ODYSSEUS

The legendary voyage of Odysseus will electrify listeners--even if this production isn't perfect. Listeners will cringe at Odysseus's encounter with one-eyed Polyphemus, whose voice growls thrillingly, and wince as Odysseus's men are eaten or drowned in vivid detail. The story's poetic repetition emphasizes Odysseus's strength and cunning against the inexorable will of the gods. While the performances are sometimes stiff and the vocal levels not always even, these weaknesses don't overwhelm a story worth hearing. The full cast ensures that each person, god, and specter is distinct. Indeed, with 20 years of adventure to narrate, the cast creates admirable order in the "world-encircled sea." Together McCaughrean and Full Cast Audio evoke the allure of Greek mythology. C.A. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]