Gender

The fluid nature of gender, its role in defining identity, and how society views gender is one of the book's central thematic and narrative considerations. Development of this idea plays out most notably in relation to the situation and experience of the author's transgender partner, but it also plays out in terms of the author's varying, transforming experiences of being a woman.

The Argo

In Greek Mythology, the Argo was a sailing ship that, according to legend, was co-designed by the goddess Athena and protected by the goddess Hera. The ship was sent on a mission to retrieve the powerful Golden Fleece, which magically conferred the power to rule on whoever found it. Members of the Argo's crew were called The Argonauts, suggesting that the book's title, and the characters, refer to a similar sort of mission or voyage - in this case, their goal being the...