The Iliad

By: Homer, Stephen Mitchell - translator

Narrated by: Alfred Molina

Length: 16 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The power and the beauty of The Iliad resound again across 2,700 years in Stephen Mitchell's exciting new translation, as if the lifeblood of its heroes Achilles and Patroclus, Hector and Priam flowed in every word. And we are there with them amid the horror and ecstasy of war, carried along by a poetry that lifts even the most devastating human events into the realm of the beautiful.

Based on the recent, superb M.L. West edition of the Greek, this Iliad is more accessible and moving than any previous version. Whether it is his exciting recent version of Gilgamesh, with more than 150,000 copies sold, or his unmatched translation of the poet Rilke, still the standard after 29 years, or his Tao Te Ching, which has sold more than 900,000 copies and has itself been translated into six languages, Stephen Mitchell's books are international sensations. Now, thanks to his scholarship and poetic power, which re-creates the energy and simplicity, the speed, grace, and continual thrust and pull of the original, The Iliad's ancient story bursts vividly into new life and will reach an even larger audience of listeners.

Please note: Book 10, recognized since ancient times as a later addition to the Iliad, has been omitted in this translation.

©2011 Stephen Mitchell (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“Stephen Mitchell’s magnificent new translation of the Iliad reminds us that there is always a new and different way to read and interpret the great classics, and that they need to be reinvigorated from generation to generation, just as we need to be reminded that they are, however venerated, above all stories: exciting, full of life and great characters, in short great entertainment, not just great monuments of culture or the Western canon. Mr. Mitchell has accomplished this difficult feat wonderfully well, and produced a book which is a joy to read and an Iliad for this generation.” (Michael Korda, D. Litt., author of Hero, Ike, and Ulysses S. Grant)

"Stephen Mitchell has done a marvelous thing here: he has given fresh energy and poetic force to a work that perennially repays our attention. Without the Iliad the West would be a vastly poorer place; Homer’s achievement speaks to every successive generation with its unflinching understanding of the essential tragic nature of life. Mitchell’s translation is a grand accomplishment.” (Jon Meacham, author of American Lion)

"Mitchell’s wonderful new version of the Iliad is a worthy addition to his list of distinguished renditions of the classics.” (Peter Matthiessen)

Truly a Brilliant Modern Translation

Where does The Iliad rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Quite high up among the books I have listened to so far. (and there have been many scores).

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Iliad?

When Achilles learns that Patroclus is dead, his grief, the funeral pyre for his fiend and lover. All this then followed by Achilles' killing rage against Hector and his desecration of Hector's body dragged around the walls of Troy.

Which scene was your favorite?

The desperate battle of the Greeks when they are driven back to their ships by the Trojans and nearly overrun.

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

No, far too long. This book should be listened to is parts like it was sung.

Any additional comments?

I have read many translations of Homer's The Iliad. I did not think Richard Lattimore's translation could be bettered but Stephen Mitchell achieved that with a truly inspired translation. The text is in clear English, not overblow, not overly poetic, but quite rich, imaginatively strong and noble as befits this epic; an epic which continues to be read all over the world and has been for thousands of years because it is the foundation of one of the greatest civilizations ever know to the world - the Greeks.

awesome

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Molina's reading of this classic is just spell binding. I could listen to the way he pronounces the Greek names endlessly!

What did you like best about this story?

gods vs man, man vs man, gods vs gods. Timeless

Which character – as performed by Alfred Molina – was your favorite?

really all of them

Any additional comments?

skip the incredibly long, pedantic chapters by the translator....

Great Read, But Skip Past the Intro

The actual story and performance is amazing but I'm docking my review by one star for the awful preface that comes out of nowhere. It was read by someone who I would not go out of my way to listen to, but still, you've got to be patient! The actual story is great, but please, please, please recut the recording to remove the preface. It gives away too much of the story and is a real snoozefest.

Some reviewers were reviewing the introduction

Would you listen to The Iliad again? Why?

Yes, because Alfred Molina does a beautiful job.

Any additional comments?

I just wanted to make it clear that many people gave this recording a bad review and then went on to describe the introduction, which, I agree, was read by someone who I would not go out of my way to listen to, but still, you've got to be patient! That intro was unannounced and went on long enough that it is understandable that someone would think maybe it was just some absurd abridgment/outline if they didn't know that we were just waiting for Alfred to begin.

Skip the intro.

The introduction is written and narrated badly.
The Iliad itself is the Iliad and well narrated.

Great Translation/ technical issues

Having attempted to finish this book multiple times since reading excerpts in high school I have to say this translation was fantastic. By focusing on translating intent rather than mimicking the flowery prose that seems to overwhelm and muddy other transactions, the power of the story is laid bare allowing the reader to fully engage with the elements of human nature on display that clearly stands as a testament it’s timeless.
The narrator also does a fantastic job.
The only minor issue I had was that there are dips in audio quality that can sometimes effect clarity.

I Found the Poetry in the Illiad

Both the introductory chapters and the melodic narration helped me feel the poetry of the Illiad and appreciate it in a way I never could before.

Excellent translation

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! Alfred Molina is every bit as good as a narrator as he is an actor. His talent helps add to the power of the Iliad.

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

Absolutely masterful. I've always appreciated him and do so even more having heard his reading skill. He is melodious, powerful, and sensitive to every aspect of this epic novel.

Masterpiece!

If you have never fallen in love with The Iliad, please listen to this right now, and hear the story the way the ancient Greeks did. Enthralling story telling about the human experience, not just a war book. And the narrator is a master, too.

Loved it!

Hard and arduous I've tried to read this before, but this read like butter. Extraordinary. Look forward to reading Mitchell's translation of other works!