By Dean Poling
GODS BEHAVING BADLY
Marie Phillips
In this satiric short novel, debut novelist Marie Phillips creates a world much like our own, save the Greek gods of myth not only exist. They are still bumping around; however, in a much dilapidated and desperate state than their previous glory atop Mount Olympus. Rather than sprawling plantation worthy of the pantheon, they have been reduced to living in a run-down London townhouse in the 21st century. Apollo seeks glory as the psychic host of reality TV show. Artemis, the goddess of hunting, walks dogs for a living. Aphrodite passes her days working as a sex goddess of the phone lines. Ares plots wars between small countries from the room he shares with Apollo. Eros is a born-again Christian. Hera has sat motionless for years. Zeus has lost his mind. And they are all losing their powers. Aphrodite’s plot to have Apollo fall for a mortal puts the Greek gods in the path of Alice, a shy house cleaner, and Neil, the repressed man hoping to be Alice’s boyfriend. What starts as a prank puts the gods and Earth on a collision course with doom: Apollo is stricken and the sun goes out. Will Earth be saved? Will the pantheon return to its former glory? Anyone familiar with the gods of Greek mythology can enjoy this satirical look at how these larger-than-life figures deal with the often demeaning demands of modern life. Phillips has a fine, quick-witted writing style. This novel is similar to the type of thing that Neil Gaiman might right, but not up to his level of expertise. That said, “Gods Behaving Badly” is as sure as Eros’ arrows; if you like a little raw, raucous satire, you’ll love this book
