In Search of the Argonauts: The Remarkable History of Jason and the Golden Fleece

The Argonauts are symbols of group heroism and the hollowness of glory, and Helen Lovatt's book explores the many layers of the story and its numerous and fascinating afterlives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Jason and the Golden Fleece is a timeless tale that has captivated audiences for centuries. The story of a young boy who discovers his true identity as the son of a usurped king and leads a crew of demi-gods and famous heroes on a quest to the ends of the earth is filled with excitement, adventure, and intrigue. The myth and its reception have inspired countless engagements, exploring themes of gender and sexuality, heroism and lost integrity, powerful gods and terrifying monsters, identity and otherness, exploration and exploitation. The Argonauts, the heroes of the tale, are emblematic of collective heroism but also of the emptiness of glory. The Argonaut myth has been interpreted by a wide range of writers and artists, from Pindar to J. W. Waterhouse, Apollonius of Rhodes to Ray Harryhausen, and Robert Graves to Mary Zimmerman, and each interpretation brings its own unique perspective and richness to the story. Helen Lovatt's book, "Jason and the Golden Fleece: A New Interpretation," unravels the diverse strands of the narrative and its numerous and fascinating afterlives, making it both informative and endlessly entertaining for those who love classical literature and myth.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 164 x 240 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781848857148