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The Iliad (Abridged) Audiobook

The Iliad (Abridged) Audiobook, by Homer Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Derek Jacobi, Maria Tucci, Derek Jacobi, Robert Fagles Publisher: Penguin Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2006 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781101058077

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

19

Longest Chapter Length:

41:12 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

18 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

27:37 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

22

Publisher Description

Dating to the ninth century BC, Homer’s timeless poem still vividly conveys the horror and heroism of men and gods wrestling with towering emotions and battling amidst devastation and destruction, as it moves inexorably to  the wrenching, tragic conclusion of the Trojan War. Renowned classicist Bernard Knox observes in his superb Introduction that although the violence of the Iliad is grim and relentless, it coexists with both images of civilized life and a poignant yearning for peace.   Combining the skills of a poet and scholar, Robert Fagles brings the energy of contemporary language to this enduring heroic epic. He maintains the drive and metric music of Homer’s poetry, and evokes the impact and nuance of the Iliad’s mesmerizing repeated phrases in what Peter Levi calls “an astonishing performance.”

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"Besides being one of the longest poems ever composed, the Iliad is also one of the most important. It makes the reader wonder what it means to be human, and also makes us reconsider what a hero truly is. Furthermore, besides the well-known cast of characters, the Iliad boasts some of the most beautiful language I've ever come across. All you have to do is read the chapter about the creation of Achilles' shield and you'll know what I'm talking about. Maybe our world leaders could learn something from reading this poem..."

— Connor (5 out of 5 stars)

The Iliad Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.206185567010309 out of 54.206185567010309 out of 54.206185567010309 out of 54.206185567010309 out of 54.206185567010309 out of 5 (4.21)
5 Stars: 55
4 Stars: 21
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 4
1 Stars: 5
Narration: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 (1.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — 8/26/2021
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I bought this so I could listen along while physically reading the book. To my dismay, the audiobook randomly skips large sections of the actual translation, sometimes a whole book, opting instead for a short & incomplete summary of the events it passes over (this occurs every time the female narrator speaks). Unfortunately, you aren't getting to hear the whole story if you listen to this audiobook. "

    — Bec, 1/29/2017
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Gives a highly insightful and clear vision of the epic roman empire and the tragic story of the battle of Troy and the fight for the beautiful Helen of Troy. The story's characters are imaginative and beautifully described from the villainous Agamemnon and Menelaus to the heroic Hector and Achilles. Homers story truly is the definition of "epic battle". A must read for all fans of Classical Studies, Greek and Roman mythology and history. "

    — Kate, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " GREAT translation. my only disappointment is that I thought for some reason that the story included the death of Achilles. I must watch too many movies... "

    — RK, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " very interesting book. it helped me stay awake. this had a lot of action and i like books that actually do things and make the book feel better then it was. "

    — Adam, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Ajax, Diomedes, Hector, Odysseus, oh my! Loving it. "

    — William, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I like this book a lot. I thought the translation of the book was sort of difficult and the context was a little difficult as well. I like the idea the author Homer tells about the battles and events between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles. The book mainly takes place during the Trojan war and consist of a lot of action throughout the Novel. I liked this book a lot I thought it was interesting and a good read, I recommend it to everyone to read. "

    — Malik, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I began reading this in translation as a child with an interest in Greco-Roman mythology. I made it to the catalogue of ships before realizing that this was not what I was looking for. Later readings in both English translation and excerpts in Homeric Greek have shown me that some books are worth the struggle. "

    — William, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Take a class on Greek Mythology first. "

    — Smilinjack, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really enjoyed this, a great way of getting your head around the story and all its characters. This could be used as a great learning resource. "

    — Hannah, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " War, greeks, betrayal, family drama. The whole shabang. "

    — Christine, 1/28/2014

About the Authors

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 Narrators

Sir Derek Jacobi has had a long and distinguished career. He has toured in Becket and Uncle Vanya, and he received a Tony Award for his performance as Benedick in the RSC’s production of Much Ado about Nothing. His work in television includes the lead roles in Cadfael and I, Claudius, and his film credits include Henry V, Gosford Park, and Hamlet. His narrations have won him eleven Audiofile Earphones Awards.

Maria Tucci is an Italian born actress. She has had roles on Broadway for over twenty years and was nominated for a 1967 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for The Rose Tattoo. In films, she is best known for her role in To Die For. She has appeared in numerous television series, including Law & Order. As a professional audiobook narrator, she has shared with other cast members in the Audie Award nomination in 2010 for Selected Shorts: A Touch of Magic and in 2007 for Selected Shorts: Vol. 19 Timeless Classics. She is married to the eminent American editor Robert Gottlieb.

Sir Derek Jacobi has had a long and distinguished career. He has toured in Becket and Uncle Vanya, and he received a Tony Award for his performance as Benedick in the RSC’s production of Much Ado about Nothing. His work in television includes the lead roles in Cadfael and I, Claudius, and his film credits include Henry V, Gosford Park, and Hamlet. His narrations have won him eleven Audiofile Earphones Awards.