The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: A Novel

By: Steven Sherrill

Narrated by: Holter Graham

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Award-winning author, narrator, and screenwriter Neil Gaiman personally selected this book, and, using the tools of the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), cast the narrator and produced this work for his audiobook label, Neil Gaiman Presents.

A few words from Neil on The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: "When Steve and I talked about the ideal voice for M, he suggested Holter Graham….because 'Holter’s handling of the Minotaur’s grunt was PERFECT. Exactly what I heard in my head.'"

Five thousand years out of the Labyrinth, the Minotaur finds himself in the American South, living in a trailer park and working as a line cook at a steakhouse. No longer a devourer of human flesh, the Minotaur is a socially inept, lonely creature with very human needs. But over a two-week period, as his life dissolves into chaos, this broken and alienated immortal awakens to the possibility for happiness and to the capacity for love. "Sherrill also insinuates other mythological beasts - the Hermaphroditus, the Medusa - into the story, suggesting how the Southern landscape is shadowed by these myths. The plot centers around the Minotaur's feelings for Kelly, a waitress who is prone to epileptic fits. Does she reciprocate his affections? As the reader might expect, the course of interspecies love never does run smooth." (Publishers Weekly) Steven Sherrill created the artwork used for the audiobook edition of The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break.

To hear more from Neil Gaiman on The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break, click here, or listen to the introduction at the beginning of the book itself.

Learn more about Neil Gaiman Presents and Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX).

©2000 Steven Sherrill (P)2011 John F. Blair Publisher

For the pensive at heart

Impossibly in tune with the human experience. This book will resonate with you long after you’ve emerged from the Minotaur’s Labyrinth.

Outstanding!

I have read snd listened to many fun and thrilling books in 2018 and this one takes it's place among the top 5 for sure. I loved it. The symbolism and psychology reaches deep. One Goodreads member writes, "it is worthy of being on the syllabus of any American Literature course." I couldn't agree more. I'm buying the sequel immediately.

Human

Steven Sherrill has gifted us with an incredibly human story about an incredible non-human. Fear, lust, humility, desire, and shame are baked into a brilliantly ordinary americana casserole. I, for one, look forward to the next heaping spoonful!

The minutiae of life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I sure would. Completely immersed in the story. Can't explain why - not much "interesting" happens. But the author has a sharp eye for the details of life, character and events and nothing is trivial. The title is programme: "xxx takes a cigarette break" - who would think to write a book on somebody taking a cigarette break? Even if it's a Minotaur.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: A Novel?

There's many of them. All the moments described in detail, closely scrutinized but never boring.

If you could take any character from The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: A Novel out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Just imagining M as a dinner partner. Nah, the conversation wouldn't exactly flow. "How's the roast?" "Mmm" - "Anything interesting happen today?" "Mmm"

Any additional comments?

There were moments that didn't feel entirely "true" to me, slightly construed. Thus "only" 4 stars. But It's an excellent book nevertheless.

Who knew the Minotaur was so lonely?

I can't wait for more from Steven Sherrill. It's so exciting to find a brand-new author, one who isn't afraid to depart from genre conventions in his first public performance. In that respect the novel reminded me of Carl Hiaasen--why have your characters do something typical and expected if it's not in their nature?
And (I feel like a freshman in a lit-crit class even saying this) of course I identified with the Minotaur. I think we're all the Minotaur. We're all haunted by memories of our past, even if it's not 5,000 years old, and trying to reconcile our pasts with our presents. We are all lonely in a way no one quite understands, but if we're lucky, someone might love us anyway.
The performance was good but not especially memorable, which in this case I think is a good thing--what I remember is the story rather than the narrator, so he must have done a good job at inhabiting the role.

Strange but wonderful book

What a strange story. It was a beautiful story of intolerance, acceptance, hope, and love.

Huh...

This is powerfully read and has a few scenes of good insight/description, but in the middle, and beyond that, and at the end, I have no idea what it was about. I don't mean to come across as unintelligent or poorly read. I'm not.

I think this might appeal to the same sort of people who enjoy ambiguous stories which do not resolve and have no decisive action. Think English chick lit/romance novels -- nothing happens (crushingly boring!). Subtle like real Italian food in Italy -- appearing to the American palate as flavorless.

Interesting concept... for what purpose? Why write this story?

I don't regret listening to the story. It kept me awake and on the road up until the last few chapters, but I'll steer clear of this author in the future. There are many more fulfilling things out there to read instead.

So glad Neil Gaiman has teamed with Audible!

What made the experience of listening to The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: A Novel the most enjoyable?

This was a great, fun listen that probably wouldn't have crossed my radar were it not for the partnership between Gaiman and Audible. The narration was fantastic, and no easy feat when trying to convey the speech of a rambling Minotaur with angst!

What did you like best about this story?

its surreal nature, heart and humor.

If you could rename The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: A Novel, what would you call it?

The name is PERFECT, as is. To change it would be sinful.

intelligent and refreshing

I've really enjoyed Neil Gaiman's books and so, naturally, was thrilled to see the "Neil Gaiman Presents" list. The right reader is just as important as a quality book. The collaboration of Author and Gaiman to choose the right reader payed off in this performance. The story itself is refreshingly original and intelligent. I enjoyed every minute.

Beautifully narrated "Slice of Life" book.

This is one of those books that are much better hear over being read. The narration is perfectly paced and read. He captures the essence of the entire story with the single "Urrrrr" of the Minotaur. What I love most about the book is how the author captures the simple essences of life with wonderful prose and descriptions.

I actually had my daughter listen to many parts of this book to show her examples of how a great author can turn simple, mundane actions (e.g. cooking or driving or eating) can be turned into concepts and wonderful flourishing narratives without being overbearing or too "flowery."

Just a wonderful listen. Highly recommended.