SELL YOUR SHIRT FOR THIS AUDIO BOOK!

Having listened to both Naxos sets (Anton Lesser), Blackstone (Ralph Cosham) and (Nadia May) for some years, I have to say that Griffin really holds the listener. You can soon skip the biography if you wish. You can also enjoy and learn from 'Paradise Regained' as this, too, is really an added bonus in this set!

If you are troubled with understanding at first, read Lanzana's novel or his plain English version. C. S. Lewis has a famous 'Preface'. Nicolson's 'Reader's Guide to John Milton' is also a great way to start. Blarmire's 'Milton's Creation' is a superb commentary.

Keep listening to Milton, especially this set, and you'll find a life-long friend - by far the best writer of all!

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Great Bio Followed by Milton's Masterpiece

Other reviewers criticized this audio book for the 2 hour bio of Milton. I thought the biography of Milton was excellent. It really puts the poem in perspective and gives the reader a better appreciation for Milton and for Paradise Lost. If you don't want to listen to the bio, just skip to the poem. Milton's beliefs about the relationship of church and state were way ahead of his time, and he quite literally put his neck on the line for his beliefs. Milton is often criticized for staying loyal to Cromwell long after it became clear that Cromwell had abandoned many of the principles which helped him come to power. But what choice did he have? The alternative to Cromwell was the Crown. With Cromwell and his successors there was some hope however slim, with the Crown there was none.

Anyhow, the poem itself is very well read, but listen to this when you can focus such as on a walk. If you're listening in the car you'll be hitting the 30 second rewind a lot or missing much. This is no fault of the narrator, it is just a very dense work.

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It's True.

I can confirm that the actual Paradise Lost narrative doesn't begin until the 2:09:45 mark. I'm amazed this audiobook spends the first two hours giving biographical info, sample poems that aren't actually a part of the main narrative, etc.

Otherwise, the reader's voice is by far the most engaging, dramatic and rich among the offerings here at audible. If cost is not an issue, I'd recommend this version and skip to the time hack indicated above.

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To Reign in Hell

One of the separation points I have when reading classical poetry is that it's just not the same when reading to yourself. Poetry of this caliber demands a performance. From Homer to Shakespeare and beyond, epic poetry requires the performance from a master with a strong voice to get the drama across on a higher level. Charlton Griffin delivers that punch, catapulting the listener through some of the best epic poetry ever offered in this planet's history.

For those who only think they know the story, and especially for those who seem to think of Paradise Lost as merely "Biblical fanfic," I would invite those people to spend some time in the mind of the literary genius of Milton through this work. And as a bonus, you get the sequel for free, as well as a 2-hour bio of Milton so as to place these works in the historical and spiritual contexts in which they were written - a time of ecclesiastical upheaval. Getting the proper perspective makes all the difference when understanding and appreciating a work like this.

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Time to finally tackle Milton!

You know you'll never read this heady classic, so why not let Charlton Griffin bring it to life as you listen. You might imagine, as you listen, the work as blind Milton dictated it to his daughter.

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Interesting.

Would you listen to Paradise Lost & Paradise Regained again? Why?

I would listen again. One, because it's necessary to understand everything that Milton is trying to say and two, it's very interesting. It makes you think about Christianity from multiple angles which takes you down trails of thought that you may have never ventured before.

What about Charlton Griffin’s performance did you like?

Mr Griffon's performance was great. I couldn't ask for more than he delivered in this audio.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

You could not take this all in one sitting. Unless you're very comfortable with Olde English and very versed in all the literary references. I am/was not. It would have taken me over 48 hours straight.

Any additional comments?

Gets sleepy at times. Easy to get lost in the language and references. Be prepared to rewind alot. Also helpfull to have some sort of study guide to reference while listening.

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Lots of biographical info on Milton

I have been listening for 2 hours and have yet to get to the first chapter of Paradise Lost. It has all been biographical information on Milton.
It doesn't mention this anywhere in the description. It would have been nice to know when deciding which version to purchase.

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Absolutely Awsome

I have never encountered something at once so incredibly beautiful and awe inspiring as this account of Paradise Lost. I now see things from God's perspective. Milton, your a genius. This production is superb and captured my imagination. Will listen to this one often.

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An epic poem, brilliantly performed

While I hesitate to review Milton's masterpiece because it is indeed a masterpiece of Western literature, here's my best shot at it. "Paradise Lost" starts with the fall of the angels and ends with the expulsion from Eden. After Lucifer is cast out of heaven for leading a revolt against God, he gets revenge by setting into motion mankind's fall from grace. "Paradise Regained" is a sequel of sorts; it tells the story of Jesus's life with particular emphasis of the temptation in the desert.

"Paradise Lost" is Milton's magnum opus, with each word and each phrase seemingly hand-picked for its role in this epic poem. The language is necessarily dense with meaning, so don't rush through this one. In fact, in order to fully appreciate the work for its rythm and packing, it should be recited aloud, even if only to yourself.

"Paradise Regained" takes a different approach than its predecessor. It is excellent in its own right, although it lacks the impact of "Paradise Lost." Lucifer here is reduced to a wheedling minor character, whereas before he was a bold and insidious rebel.

In short, definitely read "Paradise Lost", and read "Paradise Regained" only to complete the epic story told in both poems.

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For fear of sounding uneducated

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I'm not sure that this epic is workable as an audiobook. It is either my ability to concentrate or the narrator himself but for the first half hour of the actual book, not the biography, I felt that I had to repeat the words after the narrator said them just to understand what was happening. If you loose focus for just a second you will feel completely lost in the story, I'm not convinced its anyone's fault necessarily, but I'm going to save this must read for the old fashion way.

Would you be willing to try another one of Charlton Griffin’s performances?

Yes, he is very well spoken. This just happens to be an immense challenge and one which must be practiced and possibly even then only spoken in small segments.

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