Product Description

Five thousand years on ...and the Minotaur, or M as he is known to his colleagues, is working as a line chef at Grub's Rib in Carolina, keeping to himself, keeping his horns down, trying in vain to put his past behind him. He leads an ordered lifestyle in a shabby trailer park where he tinkers with cars, writes and re-writes to-do lists and observes the haphazard goings on around him. Outwardly controlled, M tries to hide his emotional turmoil as he is transported deeper into the human world of deceit, confusion and need.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67981 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
STEVEN SHERRILL is a graduate of the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. His poems and stories have appeared in such publications as Best American Poetry, Kenyon Review and Georgia Review. Visits from the Drowned Girl, his second novel, will be published by Canongate in June 2004. He lives in Highland Park, Illinois.

Customer Reviews

The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break
This off-the-wall, extraordinary book will encourage the reader to think laterally and suspend belief.

Five thousand years on from the myth, the Minotaur - now known as M to his colleagues - is alive and well and living in America. He has a job as a chef in a busy, fairly up-market restaurant in North Carolina, lives in a caravan park, has learnt the art of motor mechanics, acquired excellent cooking skills and watches as the world goes by.

Nothing seems to disturb the humdrum, day-to-day existence of M as, on a daily basis, he works, takes a bath, combs the bovine parts of his body, carefully treats the line where his body becomes man, manicures and polishes his horns, repairs his clothes, cleans his shoes, keeps his old car going, and makes interminable lists of things to do. The Minotaur has become a creature of habit - predictable and unsurprising.

However, we gradually realise that, even though most of M's emotions are suppressed - for example, he does not allow himself to feel guilty about those he killed and devoured in ancient times - he is very capable of liking, even loving. This latter is developed carefully, with surprises and setbacks, as Sherrill sensitively and sympathetically develops a heart-rending portrayal of loneliness in all its forms. Being different makes M an outsider - his horns get in the way from time to time, he likes to eat raw onions, he is socially gauche - yet he yearns to be accepted.

M does not necessarily like all that he sees or enjoy all that he does but recognises that the world will continue to turn so he may as well get on with life. An immortal beast, living through millennia, adapting his dress from togas through to modern-day jeans, liked by some, ignored or, worse, loathed by others, never really able to form relationships because he is so different to those all around him, he is a sympathetic character brilliantly evoked.

This is an extraordinary book, born out of an extraordinary idea but one which works very well and should be read by all those who like a challenging and thoughtful read.

read this book as soon as you can
Think Edward Scissorhands reimagined by Ted Hughes and you're part way there.

The writing here is lyrical but not overdone. There's a beautiful balance struck between pathos and world weariness. The minotaur cuts a tremendously sympathetic figure, carving steaks and fixing engines as he observes the people around him bustling and chatting. He yearns to be included, but his inarticulacy and overwhelming shyness keep him on the sidelines.

When a pretty young waitress joins the bar grill where he works, he struggles to act upon the very human feelings stirred in his ancient heart.

This is an absorbing read and I recommend it very, very strongly.

Wonderful Novel
From the very beginning you begin to wonder exactly how the Minotaur (named M in the story) can possibly exist with Human beings. After being in the Labyrinth for five thousand years, the Minotaur finds himself working at Grub's Steakhouse. The book is full of characters that come to life. The Minotaur finds conflict within himself due to his half man, half animal instinct. What got me hooked on the story was the fact that the author (Steven Sherrill) displays loneliness and the need of human interactivity very well. The story also shows how Love is a very important part of humanity, yet the Minotaur only hopes to find it one day. The hope that someone will see passed his difference and love him for who he is. A dream we all wish and hope for throughout life. I couldn't help but relate to this story! That's why I gave it such a high rating. I couldn't put it down, once I read the first chapter, I wanted to go on wondering what happened next. If we were to have a Minotaur among us now, people would react the way they did in the story. Everyone has a Minotaur within them, we all want to be accepted and loved for who we are.