i haven't read it in prose form. but i've read a condensed version you know one that's written normally. and it's a great read.
It's an epic poem written almost over 2000 years ago. I've read it, but i didn't have to, i did it on my own time. If you don't understand it/can't pay attention to it, pick up a Cole's Notes version or a summarized version of it. If that doesn't help, use wikipedia or anything that can help you. There's a lot of different translation's of the original out there, so if you dislike this one, go to the library or book store and purchase another version that's more Americanized.