| PRODUCT DETAILS | | The Iliad |  | |
The Iliad
This masterful new verse translation of Homer's classic story of the Trojan War has been hailed by critics as "an astonishing performance" and "a remarkable tour de force." Robert Fagles, chairman of the Department of Comparative Literature at Princeton University, brings the energy of contemporary language of this 2,700-year-old epic, while maintaining the drive and metric music of Homer's poetry, as well as the impact and nuance of Homer's mesmerizing repeated phrases.
As a scholar, Fagles praises Homer's directness and simplicity, the breadth of his imagination, and the power of his song. As a translator, he brilliantly captures these very qualities—which makes this Iliad not only a superb literary work, but a tremendous listening experience.
Manufacturer: Highbridge Audio
Price Range: $22.25 - $36.95
 The Iliad
|
| User Reviews |  | Okay, if you don't mind not getting what you paid for.
rating: 2
It skips, it's mislabled, it misses parts that it claims to include...otherwise the reading is excellent. Perhaps it was my copy...I don't know.
|
Hearing the Classic
rating: 5
This recording is an awesome presentation of THE ILIAD. Derek Jacobi does
and excellent job. The Iliad is suppose to be heard, not necessarily read. This CD is well worth the price. I listened to half of it on a trip and it was enthralling! jdm
|
Brilliant and Moving Translation: Great Performance
rating: 5
The action is gripping, and the passions of the gods and mortals move us in Fagels's fine translation. You feel as if you knew these people. This performances of Derek Jacoby and Maria Tucci has brought this tale to life.
I know other versions of this story: Gustave Schwab's GODS AND HEROES, which was read to me when I was young and which I read to my daughter; Richard Latimore's translation, in the edition illustrated by Leonard Baskin, a beautiful book. Robert Fagels's translation is simply the best.
Listen to this performance if you want to capture the mad rush and the rich human feelings of it all. I have listened done so six times, many of these while climbing stairs at the gym. Also buy and read the book. As reviewers note, the cuts made in this abridgment are extensive. Reading the book will give you the full picture.
Robert Fagels's translation of THE ODYSSEY is superb as well, and the performance by Ian McKellen is very different from Derek Jacobi's ILIAD, though equally compelling.
|
Listening to Homer
rating: 4
Robert Fagles translation of The Iliad is amazing. I really enjoyed Sir Derek Jacobi's reading presented here on these disks. My only problem with this product is that the book has been abridged. I wanted to purchase this item because I feel that it's important to HEAR the words of Homer spoken. This epic poem has been passed down through the generations by word of mouth, so it's best to HEAR the words spoken. I suggest listening to the audio recordings while reading the book. These audio recordings are wonderful but there's way too much missing. Penguin Books should of shown Robert Fagles translation (and Homer) more respect.
The second chapter for instance is missing the last section often called, "the catalogue of ships." This is the part of the story where Homer lists all the Argenian armies which participated in the Trojan conflict. Okay, sure - it's sort of a boring section of the story. Still, it's an important part of the book! Possibly, one of the most historically significant sections of the story. This entire section has been cut from the audiotapes! The list of ships, which goes on and on, illustrates the vast army which was gathered by Agamemnon for the battle. You need to illustrate the overwhelming force the Trojans were facing to fully comprehend the battle.
Anyway, I enjoyed the recording, but I just wish that Penguin Books would have presented an option to purchase an unabridged version of Robert Fagles translation. Be prepared to read the parts of the book not covered by the tapes. You should also rent some dvd documentaries on the Trojan War. It really helps flesh out the impact of the poem. Homer rocks!
|
Sir Derek Jacobi's masterful reading is pure pleasure
rating: 5
I recall asking a bookseller years ago if he had the Jacobi audio narration of The Iliad in his store. His response, "We don't do audio. Bookstores are for books." Fine and dandy. But The Iliad was an oral poem to begin with, and for those who want to hear it, regardless of having read it or not, there is no better place to start. Yes, it is abridged, but the choice of abridgement seems sensible, though I would have preferred the poem in its entirety. Another reviewer refers to Jacobi, a mentor of Kenneth Branaugh, as the greatest living Shakespearean actor. Though there are many fine Shakespearean actors currently performing around the world in dozens of fascinating roles, it is easy to imagine that Jacobi is one of the finest. His reading of Homer's ILIAD is intense and riveting and a must for fans of the poem in English. PS: Check out Jacobi in his most brilliant performance as the lead in I CLAUDIUS (available on DVD and VHS) I, Claudius
N.B. : this Robert Fagles translation/Derek Jacobi narrated audio version is also available on AUDIO CASSETTE The Iliad (Classics on Cassette)
Sir Ian McKellen's very fine narration of Fagles' translation of The Odyssey in an unabridged CD The Odyssey by Homer and audio cassette recordings The Odyssey (Penguin Classics)
Sir Derek Jacobi's narration of Allen Mandelbaum's translation of The Odyssey is available in abridged CD or audio cassette versions The Odyssey
The brilliant actor/director/writer/narrator Simon Callow's unabridged reading of Robert Fagle's new translation of Virgil's Aeneid is another must-have for audio classics fans. The Aeneid
|
|
The Iliad
|
|
|
|
