Iliad

By: Homer, Stanley Lombardo - translator

Narrated by: Stanley Lombardo, Susan Sarandon - introduction

Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

The first of Homer's great epic poems, the Iliad portrays the final days of the Trojan war. The Iliad has stood the test of time and is still one of (it not the) best depictions of ancient warfare. It is an essential precursor to the infamous journey of Odysseus.

Translated and Narrated by Stanley Lombardo. Introduction by Susan Sarandon.

©1997 Hackett Publishing Company (P)2006 Parmenides Publishing

Critic reviews

"Lombardo's Iliad both sings to 21st century ears and holds true to Homer's original vision; the blind bard would be proud." ( Publishers Weekly)

How it was Meant to Be

So each chapter starts with a summery, which is not in the text of the Lombardo translation with the Murnaghan introduction for those of you following along at home, which was a bit confusing until I realized. Also the introduction is the first chapter, so each book is a chapter behind (ie. Book 9 is chapter 10). And if you, like me, are listening to this because you're too tired to read it for class, remember this is literally how it was meant to be enjoyed, as it was passed through the oral tradition.

If you're interested--get it

The Text: The Iliad was composed for oral presentation around 30 centuries ago. It is arguably the most canonical of Western works, and was foundational to Greek and Roman culture for thouands of years. At its heart, it is the story of war--and, as Lombardo's translation puts it, the "Rage" of Achilles, a spurned soldier whose prickly sense of honor shakes up the progress of the Trojan war. In Lombardo's translation, this whole ancient edifice becomes incredibly readable and has an immediacy to it, lacking the artificial formality and faux "high" language of some older translations, so if you always wanted to read this but found it dull, this might just be the translation for you.

The Main Performance: Lombardo's translation itself grew out of performance notes, where he would give local gigs reciting translations of Homer to rapt audiences. That passion for performance (Homer was composed for recitation, not silent contemplation!) carries over into even his slightly muted recorded version. His dark, rich voice is at times reminiscent of Ian McDiarmid's performance of Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars trilogy--laced with archaic sonorous undertones and a rich sense of performance even as it remains modern enough that we can immediately comprehend the characters' emotions and attitudes. This is certainly the most engaging performance of the Iliad I have heard, excepting live performances by Lombardo himself.

Production Values: Susan Sarandon reads both a solid introduction to the work and chapter summaries. The latter will be useful to anyone who has a difficult time following the complex narration of the story as a whole, but may be annoying to those who already know the story and are listening for a solid performance. Musical cues introduce the beginning and end of each chapter, and are well-done by slightly intrusive.

tl;dr: This is the best audio performance of The Iliad I've found, with a modern translation grounded by a rich, old-school vocal performance.

The Iliad

I got used to the music at chapter transitions and when the text was metaphorical, but Susan Sarandon didn't add much, and the narrator was not as engaging as Ian McKellen on The Odyssey.

The greatest audiobook by far

There are no words to describe this masterpiece. Thank you Stanley for the translation and the performance.

Excellent translation and Narration

This is a great translation. No odd words or phrases that didn’t fit. And Stanley Lombardo does a really good job narrating. I’ve listened to other books he has done.

Good for first timers

I am not a scholar in Greek mythology and found this audiobook very easy to get into straight away. Susan Sarandon gives a synposis for each of the 20+ chapters, so you get the story twice, which is great for first timers like myself.
Listening to the Iliad was an amazing experience as you are listening to a story that was written over 2000 years ago. Sure, if someone wrote this book today, it wouldn't make the shelves unlike the Odyssey, which probably could. And if you aren't a fan of gore, then give this one a miss and go straight to the Odyssey.
The translation and narration were good but I gave it 4 stars because I am a traditionalist when it comes to the classics. Some of the translation is in modern language.
After listening to this one, I gave John Lee's narration of the Odyssey a go. I much preferred it to this audiobook, but I should say that the Odyssey is a much better story too.

Amazing!

What made the experience of listening to Iliad the most enjoyable?

1. Lombardo's well-adapted translation
2. His masterful narration paired with his understanding of the language and culture of the Iliad (after all, he is both the translator and narrator, which shows)
3. The content of the story itself

What was one of the most memorable moments of Iliad?

I still have four books to go to the end, but so far, I'd say Achilles returning to battle

What about Stanley Lombardo and Susan Sarandon ’s performance did you like?

Can't say much about Susan Sarandon's performance since she participates very little; however her pleasant, professional voice is a breath of fresh air at the beginning of every chapter.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Probably Achilles wailing over Patroclas' dead body.

Any additional comments?

This is probably the best edition of the Iliad on Audible. Cheers to Lombardo.

Annual Read

There are only two books I read annually: The Bible and The Iliad. Both provide insights to the culture, economics, and religion of the ancient world. The Iliad provides new insights and phrases I later go and research. As a hobby I study ancient Greek. Just as this book provides a remembrance of greatness, Arete, it inspires me to always do my best and fulfill Arete. Sure the violence may not fit today's culture, but the wisdom of Nestor, the strategy of Odysseus, the persistence of Telamon Ajax, the fatherhood of Hector, the destiny for Aeneas, and the power of Peleus's peerless son provide ideals to reach for. As I tell my students ad nauseum, Always do your Best in character and action. This book grips my Greco-Roman-phile heart. I would sleep with it under my pillow if I could.

I also tried to get my boys' middle names to be Achilles and/or Antilochus. The wife would have none of it. The wife at least approved of two other ancient inspired names.

classic must- hear

impressed that i can say i completed this novel! incredible performance by the Stanley Lombardo

Thrilling and Immersive

Lombardo's narration is a true testament to his skill and passion for storytelling. From the very first lines, his deep and resonant voice commands attention and instantly transports listeners to the battlefield of Troy. With every word, he weaves a vivid tapestry of emotions, bringing the characters to life and infusing the narrative with the power it deserves. Lombardo's ability to capture the essence of each character is remarkable, making them distinct and relatable, regardless of whether they are gods or mortals. Prepare to be enthralled and inspired by the enduring power of The Iliad.