Anton Lesser, known for his role in Game of Thrones, narrates a classic audiobook recording of Homer's The Odyssey, based on Ian Johnston's acclaimed translation. First published in 2006, this 12-hour 45-minute production allows listeners to imagine the epic's gods, monsters, and storms without relying on CGI.
The Story of Odysseus's Journey
The tale follows Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he struggles to return home after the 10-year Trojan War. His journey is fraught with peril, including the wrath of the sea god Poseidon, a man-eating monster, and a whirlpool that swallows ships. He is also held captive by Calypso, a beautiful goddess-nymph and daughter of Atlas, who keeps him on an island for seven years hoping he will become her husband.
Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, Odysseus's wife Penelope, uncertain if her husband is alive, faces a siege of suitors. Their adult son Telemachus, who has not seen his father since infancy, struggles to maintain order and embarks on quests to find him. The gods on Olympus are depicted arguing over which mortals to aid and which to punish.
Narration and Translation
Lesser brings gravitas and texture to the narrative, conjuring the epic's dark sorcery and supernatural elements. Johnston's translation is widely admired for its readability and fidelity to the original Greek. The audiobook is available from Naxos.
Further Listening Recommendations
Listeners may also enjoy Music as Medicine by Daniel Levitin (12 hours 17 minutes, Penguin), a paean to music's healing properties read by the author, and Butcher by Joyce Carol Oates (13 hours 11 minutes, 4th Estate), a chilling fictional biography of a doctor who experiments on female patients, narrated by a cast including Edoardo Ballerini, Cassandra Campbell, and Amy Shiels.
