The Iliad

By: Homer, Ian Johnston - translator

Narrated by: Anton Lesser

Perhaps the greatest poem of the Western world, The Iliad tells the story of 50 critical days towards the end of the Trojan war. Achilles has quarrelled with Agamemnon and sulks in his tent, while Hector brings his Trojans to the brink of victory; but fate will have the last word.Public Domain (P)2006 Naxos AudioBooks

Read it for Helen's one-liners

This reading of The Iliad by Anton Lesser is, arguably, the clearest and most performatively dynamic reading currently available in Audiobook form. Generally i am not a fan of Lesser's sprightly pompous English tone of voice, but he really puts on a show in this complex reading.

Easy on the ears, food for the mind

I waited for some time before finally braving The Iliad. I was frankly intimidated, assuming (from experience reading other epic poetry) that a good translation would be extremely difficult to listen to and comprehend. I was so wrong!

This translation and this narrator make Homer come alive.

Excellent version

The translation by Ian Johnston is immediately accessible without sacrificing the epic forms -- rhythmic metaphors, ritualized repetition, heroic epithets. The reading by Anton Lesser is crisp, clear, and fast-moving. Great job. This being a Naxos audiobook, the only thing missing is music; but once I realized it wasn't there, I didn't miss it: I kept getting caught up in the sweep of the narrative.

Great way to enjoy a difficult classic

As a reader who reads for the story itself (vs. how the story is told), the Iliad would have been a difficult read for me given its age and "flowery language", but this format and Lesser's narration make it a very enjoyable experience. If you want to enjoy this classic, this is the way to do it.