The Iliad

By: Homer, Stephen Mitchell - translator

Narrated by: Alfred Molina

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)

Sing the Rage of Achilles

Greatest story of all time performed by a fantastic actor! Alfred Molina is stellar in his performance.

Mitchell's Translation is Brilliant Poetry

I would love to write like a blast of a sudden squall
whose strong five-beat rhythm can with light and thunder, churning
the dark page into a fury, and countless words
surge and toss on its pages, high-arched and white-capped,
and crash down onto the Internets in endless ranks:
just so did the translators charge in their ranks, each simile
packed close together.

Another great experience with the Iliad

Seeing as one simply does not critique The Iliad...my goal in doing this review was to simply say that after reading the Iliad and also listening to the Iliad, I would have to recommend Audible's version as most enjoyable.

As Expected

Would you consider the audio edition of The Iliad to be better than the print version?

At times- its a little harder to skip through pages of very descriptive killing. I did that reading a different translation. The Iliad, as beautiful as it is, can be quite long winded.

What did you like best about this story?

The character arch types of Hector and Achilles. One fights for honor and defending his people. One fights for revenge and glory. Both become famous. Both die in the same war. It sends a message of means over the ends. Its the journey not the destination. It highlights human nature and makes me question who I am and what I want to be.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hector speech about the inevitability of death and encouragement to fight. It reminded me of the Braveheart freedom speech. Braveheart may have borrowed from it.

Fabulous translation...

...and the the narrator was magnificent. the poetry was uplifting despite all the bloodshed. I cannot imagine a better way to read this classic than with this performance. It was originally meant to be read aloud. this version does it justice.

Magnificent reading! Wrong voice sample?

The voice in the sample sounds very boring and lacks emotion. But the real content was just wonderful to hear!

Best of the Acheans

Truly outstanding interpretation and performance of the "ILIAD"! Alfred Molina makes this classic, the oldest in Western culture, really come to life and leave the classroom or private study behind. This is a controversial new translation by Prof. Stephen Mitchell and I did not know what to expect. I've read most of the other Homeric translations, even those that nobody bothers to read anymore -- Alexander Pope, Lord Derby, anyone? And yes, I've read the originals, too. When one gets over losing some of one's favorite lines, the action runs off like a galloping horse. I was totally caught up and involved in this production. Mr. Molina turns in a masculine yet nuanced narration, taking the parts of the different speakers in the story with believable effect. One of the most exciting, easily understood ILIADs ever.

Worth the Read, but you have to let yourself get i

The Iliad is awesome, but takes getting used to. I am giving it five starts, but I could see how some people might not like it. I loved it. You have to be ready to enter into the weird, poetic, pagan and violent world of the bronze age greeks. You can't expect a modern book from it. If you are up for poetry and imagery this is the book for you. Like a fleet footed gazelle when it springs up the side of a rock covered hill in the early morning and Zeus that all powerful Father of gods and men fills it with strength and speed as it races itself to the top to catch a glimpse the rising sun. Just so did my fingers flit over the keys yearning toward the submit button as I wrote this review.

The Iliad wow

I had to play it at .75 to enjoy and savor the details. I was such a life changing experience to actually enjoy it. Will definitely recommend it and hope you enjoy it the way I did!

So well read by Mr. Molina!

It was a great pleasure to listen and read along with the book. Stephen Michell produced a fine, even beautiful translation.