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The Iliad

The Fitzgerald Translation

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The Iliad

By: Homer, Robert Fitzgerald - translator
Narrated by: Dan Stevens
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About this listen

Since it was first published more than forty years ago, Robert Fitzgerald's prizewinning translation of Homer's battle epic has become a classic in its own right: a standard against which all other versions of The Iliad are compared. This definitive translation of Homer's epic is timeless in its authority and always fresh in its vivid rendering of the preeminent war story of the Western world.

In keeping with the oral tradition of the time, Dan Stevens's extraordinary narration makes this epic tale come alive. The listener becomes totally immersed in the adventure and drama of the story – this is the way The Iliad was meant to be experienced.

Also included on the program is a portion of the poem read in ancient Greek so that listeners may experience the lyricism and music of the original language.

 Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature Collections Epic Poetry Themes & Styles War Ancient Greece Ancient History Classics Mythology

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The Odyssey By: Homer, and others

Critic reviews

“Fitzgerald's smooth, musical verse is perfectly matched in this performance by the light, honeyed tones of Dan Stevens, the British actor who played Matthew Crawley in the first three seasons of "Downton Abbey." Stevens has beautiful, clear articulation, and wonderful pacing, and he really seems to enjoy the poetry of the words. I confess that I could listen to him all day.” —The Boston Globe

“The lightness of Fitzgerald's touch, his almost conversational poetry, is well suited to the spoken word and to an audio version. His translation is in turn well served by the audio production... The reader is the talented actor Dan Stevens… his tone is not conventionally ‘bardic,' which is to say not dark, ponderous or declamatory, but rather young, bright and noble – as if King Harry had decided to deliver Homer instead of his St. Crispin's Day speech. The epics conjure a shimmering cast of some of the most memorable characters in all of literature... Stevens does a fine job of evoking each character distinctly... his readings play like time-honored storytelling, cozy and accessible.” —The New York Times
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I find this translation gives over the visual sense and action very well of the story.

The reading is very followable, but also with just enough dramatic import. Most excellent.

Engaging and rewarding

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Would have never got round to reading this book so it's great to have been able to listen to it. Could have chosen a better translation but I feel having an English engaging narrator is the most important. Tried ones with overacted American voices and it just doesn't fit one bit with a historical classic.
Would recommend!

Great narration

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Where do I begin? This is simply brilliant! Absolutely gripping. Wonderfully, wonderfully read and a translation that makes the whole Iliad easy to understand and so exciting you do not want to stop listening. I cannot imagine a better version. Get it - you will not regret it!

Stunning!

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I had never read The Iliad before and was looking for a translation that was true to the original text and with a narrator that made the material comprehensible. As you can see from my rating both of these needs were may with this version. I loved it.

I felt strange giving the oldest written text in the western world 4/5 stars but my defence is that The Iliad, for the most part, is men killing other men with spears. The interesting bits with Achilles, Agamemnon, Hector, Priam etc. are definitely present but they’re few and far between. The battle descriptions get tiresome.

Perfect for someone unfamiliar with The Iliad

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A superb translation and a narrator to match. Truly a joy to listen to.

My first read / listen; I found my enjoyment of the epic was enhanced greatly by listening alongside Elizabeth Vandiver's "The Iliad of Homer" lectures in the Great Courses series.

Wonderful

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