Excellent use of a credit

I adore this book. The narration can’t be beat.
If only he would narrate the Iliad.

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Ian Mcellen brings this story to life!

A classic tale that is wonderfully read by Ian Mcellen, he brings the story to life!

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Really good narration.

It really was well read. The only downside was the music between chapters and other places; that could have been done without with no loss at all.

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Eminently listenable

You had me at ‘Sir Ian McKellen reads The Odyssey’! I’m thrilled to have this audiobook. Of course Sir Ian’s narration is fantastic, and I enjoy the translation. It’s easy to listen to and engrossing and I suspect Robert Fagles had a pretty good sense of the language and context when he decided to use phrases like “playing fast and loose”; it isn’t stuffy or dry like one might expect. Absolutely loved it!

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The best of the ancient epics

Like all ancient epics, The Odyssey has moments of slow pacing that require some perseverance. However, more so than in any other, these lulls are consistently rewarded with something truly remarkable on the other side. The story is rich with profound metaphors for life, and the entire narrative serves as an allegory for a man’s journey through life. Many of the iconic characters and tropes you know from the western cultural zeitgeist find their origins here.

Unlike other epics that often focus on the brutal virtues of war and the need for violence, the Odyssey emphasizes cunning, wit, and the difficulty navigating between equally undesirable choices. It explores the sorrow and horror of life’s hardships that are thrust upon us due to no merit of our own (by “the gods”) making it deeply resonant and enduring even for those of us whose biggest battles have been food poisoning or anxiety.

Robert Fagles’ translation strikes an impressive balance, capturing the grand, almost ‘baroque’ richness of the text without resorting to archaic or overly complex language. The narration is excellent, adding to the timelessness of this epic.

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What can you say about "The Odyssey"...

This is actually my second purchase of this particular version of this audiobook. My first was during university with the tape version bought through my campus bookstore. It is basically the identical version that is presented here today. Which means as with the original tapes there are some problems. There is some audio level mistakes, some pops, and blips over the presentation of the material but nothing that really overall hinders the recording. Everything is understandable especially if you are following along with the written work (which for me, actually really helps me to understand). And with this version being digital, it is much easier to take on the road with you. Its a lot harder to find a tape player that works in a vehicle these days.

As for the story, The Odyssey is one of those stories you either love or you hate. Its long, and windy and is written in epic poetry using lots of hyperbole, metaphors, and invocation but when you understand the story it becomes thrilling. You rise up with Odysseus and come crashing down with him in every movement. The amount of suffering one man goes through to return home is outrageous and you hope that something good happens to him only to realize that there is too much story left for something not to happen. You feel with the characters even though their stories are usually told through others. And that was the point of these stories. To be told to others, to entertain others and to teach and that is what The Odyssey does. It teaches numerous themes through the stories that it presents and you can find those themes in countless stories because of The Odyssey. Overall I give The Odyssey a high regard. It is one of those stories everyone has to read, everyone should read even if they battle through it because it is worth it in the end.

#Audible1

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I only have one complaint

That weird digital pan flute sound clip that plays every so often, it sucks, and in no way benefits the story. Its obnoxious.

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Audio is choppy and low quality

Sir Ian McKellen was a great choice for narrator and he does a great job at keeping my interest vested.

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Reading & Story - good. Recording quality-lacking.

The quality of the recording wasn’t very good. The volume of Ian McKellen’ voice would change after each musical interlude and at times it sounded like the recording was taped over another recording.
But the reading was good and so was the story.

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2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile