This is the latest in a series of occasional posts featuring books I read years ago about which I was wildly enthusiastic at the time, wanting to press a copy into as many hands as I could.
Stephen Sherrill’s debut was much talked about just after I started work as a reviews editor. I wasn’t particularly attracted to its premise which seemed a little gimmicky but once I began reading it, I was hooked.
Doomed to immortality the mythical Minotaur has fetched up at a restaurant in North Carolina where he’s found an uneasy acceptance, working as a short-order cook. Desperate to avoid embarrassment he watches his co-workers carefully, trying not to offend but waiting for the inevitable as their tolerance wears thin. He lives in a trailer park and tinkers with cars, a bit-player in his neighbours’ lives. When a new waitress joins Grub’s Rib, M’s interest is piqued. He finds himself drawn to her and, miraculously, she to him.
Sherrill’s characters embody all the traits of frail humanity: both frightened and repelled by difference, and generously accepting of it. There’s a wry humour in his descriptions of M’s daily life: the all-too familiar misunderstandings, his fears, his hopes and his resignation in the face of an eternity spent observing but never belonging.
What about you, any blasts from the past you’d like to share?
You can find more posts like this here.
This doesn’t sound like the sort of book I’d normally go for, but on your recommendation I’d give it a go. It sounds engaging with fully developed characters.
I was deeply sceptical when pitched it but it works so well as an allegory of humans’ reaction to difference, however that might manifest itself, and it’s so witty.
This does sound like an odd premise for a book. I can see how people might dither over deciding to read it or not. I’ve never heard of it myself.
I think he had quite a lot of difficulty finding a publisher. You do have to suspend your disbelief but it’s a great story, very good at illustrating our response to difference.
I think I’ve read this! I certainly remember having a copy, but it’s all a bit vague.
I know that feeling! Perhaps you read it not long after publication. Can’t quite believe that’s well over twenty years ago.
I have a copy of this in the 746! Sounds like I need to move it up the list a bit!
Excellent! Hope you like, Cathy.
This sounds quite intriguing, actually. Non-acceptance of difference is so deeply engrained in people that changes seem too slow coming, even when they do come.
I thought Sherrill illustrated that so well with this allegory, engaging the sympathy of readers for a narrator who couldn’t be more different from them whoever they are or wherever they come from.
I’ve no memory of this coming out at all! That title is irresistible and you have made it sound a very appealing story.
It was a very long time ago! I was shocked when I checked the publication date. Sherrill does an excellent job of universalising difference and our reaction to it.
I have never heard of this but I’d be intrigued by the title alone. Despite the odd premise it sounds a very human book, and quite entertaining to boot.
Exactly that! Well worth seeking out.
I think I read this on your original recommendation and very much enjoyed it.
Pleased to hear that, Rachel. Definitely a title I banged on about enthusiastically all those years ago.
“Doomed to immortality the mythical Minotaur has fetched up at a restaurant in North Carolina where he’s found an uneasy acceptance, working as a short-order cook. ”
I’m picturing him in some off-the-beaten path podunk bar/grill/pizza place! lol Similar to one down the road from me here in very rural, very southern Ohio. lol
Fortunately for him, it’s a bit more urban than that!
LOL!!
Interesting premise – I’ve often wondered what all those immortals from old times are up to these days! This sounds like another great argument for why we should never develop immortality – an eternity of dull jobs and never reaching retirement…
Ha! Not an attractive prospect.
An unusual, intriguing novel with some really interesting themes around acceptance.
That’s it exactly. Such a clever way of illustrating that idea.