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The Iliad

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The Iliad

Written by: Homer, Robert Fagles - translator
Narrated by: Derek Jacobi, Maria Tucci
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About this listen

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”.

©1990 Robert Fagles (translation) (P)1992 Penguin-HighBridge Audio; 1992 Penguin-HighBridge Audio, Packaging © Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Classics Classical Greece

What the critics say

"...eloquent, rhythmical, and full of power." (Jasper Griffin, Oxford University)

"A remarkable tour de force...." (Maynard Mack, Yale University)

"Astonishing.... This should now become the standard translation for a new generation." (Peter Levi)
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Most relevant  
It should be made clear to the purchaser that this is an edited version of the the Iliad, with many chapters missing. That said, Jacobi’s reading is mostly wonderful.

Heavily Redacted Version

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This is the first audible book I purchased and I hadn't realized that it was an abridged reading when I purchased it (my mistake).
The reading by Derek Jacobi was good and because they changed the narration to Maria Tucci for the abridged parts it was easy to find where to read the texts. I thought the summarizing of the chapters were well done as the key points were mentioned and parts of the important descriptions were mentioned.


Good reading

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Robert Fagles' translation is excellent, as is the reading performance of Derek Jacobi. However! This is an abridged version and I was sorely disappointed to discover this fact, only after I'd finished listening to it! I missed key parts of the story and I'm ticked about that. Abridged versions should be advertised as such. I feel swindled!

It's abridged!

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I think the story was very good, but when i first bought the book on amazon, and even typed the isdn from the book i had bought to the audiobook store, the audiobook was still skipping lines or paragraghs. Made me mad

Good book but audio is not good

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I bought this to listen along as my kids need to read it for a class. I specifically looked to make sure it was not abridged but in Book 2 it stops following the text for parts.....very, very frustrating. At least tell us in the notes that it doesn't follow the book. The narration is fantastic and great to listen to but would be nice to have the full version that matches the book.

Disappointed that it doesn't follow the text

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I downloaded this audiobook to help me with course reading for one of my university classes. My professors were very picky about the exact translation and version of the book that I had to purchase and so I sought out the same translation and version in my audiobook.

Unfortunately, I was not able to use this to help me work through the book because it did not follow the text of its corresponding edition. I am very disappointed.

This audiobook does not match the text.

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very disappointed it is not clearly labeled as abridged. its dishonest to use the cover of the deluxe edition and not include a complete version. feel ripped off to be honest.

not advertised as abridged..

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There was no mention this was an abridged version. Why even advertise it as the translation by Fagles if it departs so far from the hard copy?

Same as many other reviews; abridged??

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If you’re reading along, don’t waste a credit: it’s brutally abridged. It infuriates me that they would not clarify this.

Don’t do it.

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