viking2917
Written on Aug 26, 2015
A work of tremendous influence that has inspired writers from his ancient Greek contemporaries to modernist writers such as T.S. Eliot, Homer's epic poem The Iliad is translated by Robert Fagles with an introduction and notes by Bernard Knox in Penguin Classics.
One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode in the Trojan War. At its centre is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, and his refusal to fight after being humiliated by his leader Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles' close friend Patroclus, Achilles storms back into battle to take revenge - although knowing this will ensure his own early death. Interwoven with this tragic sequence of events are powerfully moving descriptions of the ebb and flow of battle, of the domestic world inside Troy's besieged city of Ilium, and of the conflicts between the Gods on Olympus as they argue over the fate of mortals.
Seven Greek cities claim the honour of being the birthplace of Homer (c. 8th-7th century BC), the poet to whom the composition of the Iliad and Odyssey are attributed. The Iliad is the oldest surviving work of Western literature, but the identity - or even the existence - of Homer himself is a complete mystery, with no reliable biographical information having survived.
If you enjoyed The Iliad, you might like The Odyssey, also available in Penguin Classics.
'An astonishing performance'
Peter Levi
'Plain and direct, noble, above all rapid ... leading the reader forward with an irresistible flow. [Fagles'] version is imbued with humanity'
Oliver Taplin, The New York Times Book Review
'Robert Fagles has given us an Iliad to read aloud: eloquent, rhythmical, and full of power'
Jasper Griffin, Oxford University
- ISBN10 0140445927
- ISBN13 9780140445923
- Publish Date 27 February 1992 (first published December 1906)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
- Imprint Penguin Classics
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 704
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780140445923
Reviews
jamiereadthis
Written on May 19, 2013
It’s lyrical. It’s epic. I’m sure it comes even more alive with a better grasp of the context, but it was enough for now just to visit what I remembered from high school. (Well, high school age. I was homeschooled, so I can thank myself for not grueling through it back then and risking hating it forever. I still feel like I’m going to miss half these answers on Jeopardy, though.)
Amber (The Literary Phoenix)
Written on Dec 19, 2011
I know the story at the heart of this is a fascinating story. It’s a crossover tale with so many iconic moments and immortal characters. At its heart, I’m not dismissing the *story* behind The Iliad. I read this three time’s for school - once in high school and twice for college classes - and frankly, I guess I’ve had enough? I was excited when this popped out of my TBR Jar because it’s a classic and so different from what I’ve been reading. But it is SO TEDIOUS and SO SEXIST.
I’m impressed by the people who managed to carry such a story down through centuries in the oral tradition - the memorisation, especially of the banal details like who-was-in-which-ship, is impressive. But as a recreational read, I’m just not into it. The only time I can see myself revisiting this one again is if I wanted to write a retelling. And I think a Trojan War retelling would be AWESOME. But otherwise, I’m all set.
It’s not the story, it’s the writing.