The Minotaur

Monsters of Mythology

by Bernard Evslin

Recounts the Greek myth about the monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man, which lived in the Labyrinth in Crete until killed by the hero Theseus.

Genres: Mythology, Greek Mythology

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1987

About the author

Bernard Evslin was an author best known for his adaptations of Greek mythology. With over seventy titles, which include both novel-length retellings and short stories, Evslin is one of the most widely published authors of classical mythology in the world. His best-known work is Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths, which has sold more than ten million copies worldwide and has been translated into ten different languages. An estimated 30 million students have come into contact with Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths due to its repeated use in high school and college classrooms over the years. This bestselling anthology includes such well-known stories as "Theseus and the Minotaur" and "Perseus and Medusa." He also published non-Hellenic titles such as The Green Hero, based on the Irish mythological character Finn McCool. He also was involved in an audio book called: "Children of the Corn." It included "Whistling Boy" a Native American tale; "Pancho's Puppets," a story about a boy in Mexico, and other stories.

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this version of the Minotaur story, it is a pretty gruesome my 7 and 9 year old were a little concerned. I would recommend it for older elementary age kids.

[Morgan Rutherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I have mixed feelings on this book. First love the artwork, it was really good to see so many different verison of these characters and the cover caught my eye! I love the Minotaur and my heart often breaks for him. One thing I was upset by with this version was the lack of his name. Asterion deserved to have his name shared. I also was upset by the changing of Pasiphae’s parentage. Having Aphrodite be the one to curse her was interesting, I’ve never read it that way but I wanna learn more about it. I love Aphrodite so much so seeing her was a great thing! And Zeus and Posedion were also very enjoyable to read about. I do like and understand the choice to end on a cliffhanger, it was the Minotaur’s story not Theseus. Anyway again a lot of mixed feelings but it was a quick read and I do think people new to Greek mythology would enjoy it!

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book series! I enjoyed it when I was a kid and I went out and bought them for my son also. He's only 8 and I was trying to get him interested in reading. Turns out he LOvES mythology! He loves these books because they don't provide a dry interpretation of the myths. I like them because he is exposed to the myths I loved as a child. Plus , each page has a statue or a painting or something you would find in an art museum. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mythology or someone looking to get their child interested in reading.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a detailed story about that Minotaur and how he was born and how he was killed! Though the [ictures are a bit inappropriate! XD