The Aeneid

By: Virgil

Narrated by: Simon Callow

Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is the much-anticipated new translation of Virgil's epic poem from the award-winning translator Robert Fagles.

The publication of a new translation by Fagles is a literary event. His translations of both the Iliad and Odyssey have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and have become the standard translations of our era. Now, with this stunning modern verse translation, Fagles has reintroduced Virgil's Aeneid to a whole new generation, and completed the classical triptych at the heart of Western civilization.

The Aeneid is a sweeping epic of arms and heroism and a searching portrait of a man caught between love, duty, and the force of his own destiny. Here, Fagles brings to life the timeless journey of Aeneas as he flees the ashes of Troy to found Roman society and change forever the course of the Western world.

Fagles' translation retains all of the gravitas and humanity of the original as well as its powerful blend of poetry and myth.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2006 Robert Fagles
(P)2006 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. All rights reserved.

Good Exciting Story

This was a good book. Exciting and action packed. I also noticed the problem of wrong times for the chapters in the audiobook, and then I saw Maggie’s review which helped immensely. :) Great piece of classic literature

A hellenist's review of the audio Aeneid

I should provide a quick note on my bias before I begin my review: I am a graduate student in classics However, I am a hellenist (i.e. I study Greek rather than Roman stuff). I also really don't like Virgil.

I have to confess that although I study classics, I have never been able to get all the way through the Aeneid before this (I've just read the sections I needed to get the gist for class). I've really tried to get into it-- I previously read portions of the Fagles, Fitzgerald, and Mandelbaum translations-- but I just couldn't get hooked. The audiobook did the trick-- I listened to the whole thing over the course of a week.

Simon Callow can be a little over dramatic and female voices are pretty grating, but he read at a reasonable pace and he kept my interest in the story. I actually even enjoyed some of it.

Fagles' translation of the Latin (I've read books II and VIII in Latin, so I have some minimal basis for judgement) has the virtue of being fairly literal, while still providing an accessible modern English text. In general, Fagles' translations seem to be more enjoyable aloud than on paper (I have also recently listened to Fagles' Odyssey and I found it to be the same way).

As I've mentioned, the Aeneid is not really my cup of tea. Yet, listening to it gave the story a different and more enjoyable pace. I highly suggest the audio version for anyone who needs to read Virgil's epic either for class or exams (or, honestly, for anyone who just wants a passing acquaintance with the influential texts of classical literature).

The Best Aeneid Translation Ever

This translation of the Aeneid stands head and shoulders above anything else I have seen in English. It's exciting, to the point, and very very nuanced. The narrator is a fantastic choice too. His voice creates a world and moves you along through it. I put on my earphones just intending to to listen to a few minutes of the beginning the night I downloaded this, and I was pulled in for four hours of adventure before I could finally force myself to click "stop".

A great story, but not the best narration.

Any additional comments?

Buy the Charlton Griffin narrated version!
This book is great but I highly recommend the Charlton Griffin narrated version. It is a better narration and translation. But best of all it begins with a wonderful introduction that includes a greatly needed chapter by chapter synopsis of the events of the book. See my review of that version for more a more detailed review.

Great book

This book is even better—in ways—than the odyssey. It has so much more emotion in it, but shies away from maudlin drama. Well read and written with echoes of the odyssey coming through it. It’s incredible.

Engaging listen BUT

This is an engaging performance of the Aeneid, HOWEVER, the chapters, illogically, do not correspond to Virgil’s book divisions.

Fagles is best

I've been a huge fan of Fagles' translations before buying this book and this translation does not disappoint. For epics such as this, the Iliad, and the Odyssey I've chosen to to read the actual book as I'm listening. For people, such as myself, whose concentration is not the greatest (I've had a couple strokes so I have an excuse) the combination of listening while reading is terrific.

I think the narrator is terrific and Rober Fagles is just amazing. If you like Fagles Aeneid, be sure to read and/or listen to his Iliad and Odyssey. Also, check out Steven Mitchell's "Gilgamesh", also availble from audible.com.

The reading part is great but the editing…

The Aeneid had 12 books and the audible book is divided in 10 parts, cutting chapters at random. It drove me nuts! The performance is great though

Gripping

Somehow, I had not read The Aeneid (after Iliad and Odyssey) but I was fortunate to listen to Simon Callow’s gripping narration for my first pass at this classic. Each book kept my attention and the overarching sweep was remarkable. There is good reason Virgil is still so revered.

Epic indeed

Simon Callow is a perfect narrator for an epic story like this one. Highly recommend this excellent performance of an excellent translation.