The Odyssey recounts the trek of the great warrior Odysseus from the sacked Troy back home to Ithaca. Gods, goddesses, mortals, and monsters conspire to derail the voyage. Both Zeus and Poseidon intervene, destroying Odysseus's ships and killing his crew. In Ithaca, many suitors court Odysseus's wife, Penelope, in hopes to marry the widow of the supposedly fallen hero. Stevens's (of Downton Abbey fame) superb narration brings both stories to vivid life, giving the listener a feel for what it was like to hear it recited back in ancient Greece. Both audiobooks include bonus tracks of portions of the poem recited the original Greek. VERDICT Among the best audiobooks of the year, this set is recommended to all listeners.--Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Parkersburg Lib.

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