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The Iliad

By Homer
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Set during the Trojan War, The Iliad by Homer focuses on the intense conflict between the Greeks and Trojans. It highlights the anger and heroism of Achilles, weaving together themes of fate, honour, and the wrath of the gods. The epic explores the struggles, alliances, and tragedies faced by both warriors and kings amidst a brutal siege.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This epic may appeal to you if you're fascinated by tales of legendary heroes, gods, and intense battles, set against the backdrop of the Trojan War. It offers a rich exploration of themes like honour, fate, and the human condition, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate readers seeking adventure and depth.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

High on Olympus, Zeus and the assembled deities look down on the world of men, to the city of Troy where a bitter and bloody war has dragged into its tenth year, and a quarrel rages between a legendary warrior and his commander. Greek ships decay, men languish, exhausted, and behind the walls of Troy a desperate people await the next turn of fate.

READ THE STORY BEHIND THE NEW BBC/NETFLIX EPIC SERIES, TROY- FALL OF A CITY

A stunning new translation of Homer's great war epic, the legendary tale of honour, love, loss and revenge during the fall of the city of Troy.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Read the story behind the new BBC/Netflix epic series, Troy: Fall of a City.

A stunning new translation of Homer's great war epic, the legendary tale of honour, love, loss, and revenge during the fall of the city of Troy.

High on Olympus, Zeus and the assembled deities look down on the world of men, to the city of Troy where a bitter and bloody war has dragged into its tenth year, and a quarrel rages between a legendary warrior and his commander. Greek ships decay, men languish, exhausted, and behind the walls of Troy a desperate people await the next turn of fate.

This is The Iliadβ€”an ancient story of enduring power; magnetic characters defined by stirring and momentous speeches; a panorama of human lives locked in a heroic struggle beneath a mischievous or indifferent heaven. Above all, this is a tale of the devastation, waste, and pity of war.

Caroline Alexander's virtuoso translation captures the rhythms and energy of Homer's original Greek while making the text as accessible as possible to a modern reader. It is accompanied by extensive extra material to provide a background to the poem.

The result of 3,000 years of story-telling, Homer's epic tale of the fall of Troy has resonated with every age and every human conflictβ€”this is The Iliad at its most electrifying and vital.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Caroline Alexander’s translation of The Iliad has been praised for its faithful representation of the original Homeric text, delivering a propulsive and engaging style that captures the essence of the Greek epic. Critics have highlighted its readability and dedication to the traditions of the poem, emphasising its qualities as an anti-war narrative. The translation has been described as strikingly superior to earlier versions, embracing essential Homeric qualities and offering an experience akin to hearing the original song.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784870577

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 August 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Caroline Alexander

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 36.0mm

Width: 134.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 418g

Pages: 608

Collections

Classic Poetry Fiction General Fiction Homer Penguin Books Poetry

About the Author

Caroline Alexander is the author of seven books of non-fiction including the international bestsellers The Endurance- Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition and The Bounty- The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty. A contributing writer for National Geographic, Alexander has also written for the New Yorker, Smithsonian and Granta among other publications. Alexander's latest books are Lost Gold of the Dark Ages- War, Treasure and the Mystery of the Saxons and The War That Killed Achilles- The True Story of the Iliad and the Trojan War. Between 1982 and 1985, Alexander established a department of Classics at the University of Malawi, in central-east Africa.

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