1930. The novel, set during the time of the ancient Minoan civilization, strives to sustain a mood and cadence in consonance with the epic nature of his theme. The book begins: My sire made seven sacred axes of stone, and went down to the sands of the ever-rolling sea; and I with him. And lo! upon the beach was lying a great Minoan sea-house which goes by means of the ox-hides held high by a tree lopped of its branches; and on each hide was painted in red a monstrous bull.