Review of the Odyssey by Homer audiobook – the perfect adventure | The Odyssey

Wwith its gods, giant monsters and dizzying, Homer’s the Odyssey is considered by many to be unfilmable, although it has not stopped directors from going, including Christopher Nolan, whose adaptation of the blockbuster comes to cinemas next week. An audiobook would seem clever, allowing audiences to use their imaginations to connect with dark magic, supernatural monsters and giant storms instead of relying on CGI.

This classic recording, first published in 2006, is based on Ian Johnston’s fantastic interpretation. It is narrated by Game of Thrones actor Anton Lesser, who brings charisma and character to this story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his quest to get home after 10 years of the Trojan War. Odysseus’ journey is complicated when he faces the wrath of the sea god Poseidon in the form of a man-eating monster and a ship-swallowing storm. Then comes Calypso, the beautiful goddess-nymph and daughter of Atlas who keeps him on an island for seven years in the hope that he will remain as her husband.

Back in Ithaca, Odysseus’ wife Penelope – who does not know if her husband is dead or alive – is surrounded by lovers, while their eldest son Telemachus, who has not seen his father since he was a baby, struggles to keep order and starts different journeys to find him. So we have the gods on Olympus as they sit around arguing about who will help them and who will bring down hell and destruction. Will Odysseus make it home and, if he does, will he be welcomed?

Available via Naxos, 12hr 45min

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