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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
While this book is worthy of consideration as a Retro Hugo finalist, I'm not sure it really belongs on the ballot. Known as [b:The Golden Fleece|634067|The Golden Fleece|Robert Graves|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1207115110l/634067._SY75_.jpg|772141], it was first published in 1944 in England. It was published in the United States as Hercules, My Shipmate in 1945. Considering that a hypothetical World Science Fiction Convention (whose members vote on the Hugo Awards) would have almost certainly been held in the United States in 1945, it's doubtful that enough U.S. voters would have been familiar with the book to nominate it (Worldcons are open to anyone in the world, but especially during wartime it's unlikely that very many from overseas would participate).
For students of Greek mythology, this is undoubtedly a must-read. Graves begins the book with a lot of background about the Greek gods, their names, etc. It turns out that many of the gods changed names or affiliations depending on which tribe was in power. For example, Poseidon was originally the god of forests, only later becoming the god of the seas because ships are made of wood. Zeus, likewise, went through many iterations, starting as a relatively minor god until later being changed into the father of the gods. But really, for the average reader, you could skip the first three chapters or so.
Then Graves goes into detail about what the Golden Fleece is, how it was stolen, and why it needs to be returned. Following that there is great detail about Jason and all the other Argonauts, how the Argo was designed and built, and only around Chapter 10 is the voyage launched.
The voyage itself is interesting, but Graves still goes off on tangents about various events that are only slightly relevant to the quest. Hercules is somewhat of a comic relief, but he leaves the crew about a third of the way through, and is only a minor character popping up here and there for the remainder of the book. I'm not sure why he gets named in the book's title. The Golden Fleece is a better title (and Jason and the Argonauts is really the most appropriate title).
I had trouble with the myriad of Greek character and place names. Many are recognizable from other books and movies, but many are not. The edition I had did not contain a map, so I really had no idea where any of the locations were.
I'm glad I read this book, but I don't know how much I really got out of it. An annotated edition would probably be better. At least I should have a better understanding of the wonderful Jason and the Argonauts movie the next time I watch it (although I already know that it doesn't really follow this book very closely).
For students of Greek mythology, this is undoubtedly a must-read. Graves begins the book with a lot of background about the Greek gods, their names, etc. It turns out that many of the gods changed names or affiliations depending on which tribe was in power. For example, Poseidon was originally the god of forests, only later becoming the god of the seas because ships are made of wood. Zeus, likewise, went through many iterations, starting as a relatively minor god until later being changed into the father of the gods. But really, for the average reader, you could skip the first three chapters or so.
Then Graves goes into detail about what the Golden Fleece is, how it was stolen, and why it needs to be returned. Following that there is great detail about Jason and all the other Argonauts, how the Argo was designed and built, and only around Chapter 10 is the voyage launched.
The voyage itself is interesting, but Graves still goes off on tangents about various events that are only slightly relevant to the quest. Hercules is somewhat of a comic relief, but he leaves the crew about a third of the way through, and is only a minor character popping up here and there for the remainder of the book. I'm not sure why he gets named in the book's title. The Golden Fleece is a better title (and Jason and the Argonauts is really the most appropriate title).
I had trouble with the myriad of Greek character and place names. Many are recognizable from other books and movies, but many are not. The edition I had did not contain a map, so I really had no idea where any of the locations were.
I'm glad I read this book, but I don't know how much I really got out of it. An annotated edition would probably be better. At least I should have a better understanding of the wonderful Jason and the Argonauts movie the next time I watch it (although I already know that it doesn't really follow this book very closely).
Overall I did like this book, but I have very mixed feelings about it. The writing reads very nicely and gives the narrative an epic tone, which I liked. But as we have no focalizer and an omniscient narrator, I couldn't really connect to the characters and felt very detached from the story, it just didn't draw me in.
It is a very interesting book, though. There's a lot to learn about Jason and the Argonauts in here, and I think it's amazing how much additional information the reader is offered. Graves begins his tale way before Jason, with a religious change in Greece and how the Golden Fleece actually came to be. The struggle between the Triple Goddess and the Olympic system was extremely interesting and I really enjoyed those parts!
I also liked that none of the characters are plain and perfect heroes. I'm still not sure if there are truly any heroes in here. Hercules, for example, came across as more of a comic relief character, his stupidity and accidental brutality often had me laughing. Then there's Medea, who isn't just this evil princess but who's feelings and motives are very much analysed.
So while I wasn't drawn into the story and sometimes felt bored by the plot, I liked how much the book had me thinking all the time, and the many details it offers. I would definitely recommend this if you want to know more about this particular myth!
I also wrote a longer review on my blog, if you'd like to know more :)
http://parchmentdragon.blogspot.de/2017/07/the-golden-fleece-by-robert-graves.html?m=1
It is a very interesting book, though. There's a lot to learn about Jason and the Argonauts in here, and I think it's amazing how much additional information the reader is offered. Graves begins his tale way before Jason, with a religious change in Greece and how the Golden Fleece actually came to be. The struggle between the Triple Goddess and the Olympic system was extremely interesting and I really enjoyed those parts!
I also liked that none of the characters are plain and perfect heroes. I'm still not sure if there are truly any heroes in here. Hercules, for example, came across as more of a comic relief character, his stupidity and accidental brutality often had me laughing. Then there's Medea, who isn't just this evil princess but who's feelings and motives are very much analysed.
So while I wasn't drawn into the story and sometimes felt bored by the plot, I liked how much the book had me thinking all the time, and the many details it offers. I would definitely recommend this if you want to know more about this particular myth!
I also wrote a longer review on my blog, if you'd like to know more :)
http://parchmentdragon.blogspot.de/2017/07/the-golden-fleece-by-robert-graves.html?m=1
So slow. So much description and so little action. Zero character development.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story of Jason and his Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece is well known, but I have never read a version quite as good and with such rich detail as this one by Robert Graves. Graves puts Jason in his historical and geographical context, describing the voyage of the Argonauts as they sail from Iolcos along the islands of ancient Greece, past Troy, through the Bosphorus Strait where the Clashing Rocks are, and along the southern coast of the Black Sea towards the land of Colchis in the Caucasus. In the course of his narrative, he demystifies many of the myths and mythological creatures - he suggests, for instance, that the Cyclops were called One-eyed men because they covered one eye to protect themselves from the sparks of their anvils - but he leaves all the Gods and Goddesses fully intact. Graves also looks into the religious beliefs that gave rise to the Greek deities, and suggests that much of the friction between the tribes in the region was a result of clashing cultures and religions, most notably the worshipping of the Triple Goddess which was threatened by the newer religion of the Olympian Gods.
Thanks to the presence of Orpheus and Hercules on the Argo, this book is about so much more than the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece alone. Hercules has interrupted his famous Labours for King Eurystheus to come and help the Argonauts on their quest, and his odd behaviour makes for some very hilarious adventures. And Orpheus sings about the Creation of the Skies, the Earth and the Underworld, of the children of Cronus and Rhea, of the inventions of Daedalus, and many other wonderful things.
All in all, this book is a thorough introduction to Greek mythology and ancient Greece, and a wonderful achievement at that. After reading this, I am inclined to think that The Golden Fleece (which was later published in the US under the title Hercules, My Shipmate), rather than I,Claudius, was Robert Graves's finest work.
Thanks to the presence of Orpheus and Hercules on the Argo, this book is about so much more than the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece alone. Hercules has interrupted his famous Labours for King Eurystheus to come and help the Argonauts on their quest, and his odd behaviour makes for some very hilarious adventures. And Orpheus sings about the Creation of the Skies, the Earth and the Underworld, of the children of Cronus and Rhea, of the inventions of Daedalus, and many other wonderful things.
All in all, this book is a thorough introduction to Greek mythology and ancient Greece, and a wonderful achievement at that. After reading this, I am inclined to think that The Golden Fleece (which was later published in the US under the title Hercules, My Shipmate), rather than I,Claudius, was Robert Graves's finest work.
I never thought I would give up on a book by Robert Graves, but this one I did. It is very long because it is quite unbelievably detailed. I assume Graves did this as a way of reproducing how the story might have been told orally, but also I think in order to cram in his interpretations of just about every Greek myth you can think of.
To give one example, in a banqueting hall where the Argonauts are feasting, there is a painting on the wall showing Daedalus and Icarus flying, so Orpheus tells in great detail the story involved, explaining how some things were misinterpreted and misunderstood, what might really have happened, and so on.
I got about halfway through, and maybe I shall return to it one day, but somehow I doubt it.
To give one example, in a banqueting hall where the Argonauts are feasting, there is a painting on the wall showing Daedalus and Icarus flying, so Orpheus tells in great detail the story involved, explaining how some things were misinterpreted and misunderstood, what might really have happened, and so on.
I got about halfway through, and maybe I shall return to it one day, but somehow I doubt it.
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3424586.html
Graves here subverts the received version of the story by situating it in an ancient world of magic and gods, where the worship of the mother goddess has been written out by later traditions. There are some thrilling bits here, as the Argo plays hide-and-seek with its pursuers around the margins of the Black Sea. Graves has a lovely eye for detail, and the humour is a bit hearty but also humanising.
Graves here subverts the received version of the story by situating it in an ancient world of magic and gods, where the worship of the mother goddess has been written out by later traditions. There are some thrilling bits here, as the Argo plays hide-and-seek with its pursuers around the margins of the Black Sea. Graves has a lovely eye for detail, and the humour is a bit hearty but also humanising.
A weird by enjoyable retelling of the Hercules Myth by the man who wrote I Claudius.