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hendriati's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
flobabey's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
acsaper's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure I totally understood what was going on here but, for a dollar at a local used book exchange, I can't complain!
The whole story of this Minotaur living in the Deep South was a bit confusing, if only because I didn't quite understand why he was there, what he was doing or the degree of reality ascribed to the whole situation. Maybe I was over thinking the story but if I have a half-man half-bull creature as a protagonist, I like to know a bit more about what's going on other than the occasional strange look he gets!
Cute little message at the end about the importance of appreciating small moments that otherwise get lost in vast stretches of eternity. I guess there's something to take from everything!
The whole story of this Minotaur living in the Deep South was a bit confusing, if only because I didn't quite understand why he was there, what he was doing or the degree of reality ascribed to the whole situation. Maybe I was over thinking the story but if I have a half-man half-bull creature as a protagonist, I like to know a bit more about what's going on other than the occasional strange look he gets!
Cute little message at the end about the importance of appreciating small moments that otherwise get lost in vast stretches of eternity. I guess there's something to take from everything!
jjpalala's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
anxieteaisme's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
flora_3138's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mchill's review against another edition
2.0
Hmm. I wanted to love this book. I wonder whether I just was not the intended audience, however there are a few points that I feel are important to make about this story:
- Beautiful description
- Misogynistic language
- Exploration of the mundane
- Mythology
- Loneliness
I think this story is beautifully bleak and really explores how the Minotaur is content at having an uneventful life. I do believe many would not enjoy this kind of story, because nothing happens. I’m content with nothing happening, and I believe that is the point. However, that does not mean it’s for everyone. I wanted a little more mythology. It would be hinted at but not delved into. And I think seeing how all the Greek legends lived now. I wanted to see Medusa as a cashier. I wouldn’t have craved this if it were not for the fact that the Minotaur started thinking of characters from mythology and bumped into one. And it felt like an avenue that was teased but never explored. I feel the story should have either leaned in or stuck to the depressing grill narrative. I liked the narrative and description… up until it mentioned women, that is…
I think this book did a good job of exploring how lonely men can fall into misogynistic patterns of behaviour. This is never an excuse for these behaviours, however it is interesting to see how it happens and why it’s important to prevent it.
There is a particular scene where the Minotaur is trying to fit in with a group of men and then realises to his horror that he is acting out of character in order to be accepted. This had the potential to explore the harm this kind of misogynistic language can do. However, the story seemed to want us to sympathise with the Minotaur because “he’s not that bad a guy, really”. And in many ways he’s kind and caring and considerate and enjoys the simple things in life. However, he also objectifies women all the time. What he says does not really differ from how he behaves.
Also, the narrative objectifies women. The narrative focuses on their chests constantly and often it would just make me cringe. We never learn much about the passions, personalities and areas of expertise of these women. Which is really sad. I was happy to explore how harassment is ingrained into society and how this character learns and grows. However, the story seemed to want me to pity how this lonely creature feels the need to treat someone that way. The language we use and how we objectify can lead to assault, even if we think it’s small. And I hated the way it was handled.
I also did not expect the Minotaur to engage in an explicit scene. It made me a little uncomfortable to read and it really was not what I expected in this book. So, fair warning to anyone that would bother.
I feel like I got a story I did not sign up for. I wanted to explore how the Minotaur is content living a mundane life, but maybe something is missing. And maybe that is love. Or maybe it is not. I loved the story when it was about his life and not when it was about his love. But I think love could have been explored far more effectively. This story about a legend’s eternal life reaching a normality could have been so lovely. I’m sorry I couldn’t enjoy it more.
- Beautiful description
- Misogynistic language
- Exploration of the mundane
- Mythology
- Loneliness
I think this story is beautifully bleak and really explores how the Minotaur is content at having an uneventful life. I do believe many would not enjoy this kind of story, because nothing happens. I’m content with nothing happening, and I believe that is the point. However, that does not mean it’s for everyone. I wanted a little more mythology. It would be hinted at but not delved into. And I think seeing how all the Greek legends lived now. I wanted to see Medusa as a cashier. I wouldn’t have craved this if it were not for the fact that the Minotaur started thinking of characters from mythology and bumped into one. And it felt like an avenue that was teased but never explored. I feel the story should have either leaned in or stuck to the depressing grill narrative. I liked the narrative and description… up until it mentioned women, that is…
I think this book did a good job of exploring how lonely men can fall into misogynistic patterns of behaviour. This is never an excuse for these behaviours, however it is interesting to see how it happens and why it’s important to prevent it.
There is a particular scene where the Minotaur is trying to fit in with a group of men and then realises to his horror that he is acting out of character in order to be accepted. This had the potential to explore the harm this kind of misogynistic language can do. However, the story seemed to want us to sympathise with the Minotaur because “he’s not that bad a guy, really”. And in many ways he’s kind and caring and considerate and enjoys the simple things in life. However, he also objectifies women all the time. What he says does not really differ from how he behaves.
Also, the narrative objectifies women. The narrative focuses on their chests constantly and often it would just make me cringe. We never learn much about the passions, personalities and areas of expertise of these women. Which is really sad. I was happy to explore how harassment is ingrained into society and how this character learns and grows. However, the story seemed to want me to pity how this lonely creature feels the need to treat someone that way. The language we use and how we objectify can lead to assault, even if we think it’s small. And I hated the way it was handled.
I also did not expect the Minotaur to engage in an explicit scene. It made me a little uncomfortable to read and it really was not what I expected in this book. So, fair warning to anyone that would bother.
I feel like I got a story I did not sign up for. I wanted to explore how the Minotaur is content living a mundane life, but maybe something is missing. And maybe that is love. Or maybe it is not. I loved the story when it was about his life and not when it was about his love. But I think love could have been explored far more effectively. This story about a legend’s eternal life reaching a normality could have been so lovely. I’m sorry I couldn’t enjoy it more.
gageofthegoats's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dbismarck's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5