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Audiobooks > Poetry >  Ancient, Classical & Medieval > The Iliad

Download The Iliad Audiobook

Extended Audio Sample The Iliad Audiobook, by Homer Click for printable size audiobook cover
3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 3.00 (125,183 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: Homer Narrator: Alfred Molina Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: October 2011 ISBN: 9781442347328
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An Iliad for the twenty-first century, this magnificent new translation by Stephen Mitchell sets the highest standards for beauty, accuracy, and aliveness.

The power and the beauty of The Iliad resound again across 2,700 years in Stephen Mitchell’s exciting new translation, as if the lifeblood of its heroes Achilles and Patroclus, Hector and Priam flowed in every word. And we are there with them amid the horror and ecstasy of war, carried along by a poetry that lifts even the most devastating human events into the realm of the beautiful.

Based on the recent, superb M.L. West edition of the Greek, this Iliad is more accessible and moving than any previous version. Whether it is his exciting recent version of Gilgamesh, with more than 150,000 copies sold, or his unmatched translation of the poet Rilke, still the standard after twenty-nine years, or his Tao Te Ching, which has sold more than 900,000 copies and itself been translated into six languages, Stephen Mitchell’s books are international sensations. Now, thanks to his scholarship and poetic power, which re-creates the energy and simplicity, the speed, grace, and continual thrust and pull of the original, The Iliad ’s ancient story bursts vividly into new life and will reach an even larger audience of listeners. Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “Mitchell’s updating has resulted in a livelier, more contemporary feel for this epic of world literature…make room for this one on the shelf…For all the revising and updating, there’s still much poignancy here.” 

    Los Angeles Times

  • “[A] romping, clear-sighted translation…gripping…in The Iliad there are immortal, death-prophesying horses; though rivers can fight and you might find yourself chatting to a god; when we look at the stones of Troy, we see not aliens, but ourselves. That remains the poem’s greatest pull, and Mitchell has reenergized it for a new generation.” 

    Telegraph (London)

  • “The focus is all on the poetry…Mitchell’s characters boast and argue sharply. His Hera sasses, his Agamemnon snarls, his Helen prophesies.” 

    Chronicle of Higher Education

  • “Alfred Molina’s rich tones and robust narrative style…[and] impeccable pacing and subtle inflections, along with plenty of vocal punch for the battle scenes and confrontational dialogue, make the sometimes coarse vernacular feel appropriate to what Mitchell calls the ‘spirit of the text.’ Let’s hope we get to hear Molina finish the story for us in The Odyssey.” 

    AudioFile

Listener Opinions

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Stuart West | 2/6/2014

    " Any book you've ever read stems from literature such as The Iliad, believe that. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Esther | 1/26/2014

    " listening and reading... really great "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Darlene Underdahl | 1/16/2014

    " It was required reading in school. While the other kids struggled, I loved it! "

  • 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Amy Nielsen | 1/5/2014

    " So much killing... and how the heck did they know everyones names!! "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Leanne | 1/5/2014

    " Yeah, I had to read this in English Literature in high school. Not my favorite. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Alice Sather | 12/31/2013

    " Not always easy to read, but important to read if one is going to have a rounded education in lit across the many years and cultures. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 kissmyshades | 12/26/2013

    " i don't love the iliad like i do the aeneid, but the iliad is so amazingly vivid. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 James | 12/13/2013

    " I enjoyed reading the story in prose form. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Tobias | 12/6/2013

    " Great read. Not a "great book" for no reason. I'd imagine the constant battle scenes would bore some, though. ;-) "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Douglas Owen | 12/5/2013

    " Personally, I was very disappointed with the read. I guess for the time, it was a very heavy novel or story, but it led a lot to be desired, and though I consider myself very open minded, it caused me not to think but to sleep. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Anthony Chillura | 11/12/2013

    " Really good, but much better as an unabridged audio book. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Andrea | 9/5/2013

    " Of course 5 stars...it's the Iliad. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Katelyn | 4/2/2013

    " As far as The Iliad goes, this is an excellent translation. But in general, epic poetry isn't my thing. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Alyssa P | 3/20/2013

    " It's greek mythology, baby. What d'you expect? "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Brie | 11/22/2012

    " Another book that I just started reading because of school and didnt finish or paid too much attention. I really like greek mythology so Im definitely re-reading sometime! "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Gary Nonnenkamp | 10/31/2012

    " The story of the Iliad beats the movie Troy any time. The gods taking part of this great war really changes the story. The Iliad is a great book for people who love adventure and action books. Very Highly recommended. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Rundmc | 10/18/2012

    " Bloodier by the day. Wiser by the hour. Hammered and fired armor. Achilles ready to attack. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Gunnar | 9/15/2012

    " Magnificent. A great way to "read" a great book, and find out what all the talking is about. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Demi | 5/25/2012

    " Absolutely stunning. A great read that anyone can enjoy, really recommend it :) "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kenzie | 4/7/2012

    " Good, but once in history, the sequel is even better :-) "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Federica | 3/31/2012

    " Accurate but not very poetic translation. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Judith | 2/9/2012

    " I read (and comprehended) the entire poem in Latin. #BAWSE "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Luke | 12/25/2011

    " Despite the childhood memories of this being agony to read, it's a fantastic tale, full of blood guts and gore. Classic for a reason, as some wonderful person once said... "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 John | 10/29/2011

    " This was a great story of warfare in the ancient world. Homer tends to get a bit wordy but his descriptions of the battles between all the great mythical legends made it a great read. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Clinton | 10/24/2011

    " This translation was a real pleasure to read. Also, I was amazed at how much I related to Achilles. Probably not necessarily a healthy thing. This poem captures incapacitating rage in a way that really hit very close to home. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 William | 10/19/2011

    " DON'T BE PUT OFF BY THE POETIC NATURE OF THE WRITING!!!You will get used to it, i promise, and it's really worth it. the film - Troy, really let me down as the interplay between the gods and man was tantalising. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 William | 10/9/2011

    " Fagles is the best translator - straightforward, concise, but losing non of the power. Highly recommended. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 James | 10/2/2011

    " A great tale of war that expounds, in an exciting manner, on the final days of the trojan war and the triumph of the Achaean hero, Achilles. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Robert | 9/29/2011

    " Finally, I could read it and understand it!! Great read! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Elizabeth | 9/28/2011

    " (Quick review) Fagles makes what could be a long, tedious, and dry poem into something which is exciting and comprehendable. Much easier than Lattimore's translations of the Greek tragedians. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Kelly | 9/26/2011

    " This is one of my fav books of all time. I read it in college for my lit class and went back to it a few years ago. The storyline is just wonderful; I don't know how else to describe it. "

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About the Author
Author Homer

Homer (9th or 8th century BC) is the presumed author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, the two greatest epic poems of ancient Greece. Virtually nothing is known about his life. Tradition has it that he was blind. Most scholars believe he composed the Iliad and the Odyssey by relying on oral traditions. Their value lies chiefly in the poetry itself, moving from sublime passages about the gods and heroic exploits to passages expressing deep human emotion.

About the Narrator

Alfred Molina is an actor and winner of numerous Earphones Awards for audiobook narration. His films include Spiderman II, Frida, Magnolia, Chocolat, Boogie Nights, The Perez Family, Maverick, Enchanted April, Not Without My Daughter, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Prick Up Your Ears. He has appeared extensively on British and American television, including the TV series Bram & Alice and Ladies’ Man. He received a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in Art on Broadway. He also performed on Broadway in Molly Sweeney and in Speed the Plow for the National Theatre in London.

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