THE AENEID

Charlton Griffin reads Rome's national epic, depicting Aeneas's wanderings from Troy to Italy and the beginnings of the Roman people, in his grand, orotund manner, befitting the poem, though with some characteristically odd pronunciations. He is both agile and sensitive enough, however, to clearly differentiate voices and moods. Each book starts with a helpful summary (though the general introduction is too long), sound effects, and music; the sound effects are dispensable, the music sometimes atmospheric, sometimes just odd. Close attention will reward the listener with a solid presentation of a classic. Despite Griffin's noble efforts, Virgil's catalogues of names, places, and Roman history may send listeners' minds wandering far from the Mediterranean. W.M. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 06]