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Libby has one narrated by Dan Stevens, although I haven't listened to it to give a personal recommendation. But he has also narrated a lot of mystery/thriller books, which makes me think he'd do a good job here!

Hannah wrote: "Libby has one narrated by Dan Stevens, although I haven't listened to it to give a personal recommendation. But he has also narrated a lot of mystery/thriller books, which makes me think he'd do a ..."

Oh sweet, thank you! I was leaning towards that one since it’s Libby haha. Is it Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey fame? Because if so I love his voiceover work in stuff and that seems reason enough to listen to it.

Try LibriVox. Not sure about the quality.

J wrote: "Try LibriVox. Not sure about the quality."

Oh sweet I’ll look that up, thank you!

I have the Dan Stevens narrated version of Robert Fitzgerald’s translation, which is my favorite. Dan does a great job. I can’t help if you’re looking for a Robert Fagles narration.

I’m not sure what translation is best. However, Dan Stevens is an amazing narrator.

Scott wrote: "I have the Dan Stevens narrated version of Robert Fitzgerald’s translation, which is my favorite. Dan does a great job. I can’t help if you’re looking for a Robert Fagles narration."

Ooo okay yea Dan Stevens is seeming to be a winner, thank you!

Valerie wrote: "I’m not sure what translation is best. However, Dan Stevens is an amazing narrator."

True I mean honestly I’d listen to him read anything haha I think that’s what I’ll go with thank you!

I'd say, S., listen to it orally in the original Greek, followed by a translation. THE ILLIAD was never meant for a non-Greek audience. BTW, I recommend Simone Weil's brilliant essay, "The Illiad: A Poem of Force".

sunny (ethel cain’s version) wrote: "same"

He voiced the villain on this Netflix show, Kipo, which was way more charming and fun than id ever expected and he was DELIGHTFUL

Julio wrote: "I'd say, S., listen to it orally in the original Greek, followed by a translation. THE ILLIAD was never meant for a non-Greek audience. BTW, I recommend Simone Weil's brilliant essay, "The Illiad: ..."

Ha alas I think I’ll have to skip the Greek but that Weil essay sounds amazing I’ll check that! Read her book against political parties awhile ago and found her quite interesting.

Weil's essay is where Hannah Arendt got her idea about "the banality of evil". The very phrase is found in Weil. BTW, addressing your previous post, I do not know of Trotsky meeting Simone Weil in France but it is possible. I do know Charles De Gaulle met her in exile in England and pronounced her "a lunatic".

Julio wrote: "Weil's essay is where Hannah Arendt got her idea about "the banality of evil". The very phrase is found in Weil. BTW, addressing your previous post, I do not know of Trotsky meeting Simone Weil in ..."

Oh cool, I do love some Arendt and did not realize that connection. Ha, yea, she got really into like...spirituality type stuff late in life right?
OH I found it, so Trotsky actually stayed at her parent's flat--turns out not hers--in December 1933 and reportedly came up with the idea of the Fourth International while there. But I'm not sure if they interacted much while he was there.

Trotsky's year in France is the most mysterious chapter of his life in exile, and intentionally so, since he figured that France, with its strong Communist Party, was the perfect haven for Stalin's agents to assassinate him.
Re Weil and her politics: She was a great analyst of political literature, including THE ILLIAD, but a poor participant in politics. One has only to recall her joining the International Brigade in Spain, among the Anarchists, and then quickly leaving. Who wouldn't be in favor of abolishing all political parties? But, how do we get there? Orwell was up to his ears in politics but that did not stop him from perceiving the contemporary scene, as Europe slid towards fascism, with greater insight than Weil, with all due respect.

Julio wrote: "Trotsky's year in France is the most mysterious chapter of his life in exile, and intentionally so, since he figured that France, with its strong Communist Party, was the perfect haven for Stalin's..."

Ah yea, and was that before all his family had been murdered as well? So Weil definitely more a writer than active participant then? And true, often the issue with great ideas is getting to a world where those ideas could even happen ha. Especially in politics where it would require of the people in government to go against their own self interests to make it happen.
And fair. Orwell did seem to have a keen insight, I've actually been thinking about rereading 1984, pulled it down from the shelf last night.

Da, S.: Trotsky's son died in France that year under suspicious circumstances. Stalin even had his distant relatives killed.
Re Orwell: I respect your desire to re-read "1984" but suggest you try the 4 volume "Collected Letters, Essays and Journalism". (By a strange coincidence, I bought my English language copy while visiting Lisbon.) You will everything from a review of TROPIC OF CANCER, along with correspondence with Miller, to "Reflections on Gandhi" (not positive, I assure you) and notes on composing "1984".

Steve, I’m a little-late to this, but the Alexander Pope translation is the most flowing to listen to for me. I eventually decided to read the the Robert Fagles translation, but for awhile I listened to the LibriVox recording of Pope’s translation of The Iliad.

The Audra McDonald audiobook from audible is excellent. It’s the Emily Wilson translation, but the intention of the translation is an accessible entry way for modern audiences. Wilson makes controversial decisions of excluding some of the verses but I think you would still get the essence of the story.