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The Iliad

Penguin Classics

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by Steve John Shepherd, whose theatre credits include Much Ado About Nothing at the Globe, The Good Canary directed by John Malkovich, Bomber's Moon and Piaf. His TV and film credits range from the iconic This Life to Silent Witness and Eastenders. This definitive recording includes an introduction by E V Rieu.

One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode in the Trojan War. At its centre is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, and his refusal to fight after being humiliated by his leader Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles' close friend Patroclus, he storms back into battle to take revenge - although knowing this will ensure his own early death. Interwoven with this tragic sequence of events are powerfully moving descriptions of the ebb and flow of battle, of the domestic world inside Troy's besieged city of Ilium, and of the conflicts between the Gods on Olympus as they argue over the fate of mortals.

 Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Death, Grief & Loss Epic Poetry Themes & Styles War Classics Ancient Greece Ancient History Greek Mythology Greece Greek Classics
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I was worried that it was going to be massive bore like some classics are but there was a surprising amount of action and gore in it (maybe even too much so that it lost its effect).

Fun story that was really well narrated

Good story, very well read

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A must read/listen. This version has excellent narration. I will definitely come back to this one again.

Excellent!

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After making several attempts to read The Iliad, it is through this audiobook I finally completed it. I am now convinced that this is the quintessential way to experience the story; it feels right to continue The Iliad in the oral tradition. The story itself is perhaps surprisingly meaningful, with compelling characters whose motivations and interactions are relatable. It is apparent that Homer has captured aspects of war, and through it, human character that are fundamental and always relevant, regardless of The Iliad's time of writing, and when it is read. It is also narrated skilfully, making the audiobook a compelling listen, and underscoring the value in what is being spoken.

An excellent way to experience an important story

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The narrator brings the characters to life with passion, making the book a very easy listen. While I find the endless descriptions on text rather heavy to read due to its repetitiveness, on this audiobook, I find it to be a good thing as it adds up to the atmosphere.

Battles are described with such passion, and the conversations between the characters are superbly done by this narrator.

I was very impressed, I have never enjoyed the Iliad this much.

Astonishing narration of the Iliad

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Small downside are the sharp "S" sounds in the narrator's voice. These are loud and make listening less smooth.

its great

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