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The Odyssey
- Narrated by: Ian McKellen
- Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release date: 16-12-1999
- Language: English
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
- Whispersync for Voice-ready
Regular price: $46.14
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Publisher's Summary
For informative lectures about Homer and The Odyssey, don't miss CliffsNotes on Homer's The Odyssey (Unabridged).
Critic Reviews
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
Overall
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars34
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4 Stars18
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3 Stars3
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2 Stars2
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1 Stars2
Performance
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars40
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4 Stars9
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3 Stars2
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2 Stars2
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1 Stars1
Story
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4 out of 5 stars
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5 Stars28
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4 Stars15
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3 Stars6
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2 Stars3
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1 Stars3
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- 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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Christopher Rowe-Spencer
- 18-03-2018
Well worth it, despite a few issues with the recording.
Iain Mckellen’s performance is excellent. The recording has a few issues; specifically, the recording’s clarity drops noticeably in two or three chapters, and in one extended section the playback speed is slightly reduced, dropping the pitch of the reader’s voice somewhat. Despite these, the reader remains easily understandable at all times, and the overall quality of the work remains very high. Definitely worth buying.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vic
- 13-06-2014
Fagles yes, McKellen yes, Production NO!
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
The narration is excellent, as is the translation; however, the production is terrible. The first thing I noticed is that in many places the recording skips or hiccups. This is absolutely unacceptable. As others have stated, if an actual human had checked this recording before it was offered for sale then these glitches would have been caught and hopefully corrected. As others have stated, the pitch also varies in places which is a shame because the narration is superb.
Hey Audible - ummm Amazon - I know you don't care but we pay for these recordings with real money. This is the age of options and you might find that your customers have gone elsewhere because you stopped caring. Maybe that's why, after being an Audible member since 2006, I canceled my membership.
You can do better, Amazon!
36 of 37 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Arthurian Tapestry
- 06-05-2012
Beautiful recording marred by audio problems!
First of all, this is a beautiful recording and translation of the Odyssey. For those, wishing to attempt Homer's epics, I highly suggest you start with the excellent Fagles rendering of the Iliad, also available here on audible and free of the quality problems that plague this file.
What mars this book has nothing to do with the narration or translation, but with the quality of the audio file itself. There is an earlier review here that states that the speed of the recording has been slowed down in one of the chapters. It even sounds like a different narrator. Some files sound pristine and clear, every OTHER file sounds like they recorded it through a closet wall. I found myself adjusting the treble on my speakers constantly.
I contacted Audible, and although they did respond; they wanted specific. All they have to do is to have an actual listener sit down and listen to these files on bigger sound system than that of a laptop or e-reader. I have yet to see a resolution.
130 of 138 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Alan
- 06-12-2013
Some chapter starts/audio issues
Any additional comments?
The 4 star rating in this case is only for the 2005 Penguin Audio audiobook edition of Robert Fagles' 1996 translation of Homer's The Odyssey. This is not a reflection on Fagles' translation or Ian McKellen's narration which are both 5 stars. The lower rating is only due to a few chapter/verse timing issues and the occasional distraction due to the ambience of different recording sessions combined into one audiobook. The recording is from the pre-digital download era and the audio chapters are based on approximate 30 minute timings (1 side of a cassette tape?), regardless of the actual Homeric verses. So the 24 Chapter starts are only occasionally equal to the beginnings of the 24 Verses of the Odyssey. This may or may not be a distraction for some. It is probably not a major issue if you are following along with a print edition.
One segment, Chapters 9 to 12 in the audiobook, middle of Verse 10 to the end of Verse 12 in Homer, has a significant audio issue. The speed of McKellen's reading drops to a deep bass voice at a seemingly slowed down audiospeed, as if the tape slowed down or McKellen was suffering from a serious cold on the day of the recording. This is enormously distracting when compared to the sound of the voice before and after this segment. Again, this is not a deal breaker but listeners should at least be forewarned of this fault.
The audiobook also excludes Bernard Knox's introduction that is available in the Penguin print edition.
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Perschon
- 15-09-2011
A masterpiece marred by technical glitches
Both Robert Fagles translation and Ian McKellen's reading are superb. However, at about five hours in, the recording began to exhibit technical glitches related to speed. I re-downloaded the audiobook, but to no avail. No matter how good McKellen is, listening to someone's voice slowed down or sped up is too annoying, especially for a work that already demands so much attention.
58 of 64 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Harold
- 22-10-2015
Extremely poor recording
What disappointed you about The Odyssey?
Great story
What about Ian McKellen’s performance did you like?
Great voice. Very pleasant to listen to.
Any additional comments?
Great translation, Great narrator..why not hire an engineer who knows what he is doing?
It is wonderful until about chapter 13, then it goes completely off the rails.
Don't waste your time or money on this one.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Gabriele
- 09-11-2010
Unabridged?
Fagles' is an excellent translation, and the reader is outstanding. One of the best contemporary translations. However, despite the "unabridged" label, this version appears to be subtly edited or cut down.
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Pamela
- 11-04-2014
Terrible Recording
Would you try another book from Homer (translated by Robert Fagles) and/or Ian McKellen?
I am an avid member of Audible because I want books, professional readers and professional recordings…this recording id terrible. A bad listen.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Stephen
- 13-11-2009
Just about perfect!
The translation is wonderful, and the narration absolutely superb. I cannot imagine a better way to approach this 'classic' of classical literature.
22 of 25 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kevin
- 07-04-2013
An Ancient Classic
As you can expect, especially if you have taken some time to read other reviews of this book, the narration of Sir Ian McKellen is absolutely top notch. He flows through the text as though he were born to it, with no pauses at places where the order, and choice of words, show how very long ago this was written. His inflection help make the story become larger than life, and showcases why this is considered to be such a grand, sweeping, epic.
I have read an account of this book as a child, but wanted to experience the epic in its full timeless glory. I have to admit, I was a little surprised at how many tears were shed by practically everyone included in the story. They do not detract much from the deeds of the most unlucky of heroes, Odysseus; but there were times in which they did not seem to enhance the story much either.
There were a couple of places where there seemed to be minor technical issues. A word clipped, resulting in missing perhaps a second or two of reading. Later, a section of narration lasting several minutes, where it seemed the speed of the recording was reduced by a small percentage. Just enough to lower the pitch of Ian's voice and make him sound a bit tired. Based on the rest of the narration, I am confident that this was not the case, but rather an unfortunate effect of the audio editing.
I highly recommend this audio book, and can see it as a wonderful supplement to a high school or college course in which the Odyssey is required reading. I am glad that I finally made the choice to experience this ancient classic.
16 of 18 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 16-01-2011
Perfect
No-one can beat Sir Ian at this kind of thing. He's probably one of the greatest performers of classical text. He doesn't just recite the verse, he speaks it. He speaks every sentence with immaculately chosen intonations that communicate meaning and emotion perfectly. I can't imagine a better reader to bring out the depth and magic of Homer.
14 of 16 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D
- 26-07-2016
Beautifully translated & read; poor sound quality
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
This is a recent, wonderful and acclaimed translation and it is beautifully read to boot. These outstanding qualities count for little as the sound quality is so poor that at times one gives up listening out of sheer frustration. The narrative is so muffled that at times it is indistinct and the narrative flow is lost. A real disappointment, not because of a poor text or bad reader, but because of a careless or indifferent presentation. I have tried listening to both the normal and the enhanced downloads and both suffer equally. Someone at Audible needs to look at this as I cannot believe the original would have been released with these obvious faults.
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Guilherme Malzoni Rabello
- 14-09-2017
Great translation, great narrator, disappointing recording
Homer, Fagles, and McKellen get all the laurels.
Penguin should burn in Hades for almost spoiling them: the great introduction was not included; the tracks don't match the original chapters (books), which makes navigating back and forward almost impossible; and the sound mixing makes McKellen sound as if he was now recording in the kitchen, then in the bathroom, later with a cold.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Beth Morgan
- 06-10-2016
Strange Chapters
This book is an excellent reading of the Odyssey. The only qualm I have with it is that the chapters do not correlate to the book numbers; as an example, book 5 starts in the middle of chapter 4, which can be somewhat confusing when trying to gauge where in the story you are. Other than that it was great!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- scott
- 15-03-2018
The greatest story ever written!
A timeless masterpiece superbly written and brilliantly narrated. Some issues with the sound quality but didn't diminish the enjoyment.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- colin monteith
- 14-06-2018
Wonderful version of Homer
Thoroughly enjoyed this bewitching and beautifully narrated tale. I was transported to ancient Greece and enthralled from start to finish
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Digseyboy
- 07-06-2018
Not my cup’o’tea!
I know it’s one of the classics, but I found it very well read by Ian Mckellen a rich and rounded voice but the story just wasn’t for me at all.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 18-09-2017
an interesting but long and hard listen
I did enjoy it but felt it had become a chore by the end as it is very drawn out and repetitive (in a poetic way) as time went on. can be hard to listen to and required concentration but you Will learn about Greek mythology.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- pearl_of_wisdom
- 26-01-2017
wonderful story
This is a fantastic story and perfectly read by Gandolf! No wonder it reminds me of lord of the rings.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Felicity H
- 12-11-2016
Telling a little too dramatic
This is a classic and great story that I've always wanted to read but I'm very happy that I've listened to it finally!
The only real drawback for me was that I found Ian mckellen a little too dramatic with his reading at times. I think he's great but sometimes I would have preferred less pausing but it didn't deter me from listening to the whole thing.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Victoria Yorston
- 09-03-2017
The Awdyssey!
..what a struggled, been on my list for a while and found it tedious!! the narrative was good but fell asleep to it most nights.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful