One can't help wonderingwhat John Gardner was thinking when he decided to take on a project like this. The celebrated and confirmed novelist produces a sweeping epic poem about Jason, (of Jason and the argonauts) his voyages and tragic relationship with Medeia. Though after reading I felt that it was a logical progression for Gardner come out with this. All of the deep philosophical musings that you expect from him are there, great characterizations, and really most of his prose is very poetic; some of the poetry in this work slips into and out of prose. Absolutely engaging material and often overlooked. A great read for the serious reader.