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Rating: 
Summary: Sheer Entertainment
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The most hilarious book I've ever read, period.
Review: In the 1930's, an eccentric inventor/scientist invents a pair of rays that will turn people and animals into stone and back again. He gets drunk to celebrate and runs into a leprechaun who doesn't particularly like the Irish, but loves strong drink. He introduces him to his daughter Meg, who promptly seduces him. Together, they go to New York and bring the Roman Gods back from their stoney imprisonment in the Museum of Art.Gods can not be bothered with foolishness like prohibition or policemen trying to enforce silly laws. But the intervening years have diminished their god-like powers and so the collection of a rich eccentric, a sultry leprechauness, and half a dozen Gods gets into modern trouble. They give as good as they get and after a battle with state police in which arrows, fountain pens, lots of booze, and a wall are featured, the gods and their rescuer/accomplice retire once more into statues. Thorne Smith wrote romantic fantasy. In this, The "Nightlife of the Gods", he demonstrated the best of his imagination and gift for humor. Although this is more obscure than "Topper", it is among his best work and the humor bridges the decades since it was first published effortlessly. The characters are delightful conversationalists and the situations worthy of a new film. Smith mixes humor, whiskey (which was illegal) and sexual situations with his fantasies. He constructs characters and shows his contempt for the hypocacies of his (and our) day with delightful skill. This is a fun read and fully worth pursuing through rare book stores.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as "Topper"
Review: Maybe it isn't fair to compare this to Smith's most popular work, but if I'd read this one first, I don't think I'd have picked up another one. It lacks the charm and innocence of Topper. Hawk is more cynical and world-weary than Cosmo. Nightlife is more daring, yet less effective. It has a mean edge to it that isn't evident in Topper. This book strains for profundity and poignancy, not succeeding until the last page.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as "Topper"
Review: Maybe it isn't fair to compare this to Smith's most popular work, but if I'd read this one first, I don't think I'd have picked up another one. It lacks the charm and innocence of Topper. Hawk is more cynical and world-weary than Cosmo. Nightlife is more daring, yet less effective. It has a mean edge to it that isn't evident in Topper. This book strains for profundity and poignancy, not succeeding until the last page.
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Summary: Statues of the Greek Gods are brought to life.
Review: Read this 50 year ago as a teen-ager. The first book whose reading was interrupted by uncontrolled laughter. Remembered it today reading Ted Hughes new Ovid translations!
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Summary: Greek Gods/Goddesses run amok in New York City!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Touch of Maniacal Genius
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Touch of Maniacal Genius
Review: 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.
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