Rating: 
Summary: Not without drawbacks, but....
Review: "The Iliad" is one of those books which are so famous that you congratulate yourself fater having finally got round to reading it, and as a result are tempted almost automatically to rate it as a "great book". But you tend to forget what it was really like when you're ploughing your way through it.The themes in "The Iliad" are timeless, and important ones: the horrific reality of war; human traits such as bravery, cowardice, loyalty and dignity in the face of adversity. There's no denying the importance of "The Iliad" in Western literature. However, I found it a very mixed experience. There are superb passages, most often when the gods get involved directly in events, but also long stretches of narrative that have to be endured, such as seemingly endless lists of who killed whom, and one whole book is merely a list of the combatants. I was surprised, given this is my first real dabble into Greek literature, by the roles accorded to the gods and mortals. The gods of "The Iliad" are not invulnerable - some get wounded, they squabble among themselves, betray the "human" traits of jealousy and hatred. Human feelings and the operation of random chance are ascribed to the influence of various deities. The dividing line between gods and mortals is very blurred (a large number of the mortals seem to have had at least one parent who was a god). Indeed, it could be charged that the gods keep the Trojan War going even when the mortals are heartily sick of it. "The Iliad" is no simple story of heroes-versus-villains. The Trojans have their own dignity - Priam comes out as a more sympathetic character than the self-indulgent, petulant and vicious Achilleus, for example. "The Iliad" is an important work, taking patience to get through, but worth it for all its ups-and-downs. G Rodgers
Rating: 
Summary: Spellbinding Classic
Review: A question ritually asked in literary circles is, "Which do you like better, The ILLIAD or The ODYSSEY?" Without hesitation, my response is The Illiad. Brimming with war, revenge, hatred, love, and beautifully translated prose, the Wordsworth Classics' version offers a first time reader or a scholarly sage a definitive copy for their collection. Homer's work has been spoken of for more than two milleniums and the Trojan/Greek war is recounted with such power and engagement, it still remains a heavily cited and easily reurnable story. Hours of enjoyment and antiquated adventure await.
Rating:
Summary: Best first read
Review: I am a retired high school and college instructor who taught the Iliad many times at both levels. The Rouse version was always my translation of choice, and it was enormously successful. The complaints (or halfhearted commendations here) miss the point. Most seem to think that Rouse's "plain English" version is a diminution of the original. All translations are! Rouse merely eliminated many epithets and repetitions (necessary in the meter of the poem and unnecessary in prose). But Rouse is extremely accurate within his chosen limits and the result is a brilliant achievement: a fast-moving text (as is the original) that is colloquial where appropriate, noble sithout being stuffy when nobility is called for; the result is an always ongoing, rapidly moving narrative told in vivid, sinewy prose that simply hurtles you along. It does not attempt to give the more complex reading experience that Fitzgerald and Lattimore and Fagles achieve in their superb verse translations; but these are best reserved for second . . .or 17th readings, once the complex story and relations between characters are mastered. And indeed, none of the more famous verse translations (Pope's is to be avoided: it's a beautiful Augustan poem, not Homer)--none come close to Rouse's focused and frightening rendering of Achilles' on the battlefield, once he goes into action. In short, Rouse is in spirit thoroughly "Homeric"--by turns racy and funny, savage, noble, ultimately tragic as, e.g., the dreadful Victorian versions of Butler and Lang, Leaf, & Myers are not and should be avoided). Even with the small point-size in which the text was set, Rouse's Homer is not just a bargain: it's a treasure bought at a small price.
Rating:
Summary: Still Vivid, Exciting and Touching
Review: I didn't expect this ancient epic very much and I was surprised. It is very nice. Not easy to read and has countless drawbacks, still it is vivid, exciting and touching. Homer is a Greek poet and in favor of the Greeks. Nevertheless he doesn't describe Troy as "Axis of Evil". On the contrary, I feel the people of the Trojan side (Hektor, Andromache, Paris, Helen and Old King Priam) are more vivid and human than a little stereotyped Greek heroes. That makes this epic a sympathetic tragedy beyond vast time and place. This epic doesn't describe the Trojan War from beginning to end. It starts not from the Judgement of Paris, but from the dispute between Achilleus and Agamemnon. And it doesn't describe the last part of the war (the death of Achilleus, the Trojan Horse and the fall of Troy). I felt that was unsatisfactory at first. But the battle between Achilleus and Hektor is very exciting, and Hektor's funeral is compassionate and touching, symbolizing the downfall of Troy. I feel now those are much better than the not-so-exciting death of Achilleus (killed by surprise) and the bloody carnage at the fall. Just for your reference. The episode of the Wooden Horse is fully described in Virgil's "Aeneid", the post-war adventure of Aeneas, a Trojan warrior. And if you want to briefly know the whole aspects of the Trojan War, Sutcliff's "Black Ships Before Troy" is helpful.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story - bad translation
Review: I dunno about other people reading this but it was a struggle. The book itself is a deserved world classic which relates the story of the siege of Troy. However, most people associate that battle with the wooden horse incident so be aware that the book does not cover that period! It ends before it. The incident is referred to in Homer's Odyssey and fully told in Virgil's Aenid. The story itself is one of powerful archtypes in the characters of Achilles, Agamemnon, Hector, Priam etc. The war itself is supplemented by the gods taking part and the premises of this epic poem are psychological, philosophical as well as the kick-butt action scenes. However, I found this translation quite bad. The text is very dense. I know the original is dense as well - but at least the Greek has poetry. When a classic is translated, much of the poetic beauty is lost so as a result, it should at least be made readable. But this one isn't. The text is set out as prose but with very long paragraphs. The language is archaic - one can't follow an already complex piece of text with "spake" occuring every second. Also, at least in my copy, there were heaps of mistakes. I mean books have typos but in the bad parts a page might have 6 or 7 which is bound to get annoying. So definitely read the Iliad but look for a better translation.
Rating:
Summary: One of the finest reading experiences of my life!
Review: I have been reading two translations of Homer's Iliad over the past several weeks: Robert Fagles' 1990 translation and Alexander Pope's 1743 translation. I have read the two translations in tandem, one "book" at a time. I first read Mr Fagle's translation, then the notes of Mr Pope, and finally his translation.I would call this one of the finest reading experiences of my life.I read both translations out-loud, or at least in a whisper. This winter-time reading experience has been, for me, a labor of love, a stimulating intellectual experience, a study in contrasts, and a return to the sources of Western Literature. I find Homer as fascinating as Alexander Pope claims him to be. Although his long narrative describes only a few days of the ten years war between Greece and Troy, he makes it interesting by his variety of metaphors, his close description of characters, and his attention to detail. Every man who dies is a person, with family, friends, history, and personality. Some are likeable, others are not; but in any case there are no ciphers in Homer's war. I am fascinated too by the developing theological issues of this six century BCE civilization. We might have to worship these meddlesome gods and their All-powerful Zeus, but do we always have to respect them? They seem to be all too human. In fact, the gods themselves seem to be trapped in an eternally frustrating struggle. Zeus is condemned to defend his sovereignty against a panoply of gods who must always resent his authority. Meanwhile, he is lonely, and he cannot stop himself from occasionally confiding in "that bitch" his sister and wife, Hera. She reminds me of a woman in a recent movie who said "Sometimes being a bitch is the only way a woman can save her self-respect." (Or something to that effect.) "Hera" represents that eternally angry woman who will not and cannot buckle under male domination. I find myself being grateful to this western tradition which has honored and preserved the memory of Homer and kept these ancient books in tact. I grieve at the thought of ancient celtic, african, and native american epics that have been lost or so badly mangled that they cannot be restored. I understand that there has been an enormous flurry of excitement over Mr Fagles' translation and I am certainly caught up in it as well. He tells these stories with excitement and conviction; they are as plausible and coherent today as they must have been to the privileged listeners who sat at the feet of Homer. But I am also grateful to Penguin Press who last year celebrated their 50th anniversary by republishing this magnificent translation by Alexander Pope. I only wish more of the reading public had heard about the celebration. I hate to admit that I was an indifferent student in college. I had other things on my mind. But now, in my middle years, I am glad to have the time and opportunity, to curl up with two great translations of Homer's Iliad on a winter's evening, to discover again the joy of reading superb English.
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Summary: Homer's epic poem on the rage of mighty Achilles
Review: I long ago determined that the world of those interested in the Classical Literature of the Ancient Greeks that when it comes to Homer's epic poems there are those who prefer the "Iliad" and those who prefer the "Odyssey," and that this division is as significant as having to pick between the Beatles and Elvis in contemporary culture. My choice on the more ancient question is for the story of the rage of Achilles over the journal of Odysseus. From Achilles's fateful confrontation with Agamemnon over Briseis of the lovely arms to the magnificently emotional ending where King Priam comes to beg for the body of his slain son, Hector, from the man who killed him, I find this story has far greater resonance than the tale of Odysseus. The epic story also seems to me to be more classically Greek, with the great hero who acts out of anger, comes to regret his folly, and seeks to make amends too late to save themselves from a tragic fate. Achilles is similar to Hercules in this regard, and although they are both strictly considered demi-gods, the Achaean hero ultimately seems more human. Additionally, Achilles's stature is enhanced by his opposition to the noble Hector, breaker of horses; acknowledging the better warrior does not take away from recognizing the greater hero. After all, it is the figure of Hector who begins the idealized notion of the worthy and noble opponent, which has continued throughout the course of Western civilization and included such historical figures as Robert E. Lee and Irwin Rommell. Add to this the fact that all the gods and goddesses of Olympus are actively involved in the proceedings rather than Athena trying to save Odysseus from Poseideon's wrath, and I am convinced the "Iliad" is the more worthy book for inclusion into most classes dealing with Classical Mythology or the Ancient Greeks. This is where students will get the best understanding of the Homeric concept of the Olympian gods, which would then be challenged by the tragic poets of Athens several centuries later. Ironically, given the poem's beginning, the true dramatic climx of Homer's "Iliad" comes when King Priam goes to weep over the bloody hands of Achilles to ransom back Hector's body. That scene allow justifies compelling students to read the entire work.
Rating:
Summary: The older I get, the more I like this story
Review: I read this story when I was very young, and have re-read it many times since. This was my first experience with an audio CD and Anton Lesser does a fantastic job. If you are a fan of Homer, this is an excellent way to productively use your time while commuting to work.
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Summary: The First if not the Best Novel
Review: I went into the Illiad, reading it because I thought that I was expected to. The Illiad is the sort of reading that is expected of a well rounded and enlightened individual. However, instead of a dusty tome, I found a vibrant, lively book, full of rage and sorrow, brimming historical accounts laced with godly intervention. The most amazing aspect, apart from the grim battle scenes (and they are unflinchingly gory), is the depth to which Homer explores each of the major characters. There are no bad guys or good guys, each man portrayed is multi-faceted with dark and light qualities. Achilles' the supposed hero is vain, vengeful and spiteful, the villian Hector is seen a reluctant defender who mourns his wife and child even before his death. And Paris the center of it all, a pathetic selfish man, who possesses an unearthly charisma. This novel is amazing and astounding in that it not only tells a great story, but that it asks the eternal questions of mankind, about fate, bravery and a life well lived. The Illiad is the starting point of the Odyssey and the Aeneid both classics of epic poetry and the Illiad is also ripe with Greek Mythology. I cannot more highly recommend a book than this one.
Rating:
Summary: The first log in history
Review: It's the first piece of history in the world. It shows how the Greek/Trojan war began. Paris, a trojan prince, runs off with the queen of Greece which started the war. Her husband wanted to force her back. Achillies, a demi-god, has to choose between two fates. A boring long unmemorable life, or a glamorous short one that will change the war. This books has gods, ghosts, destiny, dreams fortelling the future, and betrayal among all.
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