I can't deny that I really
enjoyed reading this - I raced right through it in a few hours. At
the same time, however, I think it is a little disappointing. I love
the concept - the Minotaur of Knosses, still alive and now living
within society somewhere deep in the American South. The
possibilities promised by such an premise are endless:
unfortunately, Sherrill simply fails to deliver. Here is no
exploration of immortality or historicity, no hilarious
misunderstandings, very little plot and absolutely no use of the
dynamic between fantasy and reality which itself should have been
able to sustain the novel. The Minotaur is a an engaging character,
and the picture of his loneliness and isolation elegant and
touching. His friends and work colleagues are well-drawn and
interesting characters - no one could fail to be repelled by Shane
and his sidekick Mike, or the way in which they exploit the
Minotaur's insecurity - but it's not enough to raise this engaging
and easy to read novel above the average.
© Jessica Mulley 2006
Would you like to read this
book. My copy is available on both
Bookcrossing
and Bookmooch: I'll happily
send it to you. First come, first served...as always. I only have
one copy.