The Odyssey

Rating:
Summary: Hear the Sirens sing.
Review: Another example of employing a format without considering the means by which it will likely be used. The CDs have no internal "tracking" or programs. Thus, if you listen to the book in your car and don't finish the entire disk before turning the engine off, you'd better hope that you have a newer CD player than I possess. Otherwise, the player will default to the beginning of the last track that was played--in this case skipping back to where you were when you started the 45 minute drive. Even if you have a newer player, if the book is being listened too during a commute to your children's school, they would be unable to take the CDs with them to continue the book in another car on the way home.

Aaaarrrgghhh.

Note, however, that the translation and performance struck me as being well done (at least for the first 45 minutes!).

Rating:
Summary: This Applies only to the Audio CD
Review: Another example of employing a format without considering the means by which it will likely be used. The CDs have no internal "tracking" or programs. Thus, if you listen to the book in your car and don't finish the entire disk before turning the engine off, you'd better hope that you have a newer CD player than I possess. Otherwise, the player will default to the beginning of the last track that was played--in this case skipping back to where you were when you started the 45 minute drive. Even if you have a newer player, if the book is being listened too during a commute to your children's school, they would be unable to take the CDs with them to continue the book in another car on the way home.

Aaaarrrgghhh.

Note, however, that the translation and performance struck me as being well done (at least for the first 45 minutes!).

Rating:
Summary: This Applies only to the Audio CD
Review: Another example of employing a format without considering the means by which it will likely be used. The CDs have no internal "tracking" or programs. Thus, if you listen to the book in your car and don't finish the entire disk before turning the engine off, you'd better hope that you have a newer CD player than I possess. Otherwise, the player will default to the beginning of the last track that was played--in this case skipping back to where you were when you started the 45 minute drive. Even if you have a newer player, if the book is being listened too during a commute to your children's school, they would be unable to take the CDs with them to continue the book in another car on the way home.

Aaaarrrgghhh.

Note, however, that the translation and performance struck me as being well done (at least for the first 45 minutes!).

Rating:
Summary: A Real Mind Grabber
Review: First of all, this book was a great addition to my knowledge. I have read a great amount of books.......well this one tops them all. Yes, it was hard to understand...with the big words and all...lol, but I managed. To anyone reading this I think that this book was monumental, tragic, inticing, and at some points boring. That is why I think you should buy this book...add to your knowledge. Go on it won't hurt you.

Author of this review, Michael S. Cartee

Rating:
Summary: Jacobi's Narration As Brilliant As The Epic Itself!
Review: I first read this beautiful epic as a little girl, held captive from start to finish, and then again in my tenth grade English class,so when I discovered it on audio tape, my heart danced for joy! I am also a great fan of Derek Jacobi, so it made perfect sense to purchase this literary gem for my growing collection. Jacobi's narration is as brilliant as the epic itself, and if you listen closely, you will begin to imagine yourself having the same adventures Odysseus had, as well as spending time getting to know Penelope, his wife, and their only child, a son named Telemachus. In conclusion, just like the works of Shakespeare, this beautiful piece of literature was meant to be enjoyed by everybody! Get thee to Amazon.com or thy nearest bookstore and buy a copy!

Rating:
Summary: Prose printed to look like Verse
Review: Unlike many readers of Homer's works, I read this for entertainment purposes only. I did not cripple my enjoyment of the story by evaluating the structure or rythm of the verse although that is one of the marvels of the original. If you are one who is required to read the Odyssey for a class assignment, I believe you will find that this translation (although printed to look like verse) is extremely readable. However, to fully appreciate the story-line, I recommend researching the Greek and Roman gods prior to reading the Odyssey (I found 'Mythology' by Edith Hamilton to be very concise yet comprehensive.) Furthermore, tackling the Iliad prior to the Odyssey is also desirable in order to understand the references to the Trojan War where Odysseus spent the first 10 years of his trials away from Ithaca.

Of the three major works that can probably be described as a trilogy (Virgil's Aeneid being the third), the Odyssey is the most readable due to its 'traveling action'. The Iliad and Aeneid action scenes are primarily battle fields with much description of each individual spear thrust/throw. The Odyssey is much more enjoyable since Odysseus travels all around the Mediteranean with one adventure after another.

Another note is about the ending of this story. I will not give anything away, but as far as the three epic poems mentioned in this review, the Odyssey has a very conclusive end whereas the Iliad and Aeneid come to an end-of-sorts, but there is still much that is left unfinished.

Rating:
Summary: Prose printed to look like Verse
Review: Unlike many readers of Homer's works, I read this for entertainment purposes only. I did not cripple my enjoyment of the story by evaluating the structure or rythm of the verse although that is one of the marvels of the original. If you are one who is required to read the Odyssey for a class assignment, I believe you will find that this translation (although printed to look like verse) is extremely readable. However, to fully appreciate the story-line, I recommend researching the Greek and Roman gods prior to reading the Odyssey (I found 'Mythology' by Edith Hamilton to be very concise yet comprehensive.) Furthermore, tackling the Iliad prior to the Odyssey is also desirable in order to understand the references to the Trojan War where Odysseus spent the first 10 years of his trials away from Ithaca.

Of the three major works that can probably be described as a trilogy (Virgil's Aeneid being the third), the Odyssey is the most readable due to its 'traveling action'. The Iliad and Aeneid action scenes are primarily battle fields with much description of each individual spear thrust/throw. The Odyssey is much more enjoyable since Odysseus travels all around the Mediteranean with one adventure after another.

Another note is about the ending of this story. I will not give anything away, but as far as the three epic poems mentioned in this review, the Odyssey has a very conclusive end whereas the Iliad and Aeneid come to an end-of-sorts, but there is still much that is left unfinished.

Rating:
Summary: Hear the Sirens sing.
Review: When I was a younger lad, I bought Richard Lattimore's translation, which is a grandiose bore. Then I had the good fortune to read Mandelbaum's Aeneid, which shines. This brought me to Mandelbaum's Odyssey. And it is the ideal Odyssey for scholarship and pleasure:

-The language is simple and strong. Mandelbaum knows his job--he tells the story simply and brings the ancient genius of Homer through with vigor and clarity. Occasionally Mandelbaum goes on a stint of rhyme and that's distracting, but overall the translation is beautiful.

-There's a well-drawn map of Ancient Greece in the beginning that really sets the scene for the wild sea adventures.

-One of the complaints I often hear about epics is that the many characters are difficult to keep straight. Mandelbaum solves this by giving us a comprehensive glossary in the back of the book that explains who everyone is and lists the page numbers of where they occur in the book.

-Another thing makes this a swift read is that, at the beginning of each book, Mandelbaum gives a quick summary of what's about to happen (a fantastic feature for reference and review).

Thus, with the book summaries, the glossary, and the map, you always know where you are in the epic--so while Odysseus wanders, you are never lost.