The White Bull

"Here...we found a frieze, marvellously carved in stone, and some other artwork as well, showing some of the Bullheaded people in the act of bringing light to the poor human people of earth. Most of these in the picture stretched up their carven arms in gratitude. I supposed this must have been carved by the Bullheads themselves." - Daedalus the inventor, herein I first read THE WHITE BULL on the strength of an implied comparison on the front cover with PYRAMIDS and AFTER THE FACT (the two books making up Saberhagen's omnibus PILGRIM). Like PYRAMIDS, THE WHITE BULL shows someone from a starfaring civilization operating in a Bronze Age civilization that classifies him as a god. Pilgrim's goals were self-centered and his means of accomplishing them rather dubious, though he himself often gave the impression of being a charming rogue at worst. The White Bull, on the other hand, is openly working for the betterment of humanity, but is quickly established as having somewhat disturbing means of achieving his goals (with the added benefit to the story of establishing his non-human perspective). Readers can decide for themselves which of Saberhagen's protagonists is the greater threat to those around him. As Daedalus, the narrator - already a mature man and famed artisan even before encountering this strangest of strangers as a fellow exile at the court of Minos of Crete - says, "[W]henever I see someone approaching to do me a favour - be it man or woman, god or goddess - I generally do myself a favour and flee in the other direction. Through experience I have acquired this habit, and it lies near the root of whatever modest stock of wisdom I possess." As a man who has survived in more than one king's court despite disclaiming any skill at intrigue, Daedalus' distrust of a stranger bearing gifts is well in character. Saberhagen uses a very free adaptation of various myths - not just the most obvious of those involving Daedalus and Crete, either - as Daedalus recounts his story from memory, long after the fact, allowing for reinterpretation of the myth not only as 'true' history versus what distorted legend (and chroniclers mindful of pleasing royal patrons) later came to say, but a personal perspective from someone more technically minded than most people of his day even before the Bull's teachings came into his life. Saberhagen is quite artful in presenting enough of the White Bull's background and aims to make him somewhat comprehensible while still leaving him both alien and mysterious, and in telling a complete story while making clear that still more stories could be told to illuminate the setting. Daedalus' narrative slips occasionally into somewhat more scientific jargon than even his esoteric experience and education can justify. The presentation of Cretan culture and that of the surrounding nations isn't as well handled as Renault's THE KING MUST DIE, but on the other hand this is secret history, involving alien contact that has since been

In the THE WHITE BULL Fred Saberhagen again shows his prowess at giving a fascinating new spin to an old story. The narrator of this tale is Daedalus, the Greek inventor famous for the creation of human wings - in the legend his son Icarus perished while misusing them. In Saberhagen's version, Daedalus has recently had a misunderstanding with the King of Athens, so flees to the court of King Minos of Crete. He has been working for the king for a short time when a white bull, subject of an old prophecy, comes out of the sea onto the shores of Heraklios. This is an unusual bull - he walks on two legs, can speak, and is accompanied by a metallic companion. It is quickly apparent to the reader (but incomprehensible to the narrator) that the bull and his strange companions are visitors from outer space. At the bull's request, Daedalus builds a labyrinth where the bull sets up a school - which is destroyed by the brutish Athenian prince Theseus. The bull's school is a clever parody of the ridiculous aspects of the university system; the book itself is divided into sections named after the various stages of study at university. An entertaining read even if this subtlety is lost on you, a good yarn about alien invaders in Greek times.

THE WHITE BULL by Fred Saberhagen is an interesting twist on the story of Daedalus and his son Icarus.A large white bull rises from the sea and enters the kingdom of King Minos. This bull is not quite like normal bulls. It walks upright and speaks like a man. It also comes from amongst the stars. The story sort of becomes a twist on Twain's CONNECTICUT YANKEE. Daedalus is commissioned to fashion a labyrinth, a welcome relief from the requests for terra cotta plumbing, and while helping the bull is given the knowledge he needs to fulfill his dream of flight (yes, wax has something to do with it). The bull sets up a university in an inspired parody of university administration that just has to be read.All of the classic elements of the tale of the Minotaur are present but with a twist of science fiction. Like the original, this story involves tragedy as Daedalus just tries to be free. Based on a short story that I haven't read, I found this to be one of Saberhagen's better novels. If you can find a copy you should give it a look.