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Overview
Much like Lin-Manuel Miranda did in Hamilton, the New York Times best-selling author David Elliott turns a classic on its head in form and approach, updating the timeless story of Theseus and the Minotaur. A rough, rowdy, and darkly comedic young adult retelling in verse, which NPR called "beautifully clever," Bull will have readers reevaluating one of mythology's most infamous monsters. SEE THE STORY OF THESEUS AND THE MINOTAUR
IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT Minos thought he could
Pull a fast one
On me,
Poseidon
God of the Sea
But I'm the last one
On whom you
Should try such a thing.
The nerve of that guy.
The balls. The audacity.
I AM THE OCEAN
I got capacity
Depths Darkness Delphic power
So his sweet little plan
Went big-time sour
And his wife had a son
Born with horns and a muzzle
Who ended up
In an underground puzzle.
What is it with you mortals?
You just can't seem to learn:
If you play with fire, babies,
You're gonna get burned.
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Details
- ISBN-13: 9780544610606
- ISBN-10: 0544610601
- Publisher: Clarion Books
- Publish Date: March 2017
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 0.7 pounds
- Page Count: 200
- Reading Level: Ages 14-UP
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A bold new take on an old story
It’s rude, it’s crude and it’s a whole bunch of fun. David Elliott’s raunchy retelling of the myth of the Minotaur and Theseus, Bull, takes a decidedly modern turn with multiple perspectives and a sympathetic look at the Minotaur.
A useful list of characters, complete with brief biographies, supplies background information that helps illuminate the plot. The characters have unique voices, which reflect their stations in life, understanding of the world and distinctive attitudes. Each character’s narration unfolds through a unique poetic form, and while the forms don’t strictly adhere to poetic rules, they are perfect foils for the characters’ interwoven personalities.
The ancient Greek tale begins with Poseidon’s revenge, resulting in the birth of a baby with the body of a human male and head of a bull. Pasiphae, his mother, names him Asterion, an ironic choice as King Minos eventually spirits him to the depths of the labyrinth where there are no stars to rule.
The story is accurate to the legend, with all the principal players reprising their roles. However, gaps in the original story get filled with down and dirty details, revealing the twisted nature of the characters. Only the Minotaur acts with nobility and leads readers to a central question of how people treat those who are perceived as different. Like any good timeless story, Bull offers contemporary analogies that will resonate with readers.
This article was originally published in the April 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
A bold new take on an old story
It’s rude, it’s crude and it’s a whole bunch of fun. David Elliott’s raunchy retelling of the myth of the Minotaur and Theseus, Bull, takes a decidedly modern turn with multiple perspectives and a sympathetic look at the Minotaur.
A useful list of characters, complete with brief biographies, supplies background information that helps illuminate the plot. The characters have unique voices, which reflect their stations in life, understanding of the world and distinctive attitudes. Each character’s narration unfolds through a unique poetic form, and while the forms don’t strictly adhere to poetic rules, they are perfect foils for the characters’ interwoven personalities.
The ancient Greek tale begins with Poseidon’s revenge, resulting in the birth of a baby with the body of a human male and head of a bull. Pasiphae, his mother, names him Asterion, an ironic choice as King Minos eventually spirits him to the depths of the labyrinth where there are no stars to rule.
The story is accurate to the legend, with all the principal players reprising their roles. However, gaps in the original story get filled with down and dirty details, revealing the twisted nature of the characters. Only the Minotaur acts with nobility and leads readers to a central question of how people treat those who are perceived as different. Like any good timeless story, Bull offers contemporary analogies that will resonate with readers.
This article was originally published in the April 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.