THE ESSENTIAL ILIAD

Stanley Lombardo reads his translation of THE ILIAD expressively, in a strong, distinguished voice. While he doesn't individuate characters, he "feminizes" his manner for women--sometimes, unfortunately, bordering on caricature. He summarizes the books omitted from the abridgment, and Susan Sarandon summarizes those included, adding little besides her name to the package. Other omissions are noted by line numbers, a level of detail distracting and unnecessary for listeners. The original musical theme framing each book is evocative and haunting but played too often. A soft musical theme is also used to "italicize" long poetic figures, a practice distracting, pointless and, eventually, silly. The abridgment is acceptable, but one misses a lot, summaries or no. This is--essentially--a well-done presentation, but more Homer and less fuss would have been better. W.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 07]