Paradise Lost

One could hardly hope for a more intelligent reading of Milton's epic poem, relating Satan's temptation of Adam and Eve and their fall. Anton Lesser's clarity, expressiveness, and careful weighting of each phrase deserve high praise. The dialogue comes across like Shakespearean drama, and while Lesser doesn't vary his voice much, he strikes the right note for each character. In Satan's soliloquies, when he whispers, Lesser's reading is thrilling; but when he thunders, his somewhat thin tenor makes him sound querulous rather than grand, so where we expect tympani, we get a snare drum. Still, Lesser provides so much else it seems small-minded to cavil at this flaw. He makes Milton exciting. W.M. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

Satan makes some bold moves: combating heaven, corrupting humanity, that sort of thing. Recording Milton's monumental prose poem also takes guts. With clear, flowing enunciation Albert Hartley lifts stilted language to almost conversational accessibility. He tames difficult names and speech patterns. Hartley doesn't master every intention in the stylized syntax, but generally he conveys the tome's meaning well, especially in the later passages. By not dramatizing character voices, Hartley avoids the risk of sounding hokey but misses an opportunity. Hartley provides clarity if not dazzle. D.J. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

PARADISE LOST is a classic that requires slow, careful reading and rereading. Ralph Cosham's smooth voice is a fine match for Milton's blank verse epic. Cosham deserves praise for ably handling the phrasing and pronunciation of Milton's 12 books. However, there could be more clarity between the opening arguments and the beginning of each book. The scenes of wrath and dread are read at the same pace as the final scene of humanity's exile from the Garden of Eden. But these are minor quibbles as Cosham is consistent in his presentation of the text. His choice to read rather than interpret is a wise one. This high-quality production may inspire listeners to further exploration of this significant text. R.F. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

If you're in the mood for a heart-pounding morality tale, this is the book for you. This seventeenth-century classic has survived all these years for many reasons, not least of which is that it portrays Satan as a sympathetic hero. Narrator Simon Vance is equipped with a forceful British accent, which he uses to accentuate the text and bring the story to life. His subtly changes his tone and emphasis as the story moves from heaven to hell to earth, and he enables us to appreciate the story's different personalities without providing character voices. Vance's most effective attribute is his ability to interpret epic poetry by delivering the lines with rhythm and superb pacing. R.I.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine