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

Way different from what I expected--but way good

What did you love best about The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: A Novel?

The story and the reader were so good, that I found myself interested in the most mundane details of life when seen from the Monotaur's perspective.

What other book might you compare The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: A Novel to and why?

It's pretty unique--can't compare it.

Which scene was your favorite?

No one scene--the entire book was good.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Life from the perspective of a Minotaur.

Any additional comments?

It's weird and really entertaining. No monsters. No supernatural.

Unusually quirky

I thought the narration was great and would listen to more books by Graham. The story was very different, with great detail about a small slice in the life of the Minotaur in modern times. I would only say I expected a different ending and frankly have not decided how I feel about it - not necessarily a bad thing - I just had a very different ending imagined.

smart and simultaneously heart-warming/breaking

This was beautifully written. Given the premise, I was expecting the story to be absurd, but somehow Sherrill told the story in a way that was utterly serious and tackled some of the biggest issues that literature can address (like what it means to be human). That being said, there is definitely a dark/morbid sense of humor throughout. The ending-that-is-not-an-ending was perfect.

Excellent piece of magical realism

What a great little story. Full of surprises, vastly human and... inhuman. The narrator has an instinctive sense of how it should be presented. Excellent all around.

Entertaining, somewhat repetitive

Would you be willing to try another book from Steven Sherrill? Why or why not?

Maybe. I listened to the audio on the way to and from work and enjoyed it. Some parts were repetitive. There were multiple instances where his horns were getting caught etc. It was an interesting story though and generally kept my attention

Which character – as performed by Holter Graham – was your favorite?

Mr Sweeney, the character reminded me of some real people I know.

A Story About the Loneliness of Being Different

A 5000 year old drifter, a minotaur, works as a cook in a southern steak house where he falls in love with a waitress.
Funny, sad, introspective, poetic.
A gem.

Terrific reading by Holter Graham.

Excellent, very odd, and very sad

If you could sum up The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break: A Novel in three words, what would they be?

Sadness, lonliness, isolation

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Minotaur.

Have you listened to any of Holter Graham’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

This was a very good book, although the thing that really stays with you after both during and after finishing the book is the unrelenting sense of loneliness and sadness that the author imbues in the Minotaur. At times I found the book difficult to listen to because of this. The author did an amazing job of making the Minotaur feel like a real character that exists in the real world. He does such a good job at this that you sometimes forget that he is a mythical creature. This in and of itself can actually feel like a detriment, as the book loses some of the 'magic' that comes from writing about mythical creates.
Ultimately, I think that this is definitely worth listening to, but just remember that it is not about mythology, it is about the lonliness, sadness and isolation that comes from being different from everyone around you.

A new take on an old story

Sherrill's original retelling (I know it's a contradiction, but that's what he does) of the myth is essential reading. It touches on how to be human and humane through the eyes of a beast. Or is he? He subjects human society to a deeply critical, bewildered scrutiny. There are touching moments of love, and one of the most terrifying accounts of watching late-night tv. Brilliant!

Want to reccomend but I just can't

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Maybe to a few friends. The reader Holter Graham is excellent, but the story just never seems to go anywhere. I kept listening hoping for some twist or turn to take things in a new or surprising direction but it never happens.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The Minotaur character doesn't really change, there was a real opportunity to take him in an unexpected direction or to have him grow.

What does Holter Graham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He really brings the characters to life and gives them depth.

Any additional comments?

Overall this book was a let down, there was an opportunity to do something different. Because of this it ultimately disappoints the listener. As a warning to potential listeners there is some strong language, strong sexual language, sex situations so this isn't for young listeners or those easily offended.

Steven Sherrill is an authors author

I can see why Neil Gaiman likes this guy. He can create a sceen and make it come to life with a creative resonance that is facinating to listen to. Just awesome. However, the reason I only gave it three starts is that nothing really happens in the story and this incredible writing can only get it so far.

In fact, I stopped listening to it about 4/5 through the book, but I plan to get back too it later. One reason was that their is this sex sceen that was just a little too wierd and graphic. But man, can this guy write...amazing.