God of the Golden Fleece (Book of the Gods, Volume 4) [Hardcover]

Fred Saberhagen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Book of the Gods | Publication Date: August 11, 2001

A splendid new fantasy from the author of The Arms of Hercules

When Proteus crawls from the sea, brain damaged from a fight with a terrible giant, all he can put together from his shattered memory is that he was sent to aid Jason and the Argonauts on their incredible mission. As he joins them on their quest, Proteus soon discovers that he is not like other members of the crew. Proteus is capable of inhuman strength; he seems never to grow tired; he has unexplainable control of the sea that surrounds him, and he is able to see things that no one else can. But, there seems to be a dark side to his past he still can’t remember, for a number of enemies sent by Jason’s arch nemesis, King Pelias, seems to recognize Proteus . . . as being one of them.

With the style and skill that distinguishes him as a master of the genre, Fred Saberhagen translated a classic myth for the new millennium.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Best known for several long-running series (Berserker, Swords, Dracula), Saberhagen is now working inventive changes on Greek myths. The story of Jason and the Argonauts provides the basis for this fourth myth-based novel (after 2000's The Arms of Hercules), in which a naked man staggers out of the sea, shipwrecked and amnesiac. He knows only that his name is Proteus and that he must be part of the Argo's crew as they search for the Golden Fleece. Repairing the character's missing memory is a deft way to introduce readers to the tangle of alliances and betrayals behind the original myth. In fact, however, even readers who think they know the story will be surprised. Things don't always happen according to the myth for one thing, bystanders sometimes weren't observing carefully; for another, it's clear that super-science rather than magic underlies many of the strange events. It's impossible to say whether the book is set in an alternative past before "history" jelled or in the far future, when our history has been forgotten. Fair enough: readers should be wary as they watch gods interfering with mortals while plotting against each other and also trying to avoid hostile, superhuman giants in this bewildering, dangerous world. This isn't one of Saberhagen's best books, but the hints of hidden motives and secret powers are intriguing enough to keep fans alert for the next book in the series.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The fourth of Saberhagen's Books of the Gods series is about Proteus, the hero who finds and acquires the face of the sea god, Triton, in the course of a battle with giants. But Proteus comes out of that battle and from the sea with no memory of who or what he is. He stumbles into the camp of Jason's Argonauts, on their way to Iolchis and the Golden Fleece. Acceptance into their ranks doesn't bring back much of his memory, but he keeps encountering, usually under dangerous circumstances, people who seem to know who he is. He doesn't regain his assumed identity as Triton until Jason and company are fleeing Iolchan treachery with the Golden Fleece and the lovestruck Medea, and then he gets scant reward for saving his comrades. Or perhaps not so scant, since he consequently finds his way back to home and wife. In any event, this is another ingenious and absorbing reworking of classical material from Saberhagen. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (August 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031287037X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312870379
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,507,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fantasy, August 15, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: God of the Golden Fleece (Book of the Gods, Volume 4) (Hardcover)

Following a deadly battle between the Gods and the Giants, a shipwrecked Proteus barely manages to reach a nearby beach but has lost his memory. Already on the shore are Jason and the Argonauts preparing to continue sailing in order to take the Golden Fleece from King Aeetes. Proteus decides to join the quest and performs feats beyond that of the heroes of the Argo.

As Proteus begins to regains pieces of his memory, he concludes that King Pelias hired him to kill Jason. However, his time amidst the Argonauts, especially the brave leader makes him realize he cannot do this task and instead becomes an intrepid and loyal member of the crew. After fleecing Aeetes and other adventures, the Argonauts land on the enchantress Circe's island where Proteus not only learns more about himself and the truth, but plans to do something about it, that is if he lives long enough to do so.

This retelling of the Greek epic Jason and the Argonauts is a well-written fantasy tale that keeps reader attention throughout the book. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action though much is seen through the eyes of the mysterious and bewildered Proteus as opposed to Jason, Hercules, and some of the other mythical heroes. Highly regarded Fred Saberhagen, in his fourth BOOK OF THE GODS novel, is not quite on the level of the mythological classic or the Ray Harryhausen animated enhanced movie, but will provide the authors myriad of fans with an entertaining story.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent retelling of classical mythological story., July 11, 2003

By 

steamkitty "steamkitty" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God of the Golden Fleece (Book of the Gods) (Mass Market Paperback)

One of 5 books which have taken the classical Greek myths and updated them with a sci-fi hook. When are the stories in the books taking place? Before the classical Earth-centric Greek period? Or, sometime way, way, way after our civilization has passed? Saberhagen drops a hint or two (use of word "bio-computer) which may or may not lead one astray. But the good storytelling and stories stand by themselves. If anyone has a copy of Robert Graves 1955 (or later re-issue) The Greek Myths, it's a wonderful co-read. Unfortunately, word from the Saberhagen web-site indicates the publisher, Tor Books, is not interested in continuing the series. Maybe we, the readers, should let Tor know that WE ARE interested in the series being continued. I, for one, want to know more about the background and future of this new mythological world.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Ending, February 14, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: God of the Golden Fleece (Book of the Gods, Volume 4) (Hardcover)

This is a good book with a non-typical ending. A good Saberhagen book