Review: Gods Behaving Badly


Gods Behaving Badly, by Marie Phillips



Need a good laugh? Look no further, especially if you retained any of the Greek mythology you were taught in college. Author Marie Phillips has given us the gods of Olympus all over again and this time, you'll never again forget just who was the god of what.

That's right, the gods of ancient Greece are alive and well (sort-of) and currently residing in a dilapidated house in the suburbs of London. That's right. London.

The good news is that they've evolved with the times. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is putting her skills to good use as a phone-sex operator.

Remember Apollo, god of the sun? He still does the sun trick everyday (for the most part), but his stunning good looks and vanity have led him to a modern day career as an actor. Well, a failed actor, but still....

Eros, the god of love, has converted to Christianity, while Dionysus, the god of wine, runs a hip nightclub and contributes to all sorts of societal degeneration. Artemis, Hera, Hermes and even Zeus all make appearances and manage to contribute to the mayhem.

The bad news, though, is that their power is fading fast and they need to find a way to avoid dying off all together. Through two perfectly ordinary, endearing mortals into the mix and you have the makings of a riotous tale!

Raunchy behavior and language abound, so don't say you weren't warned, but aside from that Marie Phillips has written a thoroughly delightful tale that evokes both laughter and fond memories of your humanities professor. Enjoy!


Title: Gods Behaving Badly
Author: Marie Phillips
ISBN-13: 978-0316067638
320 pages
Publisher: Back Bay Books; Reprint edition
Date: December 9, 2008



Additional reviews floating around Blogland:

Booklorn
Booking Mama
SciFiGuy.ca
Old Musty Books
The Written World
Outlandish Dreaming
Destination Unknown
Official Blog for Jamieson Wolf
A Mom's Book Blog
Brain Drippings from a Warped Mind...
Collected Miscellany





21 snappy comebacks:

Marg said...

I really want to read this one, but it doesn't seem to be available yet!

Sandy Nawrot said...

OK, I am laughing out loud and I haven't read the first page. This book sounds like it right up my alley. I am quite entertained my cursing and debauchery!

Beth F said...

Will be reading it soon! Mr BFR has been eying up my copy (thanks so much again!); I hope I won't have to fight him for it!

Lezlie said...

This one is on my radar. I almost picked up the audiobook at the library a couple weeks ago. Maybe next time. . . :-)

Lezlie

Beth F said...

Michele: I've given you an award; come on by and pick it up.(here)

Michelle said...

I can't wait to read this one, it sounds like so much fun. Can't find it anywhere though!

Anna said...

I thought this book was hilarious. I've linked your review to mine, which is here.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

bermudaonion said...

I haven't read this yet, but I loved listening to Marie Phillips on Blog Talk Radio - she was hilarious.

Jo-Jo said...

I have this one on my shelf and can't wait to get to it!

Amy @ Passages to the Past said...

Great review...looks like a fun, sill read!

Dar said...

I've got this one on my nightstand-now I just need the time to get to it. Glad you liked it.

Michele at Reader's Respite said...

Marg - it's not out down under??

Michelle - where are you located?

Julie said...

I loved this one too - I thought it was hilarious (as I put in my review) and brilliant!

Shauna- Reading and Ruminations said...

Ooh, that sounds like a fun read. I'm headed into town this afternoon, so maybe a stop at the bookstore is in order...

Marg said...

I more meant that my library doesn't have it. I haven't seen it in any bookstores, but I haven't specifically looked for it either.

Eva said...

I love your blog design! (haven't been here before)

Michele at Reader's Respite said...

Marg - ahhhh, I getcha. Strange, though, that the library wouldn't carry it. It's a perfect library read (read and return type of thing).
They just re-released it, so maybe it's coming.

Julie - I added your review!

Eva - thank you (I hired somebody to design it, LOL, I'm not that talented).

Shauna - it really is a cute book! A bookstore visit? I'm jealous!

Shana said...

Great review, Michele. I'm all over a book that is as funny as everyone is saying this one is!

Shana
Literarily

Andi said...

This one sounds like so much fun. I think I'd love it!

Ladytink_534 said...

I haven't gotten around to reading it yet but I won this one. Love mythology in a modern setting!

spetrone said...

This reminds me a bit of The Night Life of the Gods by Thorne Smith (the guy who wrote Topper). It's very funny and the jokes still hold up (it was written in the 1930s). I think I'll have reread Night Life and then read Gods Behaving Badly.