THE GOLDEN FLEECE AND THE HEROES WHO LIVED BEFORE ACHILLES

Padriac Colum, a major leader of the Irish Renaissance and friend of both Joyce and Yeats, was a poet, playwright, and author in his own right. Well versed in the old Gaelic myths as well as those of other cultures, he wrote a number of books for children that retell these old tales. Using the story of Jason and the Argonauts as a vehicle, Colum employs the character of Orpheus, who is accompanying the Argonauts, to tell us the stories of Prometheus, Theseus, and Heracles, among others, as the adventurers journey past particular locales associated with their respective exploits. Williams’s voice is a fine match with the text, which is written in a style that is eloquent but that may seem archaic to the contemporary listener. His deep, resonant voice has something of the quality of an oracle. His delivery is subtly nuanced, and this work will be a real treat for the listener who sticks with it. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 02/ JAN 03]