The Iliad

By: Homer, Alexander Pope - translator

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 20 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode in the Trojan War. At its center is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, and his refusal to fight after being humiliated by his leader, Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles's close friend Patroclus, Achilles storms back into battle to take revenge - knowing full well that this will ensure his own early death.

This tragic series of events is interwoven with powerfully moving descriptions of the ebb and flow of battle, of the domestic world inside Troy's besieged city of Ilium, and of the conflicts between the gods on Olympus as they argue over the fate of mortals. The Iliad is a work of extraordinary pathos and profundity that concerns itself with issues as fundamental as the meaning of life and death. Even the heroic ethic itself - with its emphasis on pride, honor, prowess in battle, and submission to the inexorable will of the gods - is not left unquestioned. This version of The Iliad is the translation by Alexander Pope.

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor

Narration became monotonous

This might be a product of the poetic rhythm, but I think the maturation lacked emotional variance across scenes and characters. However the narrator was very clear and easy to follow.

The longest poem.

The graphic detail of prose puts the reader directly into the battle in a way even watching a movie could not. Very long and drawn out telling but as such was the times for oral tradition/stories. Would highly recommend and set reading cadence to 1.2-1.5 for dramatic effect.

Hard but worth it

Having never read it, it was high on my to-read list. Having survived the 20 hours I can say I’m glad it’s finally over. The narrator is absolutely phenomenal, one of the best I’ve heard. But being written in verse, it was difficult for my uneducated mind to follow, despite being very familiar with the story of Troy and Achilles already as I’m a nerd. Overall, glad I listened to it, but man am I glad it’s over.

Roman Translation

All the gods and heroes are the Roman translation: Ulysses vice Odysseus, Mars vice Aries. Wished I had found a fully translated version before I bought it. Still a great classic!

Fantastic translation and performance

Words fail me. The poetry in English surpasses expectations and makes me wonder at its complex Greek construction!

The gold standard

I’ll keep this review succinct: I have read every English translation of the Iliad and Pope is by far the best and most faithful to the source.

A true classic but…

I’ll keep this short, I love the Iliad but the narrator is the problem. He speaks clearly but he reads the peon without any inflection or emotion resulting in a dry reciting.

Lack of heroic verse?

I Would have preferred it in dactylic hexameter. It sounded more Elizabethan than Greek heroic verse.

Pope's masterful verse translation comes to life

I find myself wishing that Michael Page also did Pope's Odyssey. This was such a fun 65 hours. Often I would rewind and relisten to the most beautiful parts.

The beauty of Pope's Iliad made audible.

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

It is not about memorable moments. It is about being swept along on the tide of Pope's words.