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Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey

By: Homer, W. H. D. Rouse - translator
Narrated by: Anthony Heald
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Summary

Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey are unquestionably two of the greatest epic masterpieces in Western literature. Though more than 2,700 years old, their stories of brave heroics, capricious gods, and towering human emotions are vividly timeless.

The Iliad can justly be called the world’s greatest war epic. The terrible and long-drawn-out siege of Troy remains one of the classic campaigns, the heroism and treachery of its combatants unmatched in song and story. Driven by fierce passions and loyalties, men and gods battle to a devastating conclusion.

The Odyssey chronicles the many trials and adventures Odysseus must pass through on his long journey home from the Trojan wars to his beloved wife. Though the stormy god of the ocean has sworn vengeance against him, and witches and sirens try to lure him off course, Odysseus is clever and has the brilliant goddess Athena on his side.

Homer (9th or 8th century B.C.) 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.

Public Domain (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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Critic reviews

"The best translation of Homer that I have ever read is by W. H. D. Rouse." (Dudley Fitts)

What listeners say about Homer Box Set: Iliad & Odyssey

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great story telling

a little tricky with all the hero names to start but a fantastic read once you become familiar with them all

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Well read Classic

All my life I've meant to know the story of the Iliad and Odyssey and the only thing keeping me back was the wall of intimidating names one meets early on.

This was a wonderful reading that flowed seamlessly. I feel like I've joined a class of humanity in experiencing these two ancient stories.

I shall surely sacrifice my finest bull, ram and tusker boar to thank the gods for this great gift!

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Once I started I couldn't switch it off

Great voice acting by Anthony Heald one of the best in his field, and he really makes this an entertaining read 😀

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A modern rhapsode (in prose)

Narration is worthy of the great epics. The prosody maintained my focus on the story without sounding too histrionic. A great performance of this prose translation and this is indeed the intended medium for experiencing the two works.

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Rousing narration of an epic

Great recollection of a must-read tale. Narrator keeps up the engagement well for Homer's epic tales

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Epic story, beautifully read.

Great to have both of these stories together. Well read, Anthony Hearld is able to bring pathos to the characters without becoming melodramatic. He has a voice that makes you understand how gripping these stories can be.

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really enjoyed listening to great performance of reading a great book

great performance excellently read ,really enjoyed it , well worth your time , characters brought to life so entertaining

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Worth every minute

Yes it’s long and you do need the time but it really is worth it. As the stories unfold you find lots of references to words we use today and their original meaning.This is definitely storytelling at its best. Take the time to enjoy. I thoroughly recommend this book.

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Iliad is very good but Odyssey is brilliant.

The Iliad is a bit hard to follow all the killing but the Odyssey is a great story indeed. Could listen from dawn until dusk.

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This epic box set was well worth the 1 credit.

this epic box set was well worth the 1 credit. And the books where read well I also enjoyed the translation.

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