The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break by Stephen Sherrill

That is the newest in a collection of occasional posts that includes books I learn years in the past about which I used to be wildly enthusiastic on the time, eager to press a replica into as many palms as I may.

Stephen Sherrill’s debut was a lot talked about simply after I began work as a critiques editor. I wasn’t notably drawn to its premise which appeared just a little gimmicky however as soon as I started studying it, I used to be hooked.

Doomed to immortality the legendary Minotaur has fetched up at a restaurant in North Carolina the place he’s discovered an uneasy acceptance, working as a short-order prepare dinner. Determined to keep away from embarrassment he watches his co-workers fastidiously, making an attempt to not offend however ready for the inevitable as their tolerance wears skinny. He lives in a trailer park and tinkers with vehicles, a bit-player in his neighbours’ lives. When a brand new waitress joins Grub’s Rib, M’s curiosity is piqued. He finds himself drawn to her and, miraculously, she to him.

Sherrill’s characters embody all of the traits of frail humanity: each frightened and repelled by distinction, and generously accepting of it. There’s a wry humour in his descriptions of M’s day by day life: the all-too acquainted misunderstandings, his fears, his hopes and his resignation within the face of an eternity spent observing however by no means belonging.

What about you, any blasts from the previous you’d wish to share?

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