Gods Behaving Badly

The Greek gods of Mount Olympus now live in a dilapidated London flat, their divine powers diminishing as modern humans cease to worship them. Apollo works as a TV psychic, Aphrodite runs a phone sex line, and Artemis walks dogs for a living - while their former king Zeus stays in his room upstairs, growing senile and occasionally hurling thunderbolts. A mortal cleaning lady named Alice enters their world when she takes a job at their residence, unaware of their true identities. Her arrival triggers a chain of events involving love, jealousy, and divine powers that threaten both the gods' existence and the fate of the world itself. The novel reimagines Greek mythology in contemporary London, exploring what happens when immortal beings must adapt to modern life. The story brings together elements of romantic comedy, fantasy, and classical mythology while examining themes of faith, power, and human connection.

Reader reviews describe this as a light, comedic novel that doesn't quite live up to its premise. Readers appreciated: - Fresh take on Greek gods in modern London - Quick, entertaining pace - Humorous situations and dialogue - The character of Apollo - Moments of clever mythology references Common criticisms: - Plot becomes predictable - Characters lack depth - Humor feels forced at times - Writing style described as "juvenile" by multiple readers - Romance subplot fails to engage Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (19,000+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (200+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.2/5 (300+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Fun premise but peters out halfway through" - Goodreads reviewer "Like a sitcom version of American Gods" - Amazon reviewer "Expected more sophisticated humor given the concept" - LibraryThing reviewer The book draws comparisons to Terry Pratchett but readers note it lacks his depth and wit.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman Ancient gods from multiple pantheons live among humans in America, struggling with diminished powers while facing conflict with new deities of technology and media.

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams Detective Dirk Gently investigates a case involving Norse gods living in present-day London, dealing with their faded glory and modern inconveniences.

The Just City by Jo Walton The goddess Athena creates an experimental city based on Plato's Republic, bringing together people from different time periods to test whether gods and mortals can build a perfect society.

Olympos by Dan Simmons Greek gods interfere in human affairs across time and space, mixing classical mythology with science fiction as they manipulate both ancient and modern worlds.

The Immortals by Jordanna Max Brodsky A Greek goddess living in modern Manhattan must solve murders while protecting her secret identity and dealing with her weakening immortal powers.

🔸 The author Marie Phillips worked as a BBC Radio researcher and bookseller before publishing "Gods Behaving Badly" as her debut novel in 2007. 🔸 The book was adapted into a film in 2013 starring Christopher Walken as Zeus, Sharon Stone as Aphrodite, and Alicia Silverstone as Kate (renamed from Alice). 🔸 Ancient Greek deities were believed to reside on Mount Olympus, which at 9,570 feet is Greece's highest mountain and was considered unreachable by mortals in classical times. 🔸 London, where the novel is set, has deep connections to Greek mythology, with numerous classical references in its architecture, including the British Museum's Greek Revival style and the Athena statue atop the Academy of Arts. 🔸 The concept of gods living in modern times has roots in ancient Greek theater, where playwrights like Aristophanes often portrayed gods in contemporary settings for comedic effect.