This is a retelling of the myth of Jason and Medea written by a modern writer for modern readers. Gardner makes a point in the beginning of pointing out that while the narrative structure of the story in poem format is similar to classic epics, the language is mostly modern. This version of the classic myth starts with Jason and Medea living in exile after taking the golden fleece. He is telling the adventure to Kreon, all the while giving Kreon's daughter, Pyripta, sex-eyes. The rest of the story is similar to the version told by Euripides in that Medea gets peeved and takes out her aggressions and frustrations on her children to get back at Jason and all live less-than-happily-ever-after.Years ago I had read Gardner's book, Grendel, being as in love with Beowulf as I am. I was unhappy with the retelling from the monster's point of view and felt that it could in no way live up to the original story. This modern retelling of Gardner's is much stronger, much more solid and quite convincing.
