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The Odyssey
- Narrated by: Ian McKellen
- Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins
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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.
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What listeners say about The Odyssey
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jonathan
- 03-10-2022
My vote for the greatest audiobook of all time
I’ve listened to this several times. Fagles’ translation is thrilling but McKellens performance is simply astonishing. How is it even humanly possibly for him to give such intonation to a sentence is beyond me. Absolutely brilliant.
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- Sonny Carter
- 29-04-2023
‘You shall not pass.’
Who better to narrate Poseidon’s zeal of ‘You shall not pass’ that is the story of poor Odysseus & his trials returning home from the Battle of Troy than Ian McKellen.
The oldest & most enduring slow burn story ever told. Whilst the reader is left in no doubt as to the ending from the opening chapter, the protagonist’s thirst for justice & revenge is shared by the reader who shares Odysseus journey. Like the best slow burn stories the payoff is well worth the journey that is filled with wondrous tales.
Superbly performed by Ian McKellen.
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- Amazon Customer
- 31-01-2021
Great Translation and Performance
Robert Fagles translation is wonderful poetic adaptation with a rhythmic drive and the performance of Sir Ian McKellen is absolutely suberb. There is, however, some annoying and distracting music (sounds like a toddler poking at 1980s synthesiser) which randomly intrudes for a few seconds every now and then; not a big issue, but it would be great if it wasn't there. I still highly recommend this book though.
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- Ryan Morrow
- 04-04-2018
A classic but trying
I a great read no doubt & a story from history, no less. however the music does nothing & the story trails on. The performance is amazing.
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- Adrian Cook
- 13-05-2021
very good, but poor production
Enjoyed the classic story.
However it lost a star because of a jarring whistle/ trumpet noise that sometimes gets played.
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- Thomas
- 24-10-2020
fantastic tale, the most beautifully written epic
this audio book is so well read, and honnestly; the perfect companion for long drives
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- Anonymous User
- 20-10-2020
Homeward
Excellent story of one man's journey back home from War, will definitely listen again 👍
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- Reuben
- 18-03-2021
Captivating classic
Perfectly read, additional touches of music added a regal feel. I would have struggled to finish the book but found myself bingeing this audiobook!
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- Glenn Hanley
- 11-02-2023
Great
I live this story and I loved the performance
Just great got nothing else to say.
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- 99Albert
- 02-06-2021
Odysseus for modern ears
Robert Fagles's translation is modern and listenable without being crude. Ian McClellan's Shakespearean experience is crystal clear and precise. No mumbling or dropping intonations.
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1 person found this helpful