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  • The Iliad & The Odyssey

  • By: Homer
  • Narrated by: John Lescault
  • Length: 28 hrs and 37 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (96 ratings)
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The Iliad & The Odyssey cover art

The Iliad & The Odyssey

By: Homer
Narrated by: John Lescault
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Summary

Little is known about the Ancient Greek oral poet Homer, the supposed 8th century BC author of the world-read Iliad and his later masterpiece, The Odyssey. These classic epics provided the basis for Greek education and culture throughout the classical age and formed the backbone of humane education through the birth of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity. If Homer did in fact exist, this supposedly blind poet was from some region of Greek-controlled Asia-Minor and recited his poems at festivals and political assemblies. In this extraordinary two volume audio set, the glorious saga again unfolds, telling the story of courage and magical adventure in Ancient Greece.

The Iliad, the first of Homer's epic poems, tells of the counsel of Nestor, Achilles's slaying of Hector, and the defeat of the Trojans by the Greeks.

In The Odyssey, in his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, Odysseus must pass through the land of the Cyclopes, encounter Circe the Enchantress, and face the terrible Charybdis and the six headed serpent Scylla.

Both epics are translated here by Samuel Butler.

(P)2002 Commuters Library

What listeners say about The Iliad & The Odyssey

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

And his armour fell rattling around him...

There is surely no need to give my opinion of the story here so I'll only mention the narration.
I was not completely satisfied by the style of the reading for this audio book when it started but, after time, I found it grew on me. There is a rhythm to it that the narrator's lack of inflection lets through. The text itself and the repetitions within it carried me along at a comfortable pace and I soon found myself muttering along as familiar phrases were repeated.
Details stayed with me long after the book had ended and I can still recall substantial portions now as I write this several months after listening. They play back in John Lescault's distinctive voice and the images they conjure remain as vivid.
In conclusion, an unsettling start turned into a memorable experience. Pretty soon I'll be set to listen to the whole lot again.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Monotone...

As interesting as the illiad is, this is the first audio book I've seriously considered stopping listening to. The guy who reads it does it in a continuous monotone. When he does vary from it, it's completely random, and the volume varies considerably, sometimes within a sentence.

I've only finished the first part, but I'm not convinced I'll be completing the whole thing.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Classical Story

Loved this from Start to finish. Narration was great and kept my attention. Great story

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Confused...

I'm not sure if this was just a glitch with the downloading or not but I only seem to have the Odyssey in this audiobook and the parts I do have are scrambled into a different order (Part 3, 1, 2, 4 seems to be the order they go in) As I am using this for help with my University studies it is incredibly irritating that I can't just hit play and listen while writing essays etc. As I haven't really listened beyond the first few minutes of each track I can't make comment on the narration etc. Very confused by this and there's no easy way to contact audible with any problems.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

narration terrible!

As another reviewer has said, monotone and made dull as ditch water. An ideal listen for insomniacs.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Missing part

There seem to be missing a part of the book, about the final attack on Troy. Will not recommend this book, find on of the others.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Imposable

I know the basic story(s) but wanted to know in detail. This book was nearly impossible to follow as it was so dry. This is to be expected as this is not for entertainment but wow, just information, nothing els.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

It is a great book

I loved listening to this book.great naration and great story .i feel good after listening to this one.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Better an Odyssey than an Illiad.

I really enjoyed The Odyssey but gave up half-way through The Illiad. While the Odyssey had a great central character and an exciting plot, the Illiad read like a list of names with an endless blow by blow account of the war.

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