The Centaur

Interesting Facts

• The book is a modern interpretation of the ancient Greek myth of the centaur Chiron.
• The main character, George Caldwell, is a high school teacher who symbolizes Chiron.
• George's son, Peter, symbolizes Prometheus, adding a mythological layer to their relationship.
• The novel combines elements of realism and mythology, creating a unique narrative.
• The book won the National Book Award in 1964.
• The work explores themes of sacrifice, fatherhood, and human vulnerability.
• The structure of the novel alternates between real events and mythological allusions, making it complex and multilayered.