The Iliad

The Fitzgerald Translation

De: Homer, Robert Fitzgerald - translator

Narrado por: Dan Stevens

Since it was first published more than forty years ago, Robert Fitzgerald’s prizewinning translation of Homer’s battle epic has become a classic in its own right: a standard against which all other versions of The Iliad are compared. This definitive translation of Homer’s epic is timeless in its authority and always fresh in its vivid rendering of the preeminent war story of the Western world.

In keeping with the oral tradition of the time, Dan Stevens’s extraordinary narration makes this epic tale come alive. The listener becomes totally immersed in the adventure and drama of the story - this is the way The Iliad was meant to be experienced.

Also included on the program is a portion of the poem read in ancient Greek so that listeners may experience the lyricism and music of the original language.

©2004 Farrar, Staus, and Giroux (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Perfect Narration

If you feel guilty because you never read The Iliad and all of your friends have, you should listen to this narration. He is a great narrator. I even listened with interest to the endless list of all of the warriors that were brought into battle.

Great performance

It's been many years since I have read The Iliad. I really enjoyed listening and remembering the first time I read it.

Good

Good. Very good. I liked it and thought it was good. I would listen again.

Third time’s the charm.

This was the third time I have read The Iliad over the last thirty years and it was the best by far. Now, from other stories I know the characters so much better—Odysseus, Patroclus, Menelaus, Aneius, Agamemnon, Hector, Paris, Prium. I knew them and paid attention when they were in scene. The story flowed this time.

A remarkable audio version of a Western classic

The Iliad is a classic work that needs no introduction. If you're interested in ancient history or Greek mythology, there's nothing as good as this. If you're not already interested, this isn't the book that's going to spark that interest. You'll probably find the story dry and the long genealogies tedious.

For this version, Dan Stevens does a remarkable job of bringing Robert Fitzgerald's verse to life. The men and gods are constantly in motion. You feel their grief, their wrath, and their bonds of friendship. I struggled to actually read the Iliad, but I'm so glad that I gave this audio version a chance. It made me feel like I was listening to the story in its original oral tradition. The long list of names and places that I couldn't keep track of in print are swept away by Dan Stevens and I was able to focus on the main characters and the narrative of the story. If you picked up the Iliad before and couldn't finish it, I implore you to get the audio version and enjoy it.

Best reading ever

Best performance of the Greek classic I have ever heard! Worth the time and money.

🌈Homer’s Epic Masterpiece🦌

This is as flawless a translation as has ever been thusfar rendered into contemporary English. Moreover, Robert Fitzgerald was undoubtedly the very greatest scholar of Homeric Greek.

I attended St. John’s College (Santa Fe campus) where Dr. Fitzgerald was honored almost as a god by the College Tutors (Professors); I remember now with tears, when we lowered our campus flag to half staff, back in the Summer of 1984 when he unfortunately died, ironically while the Olympics were in full progression — which seemed almost like Ancient Greek Funeral Games, for our great fallen Hero.

Regarding this Audiobook, the reader of this magnum opus indeed did a fine job, without doubt. Yet, that being said, I must say here that it would be untruthful of me to say the performance was on par with the Audiobook of the Iliad as read by Sir Derick Jacobi — who did far, far better justice to a lesser-quality translation of Homer’s Primary Epic. However, Sir Derick’s Audible Book Version was unfortunately NOT translated by Robert Fitzgerald; by a man who was not at all as gifted a translator as Fitzgerald, to be sure. That is why I gave this performance just a three-star rating; this particular Audible Audiobook, is obviously the more masterful translation and its reader therefore should have been far better: Thus it should have been performed by Sir Derick Jacobi‼️

With the above said, if one were to listen to only one Audible Audiobook of The Iliad, this version seems undoubtedly the Superior Choice. In my humble opinion too, one would do well to listen to BOTH Audible Audiobook versions, for the best grasp of the dramatic grandeur of Homer’s Great Epic and story. — So, that goes for the Odyssey Audible Audiobook too: buy & listen to ‘em •BOTH•‼️ After all, they as a whole are priceless works; well worth the investment (and enjoyment.)

Great book!

Really great book! Dan Stevens is a great narrator! Love the British accent!

Dan Stevens brings the Iliad to life

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

I would recommend this audiobook to anyone who is interested in reading the Iliad. Dan Stevens brought the poetry to life in a way that made the story instantly comprehendible and very engaging.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Achilles is such an arrogant jerk — I loved him.

Any additional comments?

Dan Stevens delivers such an excellent performance of a timeless story. I can’t recommend enough!

a classic

An excellent production of a classic tale. I was impressed with the sophistication of the similes from so long ago.