Paradise Lost & Paradise Regained

By: John Milton

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Length: 16 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Paradise Lost, along with its companion piece, Paradise Regained, remain the most successful attempts at Greco-Roman style epic poetry in the English language. Remarkably enough, they were written near the end of John Milton's amazing life, a bold testimonial to his mental powers in old age. And, since he had gone completely blind in 1652, 15 years prior to Paradise Lost, he dictated it and all his other works to his daughter.

The main work represented in this recording, Paradise Lost, is divided into roughly three sections. In the first section, covering books one through four, we are shown how Satan manages to regroup his followers after their defeat in Heaven, how they decide to renew the struggle with God, how Satan escapes from Hell and makes his way to earth to do mischief, and how God discovers Satan's new plot and decides to allow it to unfold.

The next section, books five through eight, take place on earth as we are introduced to Adam and Eve, their discourses with God's angels, and a retelling of the battle between God and Satan as rendered by the angel Raphael.

In the last section, books nine through 12, Eve is seduced by a disguised Satan and eats the forbidden fruit. Adam, distressed at the event, yet unwilling to be parted from Eve, decides to eat the fruit and share her fate. God sends His Son to earth to render punishment, but only after the Son pleads successfully on their behalf for mercy. He descends and tells Adam that they can no longer remain in Eden, but then takes him to a place and shows him a vision of mankind's future.

Paradise Regained follows the Gospel of Luke in presenting the story of Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. In striking contrast to Adam and Eve, Satan is utterly foiled in his attempt to corrupt the Son of God.

Public Domain (P)2008 Audio Connoisseur

Excellent performance

This is an excellent performance of both poems by a talented and authoritatively voiced narrator. it begins with a short biography of Milton. I would definitely recommend it.

What a reader!

This guy was born to read epic poetry. Listened to this right after listening to his Iliad. Both spectacular, technically excellent readings. Bravo!

Narrator is poor.

Charlton Griffin has a cool voice, but I'm afraid he's not all that bright. Many mistakes of inflection indicate his poor comprehension of his subject. I got to chapter 2 when he refers to " Ahaz the 'Scottish Conqueror'...". Wadda dope!

excellent classic

This is very dense book. it is probably the only way to get through this is with an audible listen. The narrator really made this book come alive for me and did an excellent job.

Great Bio Followed by Milton's Masterpiece

Other reviewers criticized this audio book for the 2 hour bio of Milton. I thought the biography of Milton was excellent. It really puts the poem in perspective and gives the reader a better appreciation for Milton and for Paradise Lost. If you don't want to listen to the bio, just skip to the poem. Milton's beliefs about the relationship of church and state were way ahead of his time, and he quite literally put his neck on the line for his beliefs. Milton is often criticized for staying loyal to Cromwell long after it became clear that Cromwell had abandoned many of the principles which helped him come to power. But what choice did he have? The alternative to Cromwell was the Crown. With Cromwell and his successors there was some hope however slim, with the Crown there was none.

Anyhow, the poem itself is very well read, but listen to this when you can focus such as on a walk. If you're listening in the car you'll be hitting the 30 second rewind a lot or missing much. This is no fault of the narrator, it is just a very dense work.

Interesting.

Would you listen to Paradise Lost & Paradise Regained again? Why?

I would listen again. One, because it's necessary to understand everything that Milton is trying to say and two, it's very interesting. It makes you think about Christianity from multiple angles which takes you down trails of thought that you may have never ventured before.

What about Charlton Griffin’s performance did you like?

Mr Griffon's performance was great. I couldn't ask for more than he delivered in this audio.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

You could not take this all in one sitting. Unless you're very comfortable with Olde English and very versed in all the literary references. I am/was not. It would have taken me over 48 hours straight.

Any additional comments?

Gets sleepy at times. Easy to get lost in the language and references. Be prepared to rewind alot. Also helpfull to have some sort of study guide to reference while listening.

Ways of God Justified

Milton's poems describe, respectively, The Fall of Man and The Temptation of Christ. I first read them when I was a very young man and got little out of them. Re-reading and hearing them in my late middle age, I loved and revered them. I admired Milton's art both as a poet and a dramatist. His version of the The Fall is a tragedy as much as an epic, with scenes of high drama and psychological insight as well as of poetry and theology. I saw the personal as well as the spiritual damage that the heroes, Adam and Eve, sustained, and was glad that they and their kindred were given their hope of redemption. I did find Milton's Satan an excellent villain, nothing more, despite claims by those who apparently only read the first half of the story.

I was surprised that I was more than half convinced by Milton's justification of the works of God. I accepted, during the reading, at least, the Father's reasons for not doing more to protect his special creation. In the sequel, I agree with the Son's refusal to be impressed by what the Tempter had made of the world and his promise to reclaim it and rebuild it.


As for the narrator, Griffin has made a specialty of the classical and the epic, and his reading of this English epic is as good as anything he has done.

Well that's done

Would you try another book from John Milton and/or Charlton Griffin?

I won't try another Milton book, but the reader was great!

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Well,we all knew how the story ended. I was just glad the ordeal of the book was over.

Have you listened to any of Charlton Griffin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I really enjoyed his voice.

Was Paradise Lost & Paradise Regained worth the listening time?

I am torn. It is one of the books I have always heard that I should read- a Classic. But, it was unbearably long, and I would zone out frequently while listening. I would start chapters over so many times because I would just drift away for chapters at a time. There were times I was impressed by how many lines in the book have become cliches. This book is finally crossed off my list of things to read before I die.

THE BATTLE BETWEEN LUCIFER AND GOD

Where does Paradise Lost & Paradise Regained rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I THINK IS A MASTERPIECE AND MILTON IS A TOUCH OF GENIUS . ONE OF THE BEST STORIES I HAVE EVER HEARD

What did you like best about this story?

THE DIALOG BETWEEN SATAN AND THE OTHERS

What about Charlton Griffin’s performance did you like?

GRIFFIN'S PERFORMANCE WAS BEYOND EXCELLENCE!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

NO

Any additional comments?

I HAVE LISTENED TO IT MANY TIMES AND I THINK EVERY PERSON SHOULD HEAR IT.

Would have been a book of the Bible

This may seem dumb, but this was more religious propaganda than I expected. Wanted a bit more of a bible fan fiction. If this was written a few centuries earlier, it would probably have made it into the Bible.

The high points were the character portraits, but the descriptions and long lists were over the top and boring.