Red Thread: On Mazes and Labyrinths

Red Thread by Charlotte Higgins is a fascinating exploration of the myth of the labyrinth, tracing its origins in Homer, Catullus, Virgil, and Ovid and exploring the ideas of writers and artists from Dante to Picasso. It is a winding and unpredictable journey through the author's imagination, full of unexpected connections and surprising pleasures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 09 September 2021
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Charlotte Higgins' remarkable work, "Red Thread," is a captivating masterpiece that weaves together a mesmerizing tapestry of myth, art, literature, history, archaeology, and memoir. The tale of the hero Theseus, who slays the fearsome Minotaur and navigates his way out of the labyrinth using Ariadne's ball of red thread, is one of the most intriguing, suggestive, and enduring myths in human history. The labyrinth itself, a magnificent, confounding, and terrifying structure crafted for the half-man, half-bull monster, stands as a testament to the boundless creativity and ingenuity of humanity.

In her captivating book, Charlotte Higgins delves into the origins of this mythological narrative, tracing its threads through the poems of Homer, Catullus, Virgil, and Ovid. Through her meticulous research and ingenious storytelling, she constructs an intricate edifice of her own, exploring the labyrinthine ideas of writers such as Dante, Borges, George Eliot, and Conan Doyle, as well as artists like Titian, Velázquez, Picasso, and Eva Hesse.

Higgins' narrative is a complex and multi-layered exploration of the human condition, asking profound questions about loss, finding one's way, and navigating the intricate and often confusing path of a lived life. With her intricate construction, she leads the reader on a winding and unpredictable journey through the byways of her imagination, offering unexpected connections and delightful surprises along the way.

"Red Thread" is, above all, a testament to the power of storytelling and the limitless possibilities of the human mind. It is a work that invites readers to immerse themselves in a world of myth, art, and literature, while also providing a thought-provoking and enriching exploration of the human experience. Whether you are a lover of mythology, art, or literature, or simply seeking a captivating and thought-provoking journey, "Red Thread" is a must-read that will leave you enchanted and inspired.

Weight: 282g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784702649