Ignorance and Bliss reviewed in the TLS

According to an ancient story, King Midas hunted in the forest for the wise Silenus, Dionysus’ companion. It took the king a while to capture the god of the forest, but eventually he did. He burnt to know what was “the best and most desirable of all things for man”, and pressed Silenus for an answer. The god was reluctant at first, but after some royal arm-twisting he talked.