MINOTAUR REVISITED
By David Gelber
This post is part of a virtual tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. David will be awarding a $100 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter at the conclusion of this and the virtual book tour. So follow the tour and make sure to comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour stops can be found by clicking here or on the tour banner.
BLURB:
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.
AUTHOR INFORMATION: 
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.
LINKS:
Review: Minotaur
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY stood before the multitude that packed the auditorium, a crowd composed of students, professors, politicians, religious leaders, and visiting dignitaries.
“Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, ‘The Minotaur,’ the half-bull half-man resident of the Labyrinth of Crete, beast of myth and legend.”
I’m not certain what I was expecting from the book, but the very beginning captured my attention and I settled down to find a point where my attention strayed. I didn’t reach that point.
He experiences loss, exile, want, shame, redemption, love, and yearning. His longevity has offered him the full life-cycle of human emotions and yet not stripped him of the naïve gentleness that is his nature from the beginning of the story. I won’t mention specifics because it would mar the enjoyment of this story. The fun of this read is to enjoy the twists of the Minotaur’s tale, see him as more human than those around him, and to experience the end of his presentation in symbiosis with this creature of myth.
What I liked: Humanity in a creature. Tales of generosity juxtaposed to the harsh brutality of history. The Minotaur battles each challenge with dignity and perhaps a sense of humor. He fully embraces his soul, though he is sure he doesn’t possess one. He’s entrancing and enjoyable, someone easily visualized as a friend, comrade and perhaps a dedicated soul mate.
What I didn’t: I can’t really classify this as a dislike, but I would have been interested to see the Minotaur wander farther from his general sphere of origin. His journey encompasses the ancient history that most of us learned in grade school, being European, Greek and Roman mythologies, and the Christian timeline. Part of me yearned to see him venture to the depths of the Far East, the dark jungles of Africa, and the wild sweep of South America. However, this wasn’t a deterrent in reading, only a wish on my part. His story is his own, a full circle in his path through life, and worthy of reading.
The story is entertaining and the Minotaur is a welcome surprise from fable and legend, an entertaining gentle giant!
21 comments
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Goddess Fish Promotions
02/20/2013 at 6:10 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you for hosting today.
David Gelber
02/20/2013 at 8:42 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to read and review my book.
Trix
02/20/2013 at 12:30 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think we can all identify with the Minotaur sometimes (hey, life can be one big labyrinth)…this will be fun to read!
momjane
02/20/2013 at 4:39 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You have really written a fabulous story
David Gelber
02/20/2013 at 5:25 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The Minotaur does spend some time as a sage in the mountians of Tibet. I suppose that could qualify as travelling to the far east.
Chelsea B.
02/20/2013 at 9:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This novel sounds like this and that and everything in between. I am looking forward to it!
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
bn100
02/20/2013 at 11:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Interesting the author’s written surgery books.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Ami
02/21/2013 at 1:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It’s an interesting concept
shadowrunner1987ATgmailDOTcom
gala
02/21/2013 at 1:15 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sounds captivating, it’s an intesting way to look at a legend in a new way.
galaschick78(at)gmail(dot)com
emiliana
02/21/2013 at 1:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You don’t seem to like Thesseus very much, is there a reason why you decided on the Minotaur as a hero?
emiliana25 at web dot de
David Gelber
02/21/2013 at 7:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s thee cynic in me who believes conspiracy exists around all “important” people, such asTheseus
lyra
02/21/2013 at 1:56 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great excerpt!
lyra.lucky7ATgmailDOTcom
Mary Preston
02/22/2013 at 5:42 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
“Humanity in a creature.” A great reason to read this book I’d say.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Dione Sage
02/22/2013 at 2:55 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love books that are a retelling of the Greek myths! This book sounds wonderful and different! Can’t wait to read it!
Best wishes with your book David!
uilani25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Andra L
02/23/2013 at 8:57 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I really liked this review! Thanks for convincing me to buy lol!
andralynn 7 AT gmail DOT com
Kate h
02/24/2013 at 5:03 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for the chance to win!
hense1kk@cmich.edu
Anne C
02/26/2013 at 1:38 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for the review. I have not seen a book with a minotaur as the protagonist yet. This book is something new for me plus I love retelling and spin-off of mythology. I would really love to read this!
anne.j2 (at) gmail.com
Joy F
02/26/2013 at 8:31 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Sounds good. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
BookLady
02/26/2013 at 10:17 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What an interesting story! Love mythology. Thanks for the giveaway.
bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
Anastasia
02/28/2013 at 2:50 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love greek mythology, it’s great that it’s not the usual gods that you are writing about!
moonsurfer123 AT gmail DOT com
Sydney W
03/01/2013 at 6:41 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Like the review.
Minotaur as Hero is different.
Makes an interesting read
Sydney W
Bookaddict100(AT)gmail(DOT)com