Bull by David Elliott

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Elliott, David. 2017. BULL. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780544610606. 

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Greek Mythology has never felt so contemporary! Elliott retells the ancient tale of Theseus and the Minotaur in a modern-day novel in verse.  It is a heartbreaking story of revenge and jealousy.  Asterion, the Minotaur, is a victim of curse and circumstance, whose physical appearance precludes him from acceptance and love. After Poseidon sets his plot in motion, he sits back and watches the players deteriorate and descend into misery.  

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The poetic structure of this book is exceptionally unique and powerful. It is entrancing- with its dramatic soap opera-like plot of twisted loves and family betrayal. Elliott has taken a story that has been told and retold so many times, and he has given it new life. 

The Afterword gives insight into the varying poetic structures of the different character voices. Elliott was very intentional with the relationship between structure and meaning.  He gave different characters different poetic forms. The varying cadences enhance the potency of the character’s thoughts and feelings, and distinguish the perspectives. 

His characterization of Asterion is sympathy-inducing. The reader can’t help but fall in love with this sad aberration. All he wants is love and acceptance from his own family. His unique parentage is no fault of his own, yet he bears the burden of his mother’s cursed misdeed. He maintains hope for longer than anyone would expect.

The universal lessons of choice and consequence can be seen in several plot points. Even when the choice is not your own, it does not prevent one from bearing the consequences. 

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Booklist starred, (December 2016) “Effective both for classrooms and pleasure reading, this modernization brings new relevancy to an old story. It’s a conceit that easily could have floundered; in Elliott’s capable hands, it soars.”

Horn Book Guide starred, (October 2017)

Kirkus Reviews starred, (December 2016) “Elliott’s absolutely magnetic rhythms will wake up any high school class, and the book could also work as a play. Irresistible, slick, and sharp (no bull!)—with plenty of bull to dissect.”

School Library Journal, (February 2017)

Teacher Librarian, (April 2018)

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), (February 2017)

5. CONNECTIONS
*Because of the language, this book is recommended for grades 9+.  It would be a strong addition to a more modern mythology unit, along with the Olympians series by George O’Connor, and the graphic novel of The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds.
*For high schoolers and beyond, Bull would be a great introductory novel to a characterization study of the cast of the classic myth, with further, more in-depth readings like Ariadne by Jennifer Saint and Phaedra by Laura Shepperson.