The legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece is a timeless myth that has been told for centuries.  The adventures, dangers and triumphs of Jason's quest are exciting and magical. 

Ken Catran's new version has won both the New Zealand Children's Book of the Year Supreme and Older Reader Awards.  He presents the journey through the eyes of Pylos, the ship's boy, the only "non-hero" on board.  This enables the heroes on the quest, great names like Jason, Hercules, Orpheus, Castor and Pollux, to be seen as people, outside their own legends and reputations.

Few of them come out very well.  Their egos are usually larger than their achievements, and rarely do they actually achieve what is necessary or sensible.  Sometimes this is funny, more often it is dangerous.

Ken Catran keeps this very human perspective throughout, showing how legends can be built out of simple events, decisions and misunderstandings. Real history can be glimpsed as the Argos travels around the Black Sea and encounters non-Greek societies at the dawn of the Iron Age, but always the heroes' quest drives them on.

Because the traditional story and its ending were already determined for Catran, he is able to explore the feelings of the characters more.  Pylos' confusion with the heroes, and his gradual understanding that he is just as good (and often better) than them, ties the whole story together, to its tragic ending.

You don't need any knowledge of Greek legends to enjoy Voyage with Jason but it might just get you hooked on them.

Review by David Beagley

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