The Iliad & The Odyssey

By: Homer

Narrated by: John Lescault

Length: 28 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Little is known about the Ancient Greek oral poet Homer, the supposed 8th century BC author of the world-read Iliad and his later masterpiece, The Odyssey. These classic epics provided the basis for Greek education and culture throughout the classical age and formed the backbone of humane education through the birth of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity. If Homer did in fact exist, this supposedly blind poet was from some region of Greek-controlled Asia-Minor and recited his poems at festivals and political assemblies. In this extraordinary two volume audio set, the glorious saga again unfolds, telling the story of courage and magical adventure in Ancient Greece.

The Iliad, the first of Homer's epic poems, tells of the counsel of Nestor, Achilles's slaying of Hector, and the defeat of the Trojans by the Greeks.

In The Odyssey, in his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, Odysseus must pass through the land of the Cyclopes, encounter Circe the Enchantress, and face the terrible Charybdis and the six headed serpent Scylla.

Both epics are translated here by Samuel Butler.

(P)2002 Commuters Library

A Difficult Listen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Worthwhile in the sense of learning (or reminding myself) about Greek mythology and history. But both The Iliad and the Odyssey were written as oral history/ballads, and as such Homer calls out every single character and his/her lineage. It's a bit much. His prose is highly repetitive and there is not much that the narrator can do to make it an enticing listen.

Would you be willing to try another book from Homer? Why or why not?

Having had four years of Latin in high school I should have remembered how ponderous the works seem in translation.

What three words best describe John Lescault’s voice?

Pleasant, a bit bored (hard to make much of Homer), dogged.

Did The Iliad & The Odyssey inspire you to do anything?

No.

A classic from which so many others were molded

This is a must have for anyone interested in our ancient ancestors and the well spring from which so much of our modern stories come.

Ancient bards used to have to memorise this? Wow.

An overwhelming tale of scheming petulant gods, bloodthirsty warriors set in the days of ancient Greece. The Odyssey was more appealing story wise for me perhaps because of its more concentrated scope.

Add awesome and outstanding journey In mythology

What a wonderful group of stories from Greek mythology. It was very entertaining and I'm sad that it is over now

Meh.

Me. to love it, but, he is monotone in a way, without being monotone. That is to say, his voice has a repetitive cadence, like someone reading Shakespeare, but not in a way that makes it relatable or real. Very difficult to get lost in this one, more like a struggle to keep focused on it.

Verbosity abounds

This translation is very verbose and contains much seemingly superfluous language. Whether the originals were so written, I do not know. If so, I find only the antiquity of these pieces to be exceptional. Perhaps the original is more articulate.

What can you say

Always meant to take the time to read this. No way am I going to comment. It is the classic.

Well Worth It

2 in 1? ✅
Great voice? ✅
Elegant translation? ✅
John Lescault paints the hearts, wants, and deeds of Bronze Age warriors in vivid color, echoing the voices of people both long dead and yet to be born.
Homer is still goated.

A classic?

While this book is considered literary classic, the narrator leaves much to be desired. The up & down volume is a distraction! I want this selection in my library, only because I am a true fan of the classics.

Poor narration

The melodramatic narration, complete with mispronounciations, kept me from being able to even get halfway through The Illiad. Very disappointing.