Paradise Lost

Unabridged
Author: John Milton
Narrator: Frederick Davidson
Genres: Poetry
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Date: September 1994
Length: 7 hours
Ratings:
Formats:
  • WMA
Abridged
Author: John Milton
Narrator: Anton Lesser
Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Literature
Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks Ltd.
Date: March 1994
Length: 3 hours, 55 minutes
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 3/5
Formats:
  • CD
  • WMA

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Overview

Paradise Lost is the greatest epic poem in the English language. In words remarkable for their richness of rhythm and imagery, Milton tells the story of Man's creation, fall and redemption - to 'justify the ways of God to men'. Milton produced characters which have become embedded in the consciousness of English literature - the frail, human pair, Adam and Eve; the terrible cohort of fallen angels; and Satan, tragic and heroic in his unremitting quest for revenge. The tale unfolds from the aftermath of the great battle between good and evil to the moving departure of Adam and Eve from Eden, with human and eternal anguish intertwined in magnificent resonance.

Selected Reviews

Paradise Lost

by wlh
  • Book Rating: 4/5

Disappointed

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 3/5

More...

Read All 9

Reviews (9)

Paradise Lost

Written by wlh from Miami, FL on September 30th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Wow...this was an excellent book, but like some of the other reviews below, it does require a bit more concentration (I listened through it twice, and will be purchasing the annotated book volume!). All Christians should read this book, and anybody interested in classic English literature. This is on par with Dante's The Divine Comedy (Inferno).

Disappointed

Written by Anonymous from Morongo Valley, CA on February 24th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 3/5

As I have over an hour commute to work I figured listening to books a great way to pass the time and do something constructive. Like "reading" the greats that as a student we are required to read and don't (only get the cliffnotes). I was disappointed with the quality of the CD. I had to return it without listening to it cause the volume was soo low. I had to almost turn my volume all the way up just to barley hear it. And anyone that is even slightly familure with Milton can tell you, you need to be able to hear it well so you can concentrate on what is being said. It is possible on a premium home system it would be decently audible. However, that defeats my purpose for the audio books. If a better quality CD were obtained I would love to rent this again.

Hours of my life lost...

Written by ML on February 13th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 1/5

I was thoroughly disappointed. As Professor Jennings in Animal House states, "He's [Milton] a little bit long-winded, he doesn't translate very well into our generation, and his jokes are terrible." Honestly, I can't come up with a better review myself. Oh, and the guy reading the book left much to be desired.

Milton: "That guy could write"!

Written by Michael Herb on December 28th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Having had no prior exposure to John Milton's writing I truly did not know what to expect. Paradise Lost floored me. It took real effort to listen but it proved worth it. The richness of the language and quality of the writing made a deep impression. The only drawbacks to the CD would be that the recording is low. You have to really turn up the volume to hear it. Also the denseness of the poetry requires all of your attention. It was not the kind of of text you can listen to while driving. I had to be alone in a room with no distractions to really appreciate it. I loved the narration. After listening to it I want to read the book.

Paradise Lost

Written by Michael on October 29th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I had struggled with this book several times previous to downloading the audiobook. I listened to the audio and read the book simultaneously. This brought the book to life. Now I know why this classic is considered one of the greatest pieces of English literature ever written. The fall from Heaven, the prideful pomposity of satan; the introduction of sin and death and their perverse origins; the fall of man; the promise of redemption; all explained so vividly! I highly recommend this this audiobook.

Poor recording

Written by Anonymous on October 25th, 2006

  • Book Rating: 3/5

The problem here was that the recording levels were so low. If one were listening on headphones, or in a quiet room then it poses less of a problem. But it was impossible to hear in the car without turning the sound up so high that the background noise was unbearable.

Paradise Lost

Written by Paul from South Deerfield, MA on September 18th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 4/5

Poetry is different when it is read or one listens to it. I very much enjoyed Anton Lesser's reading. He seemed to capture Milton's rhythm and kept the right pace. Milton imaginatively tells the Biblical tale of the casting out of Satan and his angels from heaven and then the fall of humankind. He touches on creation and redemption but these are primarily for another time.

Paradise Lost

Written by Colleen on January 9th, 2005

  • Book Rating: 1/5

The first CD that I sent back without listening to all disks. OK, I get it, we danced with the devil. Move on! The English accent was difficult to listen to.

Not one of the best

Written by Nick HARMON from COLLEGEVILLE, PA on December 22nd, 2004

  • Book Rating: 3/5

This is a brilliant piece of poetry of a well known story, but it doesn't lend itself well to being an audio book. I think you have to read it and study it to appreciate it.

Selected Reviews

Paradise Lost

by wlh
  • Book Rating: 4/5

Disappointed

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 3/5

More...

Read All 9