Why the Minotaur? It started with “what if?” What if the story of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur was a fabrication? Suppose the great Greek hero Theseus was not so great? I guess it's the cynic in me that can think this way. I have always had my suspicions that conspiracy fills the great halls of our capitols, with Washington DC leading the way. I decided that human nature has not changed much over the centuries and that the Minotaur affair could have been as much a cover up as Watergate.
And, as a result, a story was born. Within the secluded walls of the Labyrinth a drunken Theseus tries to defeat the not so fearsome Minotaur. He fails in the most miserable fashion, but then strikes up a deal with Quint, which is the Minotaur’s proper name, the half bull half man hero of our story. Theseus gets the glory and the Minotaur gains his freedom.
The book began as a short story, a retelling of the Minotaur myth from this new perspective. But, I was stuck with what to do with Quint after his escape. So, I kept him alive. I created a long life, filled with our hero's interaction with some of the great characters and events of history. But, how can a writer keep such a monster hidden over thousands of years of history? Make him fit in, of course. Put him in situations where a half bovine creature appears to be perfectly natural. Sound easy? Not really, but it works remarkably well and the end result is the Minotaur’s memoir, the “Minotaur Revisited.”
What’s the point? History happens in real time. There are witnesses to actual events, yet the story changes. Politics, prejudices prevailing winds all add their own peculiar slant to an event. Each slant may alter the record of events until history becomes whatever the recorder wishes it to be. But, now there is the Minotaur, an actual eyewitness to some of the most momentous events ever reported. The response to his story will leave the reader shaking his or her head; pondering this world and our modern, “enlightened” times.
Could I have used a different myth? Of course, but the Minotaur myth unfolds in a place without any witnesses, thus lending itself perfectly to my conspiracy theory. I have taken my hatchet to a few other myths and stories over the years. On my blog, heardintheor.blogspot.com. I wrote an article, “Conversation with the Minotaur”, which sheds new light on the myths of Pandora and Hercules. Then there is “After Horton”, another article which tells what happened to the characters in Dr. Suess’ “Horton Hears a Who” after they nearly destroy an entire civilization.*
I hope that readers will take a look at my stories. They will truly be entertained and, perhaps, will stop and think about this world which surrounds us.
About the novel:
Legend states that the Minotaur was confined to the Labyrinth, slain by Theseus and then laid to rest by thousands of years of Greek mythology. But, the truth is far different. Read the Minotaur’s own words as he recounts his full life as god, king, warrior, matchmaker, midwife, monk, sage, father, mother, husband and, most of all, witness. The fierce Minotaur lived to see and be a part of the best and worst of humanity during a life spanning thousands of years. Part bull, part human, the Minotaur struggled to find his place in this world and, in the end, left his unique mark on history.
And, as a result, a story was born. Within the secluded walls of the Labyrinth a drunken Theseus tries to defeat the not so fearsome Minotaur. He fails in the most miserable fashion, but then strikes up a deal with Quint, which is the Minotaur’s proper name, the half bull half man hero of our story. Theseus gets the glory and the Minotaur gains his freedom.
The book began as a short story, a retelling of the Minotaur myth from this new perspective. But, I was stuck with what to do with Quint after his escape. So, I kept him alive. I created a long life, filled with our hero's interaction with some of the great characters and events of history. But, how can a writer keep such a monster hidden over thousands of years of history? Make him fit in, of course. Put him in situations where a half bovine creature appears to be perfectly natural. Sound easy? Not really, but it works remarkably well and the end result is the Minotaur’s memoir, the “Minotaur Revisited.”
What’s the point? History happens in real time. There are witnesses to actual events, yet the story changes. Politics, prejudices prevailing winds all add their own peculiar slant to an event. Each slant may alter the record of events until history becomes whatever the recorder wishes it to be. But, now there is the Minotaur, an actual eyewitness to some of the most momentous events ever reported. The response to his story will leave the reader shaking his or her head; pondering this world and our modern, “enlightened” times.
Could I have used a different myth? Of course, but the Minotaur myth unfolds in a place without any witnesses, thus lending itself perfectly to my conspiracy theory. I have taken my hatchet to a few other myths and stories over the years. On my blog, heardintheor.blogspot.com. I wrote an article, “Conversation with the Minotaur”, which sheds new light on the myths of Pandora and Hercules. Then there is “After Horton”, another article which tells what happened to the characters in Dr. Suess’ “Horton Hears a Who” after they nearly destroy an entire civilization.*
I hope that readers will take a look at my stories. They will truly be entertained and, perhaps, will stop and think about this world which surrounds us.
About the novel:
Legend states that the Minotaur was confined to the Labyrinth, slain by Theseus and then laid to rest by thousands of years of Greek mythology. But, the truth is far different. Read the Minotaur’s own words as he recounts his full life as god, king, warrior, matchmaker, midwife, monk, sage, father, mother, husband and, most of all, witness. The fierce Minotaur lived to see and be a part of the best and worst of humanity during a life spanning thousands of years. Part bull, part human, the Minotaur struggled to find his place in this world and, in the end, left his unique mark on history.
About the author:
David Gelber, a New York native, is the seventh of nine sons and one of three to pursue medicine. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1980 and went on to graduate medical school in 1984 from the University of Rochester.
He completed his residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, followed by three years as attending surgeon at Nassau County Medical Center in Long Island, N.Y. Gelber has since joined Coastal Surgical Group in Houston, Texas.
Gelber has been a surgeon for more than 20 years, but over the last few years he began to pursue his passion for writing, initially with his debut novel, "Future Hope" (Emerald Book Company, January 2010). The novel speculates about future Earth and what the world might have been like if man had not succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden. "Joshua and Aaron" is a sequel to "Future Hope" and follows the battle of wills that transpires between unsung hero Joshua Smith and satanic Aaron Diblonski.
Dr. Gelber has added two books about surgery, "Behind the Mask" and "Under the Drapes", both of which provide the reader with a view of the world of surgery rarely seen by those outside the medical professions.
"Last Light" is an apocalyptic short story which starts off asking the question: "What would happen if nobody ever was sick or injured?"
"Minotaur Revisited" is an entertaining romp through history seen through the eyes of Quint, the famed half bull half man monster of Greek Mythology. It was in October 2012.
Gelber was raised in reformed Judaism, but joined the Presbyterian Church 15 years ago. He is married with three teenage children, four dogs and 24 birds of various species. His interests include horse racing, mechanical Swiss watches and, of course, writing.
David will be awarding a $100 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter at the conclusion of the two tours. For more chances to win, go to Goddess Fish Promotions.
David Gelber, a New York native, is the seventh of nine sons and one of three to pursue medicine. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1980 and went on to graduate medical school in 1984 from the University of Rochester.
He completed his residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, followed by three years as attending surgeon at Nassau County Medical Center in Long Island, N.Y. Gelber has since joined Coastal Surgical Group in Houston, Texas.
Gelber has been a surgeon for more than 20 years, but over the last few years he began to pursue his passion for writing, initially with his debut novel, "Future Hope" (Emerald Book Company, January 2010). The novel speculates about future Earth and what the world might have been like if man had not succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden. "Joshua and Aaron" is a sequel to "Future Hope" and follows the battle of wills that transpires between unsung hero Joshua Smith and satanic Aaron Diblonski.
Dr. Gelber has added two books about surgery, "Behind the Mask" and "Under the Drapes", both of which provide the reader with a view of the world of surgery rarely seen by those outside the medical professions.
"Last Light" is an apocalyptic short story which starts off asking the question: "What would happen if nobody ever was sick or injured?"
"Minotaur Revisited" is an entertaining romp through history seen through the eyes of Quint, the famed half bull half man monster of Greek Mythology. It was in October 2012.
Gelber was raised in reformed Judaism, but joined the Presbyterian Church 15 years ago. He is married with three teenage children, four dogs and 24 birds of various species. His interests include horse racing, mechanical Swiss watches and, of course, writing.
David will be awarding a $100 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter at the conclusion of the two tours. For more chances to win, go to Goddess Fish Promotions.
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