The Night Life of the Gods (Penguin Books)

by Thorne Smith

Book Overview

This book is a result of an effort made by us towards making a contribution to the preservation and repair of original classic literature. In an attempt to preserve, improve and recreate the original... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B002CKUY7K
• Release Date: January 1960
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

hilarious story, downbeat ending

NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS is a novel of moments, but the moments are priceless. For example, when the armless statue of Venus comes to life, her drapery, frozen in stone before, now slides to her feet. And the scene in which Neptune visits the Fulton Fish Market is alone worth the price of the book. NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS is one of the most original comic novels I have ever read, and I recommend it to those lucky people who are able to procure a copy!

Sheer Entertainment

I was about 13 years old when I discovered this book. It had been left with others on the third floor of our home. They belonged to an Uncle who was overseas during WWII. Had my parents been aware of just what I was reading, I am sure they would have confiscated the book. I was well into my 20's when I 're-discovered' Night Life of the Gods, among other Thorn Smith books, and read them again without the little girl giggles. We still laugh aloud over the delicious romps of Smith's characters. The tales are timeless and still a lot of fun. Not the least bit significant of anything; a leap from so much seriousness in print today. Read, laugh and enjoy a fine humorist.

A Touch of Maniacal Genius

Thorne Smith should be hailed as one the greatest writers of the 20th Century. I never heard about him from any of my teachers in high school or college. It took a great friend of mine to give me her copy of Nightlife of the Gods to get me started. And I thank her all the time for it.This book is absolutely incredible in the amount of hilarity it contains. I just can't write enough about this book, as of many of his other books that are out of print....Rain in the Doorway chief among them. But anyways, buy this book for your funny bone's sake and you will not got home angry. Rest, Relax, Read, Enjoy. This book is worth every cent you pay for it.

The most hilarious book I've ever read, period.

I first read this book back in 1977. The reason I did so beacuase of a mythological course I was taking in school. The characters touched me and made me laugh until I was in tears and people around me asked what was so funny. It's hard to explain that to some but now every time I need to laugh all I have to remember is that book, it's characters and the sheer hilarity it brought to my day. I've also read many other books by Thorne Smith and have found that the lessons they impart to us about everyday life and the spots we get ourselves in sometimes without our doing can turn out to be some of the best times of our lives. I'm looking forward to buying this book again in 2000 as my copy has been slowly destroyed over the years, and I am in need of another to get me through the next 30 years. I do belive that everyone who has a hidden sense of humor should read this book as it might make them smile more often and especially those in stressful careers and jobs. You'll love it!

Greek Gods/Goddesses run amok in New York City!

The much put-upon Hunter Hawk, Inventor, creates a ray that brings statues to life. It's amazing the trouble a high-spirited group of Greek Gods and Goddesses can get into! Fashioning arms for Venus allows her to grab men off the street; Neptune terrifies swimmers with his dead man float; and Perseus will insist on feeding Medusa's head fish tidbits at the restaurant, much to the waiter's horror. I laugh out loud every time I read this wonderful book.