The Iliad

Penguin Classics

By: Homer, E. V. Rieu - translator, D. C. H. Rieu - translator, Peter Jones - translator

Narrated by: Steve John Shepherd

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.

Western civilizations grand epic myth

The Iliad was meant to be spoken, so listen to it ~ E. Musk. Thus narrated version brings all the ancient characters to life. It is amazing that such a beautiful epic story story of battle, violence and victory was written 2,800 years ago.

wonderful!

It was a great retelling of my favorite epic. I enjoyed the notes at the end, it was nice to have the academic analysis at the end of the story...which is a story I have always watched in my head. Also, the narrator has a fantastic voice for telling this story.

Slow Start, Strong Finish

I didn't follow as well as I should have during the first few hours. I had to stop and read about much of the context that I didn't understand.

by the second half of the narrative, I was hooked. The action and violence was surprising, but the development of the characters was clear and I connected to their plight.

I'm happy that I listened. Now on to the Odyssey and then the Aneid.

Wonderful.

This book is worthy of the classic title. I’ve rarely enjoyed a school book this much.

Excellent

I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this book. It was perfectly narrated as I followed along reading every single word.