THE ILIAD

Petulant gods and goddesses champion their favorite mortal heroes in this immortal tale of the fall of Troy. Samuel Butler's translation shines in this abridgment of the classic epic poem. Roger Rees's narration is impeccable, giving each character just enough nuance to bring it to life without losing the rhythm of the narrative. The production opens and closes with something like a Greek chorus and is punctuated throughout with bits of instrumental music. These moments give the listener a few seconds' pause amidst the clash of arms, while lending an air of authenticity to the scenes. J.J.F. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 01]