The Odyssey

By: Homer, Robert Fagles - translator

Narrated by: Ian McKellen

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of every man's journey through life. In the myths and legends that are retold here, the energy and poetry of Homer's original is captured in a bold, contemporary idiom, giving us an edition of The Odyssey that is a joy to listen to, worth savoring and treasuring for its sheer lyrical mastery.

This audiobook is sure to delight both the classicist and the general listener and to captivate a new generation of Homer's students.

(P) and ©1996 Penguin Books USA Inc.

Critic reviews

"To re-create a world where everything is living...is very nearly as difficult as to create it. Fagles does this with triumphant assurance; every arrowhead flashes lightning, every bush burns; Homer is with us." (James Dickey)

"It's a deeply satisfying experience to listen to McKellen's subtle, resonant voice weave the story. Cherish the images as the web of this great tale is woven before the eyes of the mind." (AudioFile)

Simply EXCELLENT!

Sir Ian McKellen reading Homer's Odyssey is the BEST possible conjunction of master and material...

Great, but with some quirks in audio fidelity.

The quality of the audio varies throughout, sometimes with an echo of the narrator’s voice in the background. Otherwise, a great reading of a great story.

Good but

Some of the time stamps are really messed up if you’re reading along with the actual book so just start from a chapter and try to read up to your point if you can’t find it!!

Greatest story I’ve encountered

The Odyssey is the greatest story I have ever encountered. It is endlessly interesting and worth revisiting in different translations. It provides a wonderful glimpse into life in another time while remaining entirely relatable. This is a prime example of the sort of book I thought was inaccessible to me when I was younger. I was wrong about that. Further, it’s the sort of story that once you come to know, you will start to see repeated in any number of contemporary novels, movies, tv shows. And maybe even in your own life.

It is especially good as an audiobook since the epic was recited long before it was written down. So you’re getting something closer to the original experience this way. This is the Fagles translation, which I’m quite fond of. The narration by McKellen is appropriately epic.

I have only one complaint. The audio is occasionally distorted, as though I’m listening to a vinyl record at too slow of a speed. I know this isn’t built into the original recording because I’ve owned the cds of this in the past. It doesn’t ruin the experience, as it only happens once or twice, but hopefully it’s something folks at audible can fix easily enough. It is the only flaw in an otherwise perfect performance of a perfect story.

One of the best

Amazing book by an amazing narrator! Everyone should have the privilege to give it a listen.

spellbinding voice

great performance!
wonderful translation.
hard to stop listening as it holds the imagination. and I must say this version has increased my appreciation of the story.

Phenomenal, apart from some recording errors

Narrator is stellar, of course! The only problem is two to three chapters in the middle that are recorded too softly with limited quality on the audio. All other chapters make up for it in spades. Love Fagles translation.

Truly Epic!

This fabled and well established narrator brings to life every one of Odysseus' exploits on his laborious journey back home. With the greatest of ease, I settled into this story enthralled from start to finish. Without a doubt, I knew I would lament it's conclusion, eager as I was to know the final outcome. The producers of this work have served the spirit of the text well. Many thanks to them.....

who are we to rate the legend?

as said above, who are we to rate what is holier than any holy book and what is more legendary than any legend.

Timeless masterpiece!!

Homer, translated by Robert Fagles, and read by Ian McKellan! Thundering Zeus himself could scarcely bring greater joy to mortals!!