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If you’re looking for a silly, humorous depiction of what might happen if the Greek gods arrived in 21st-century Britain, Who Let the Gods Out? could be the book for you.
Maz Evans is a clever, funny writer. There’s a joke on almost every page, and her take on the ancient Greek myths is something of a pantomime.
What it’s about
Elliott Hooper is a 12-year-old schoolboy. Virgo is a 1,964-year-old constellation. An accident brings them together, and they unwittingly free Thanatos, the Daemon of Death, from his eternal prison underneath Stonehenge.
Things get even more ridiculous when they enlist the help of ancient Greek gods such as Zeus, Hermes, Aphrodite and Athene, all presented as amusing (and harmless) caricatures.
Sitting behind all this is a story about Elliott’s efforts to protect his mother, who seems to be suffering from some kind of dementia. But the main focus is the gods and the scrapes they get up to.
What I liked best about Who Let the Gods Out?
- It’s a funny, mostly harmless take on the ancient Greek myths. The original stories can be pretty brutal, but Maz Evans gets around this by leaving out the most gruesome elements and presenting what’s left in a funny, almost cartoon-ish way. For example: in this book, Zeus is a loveable rogue who certainly likes the ladies, but is in no way dangerous.
- Virgo’s efforts to blend in with the humans is very funny. I enjoyed the scenes with Virgo and Elliott the most. Virgo tries to make sense of human customs, but ends up highlighting how absurd many of them are.
- At its heart is a story about a boy’s love for his mother. Perhaps this book goes for laughs more than tears, but the underlying story about Elliott and his mum is moving nonetheless. I get the feeling this will develop as the series goes on.
Who would like Who Let the Gods Out?
It isn’t suitable for very young readers. Even in this lighthearted portrayal of the Greek gods, depictions of death, infidelity and (slapstick) violence abound.
There are also a few slightly dubious details, like Sisyphus having a speech impediment (for humorous effect). The author also makes fun out of a fat teacher. If this sort of thing rings alarm bells, it may be best to steer clear.
You could still enjoy this book without knowing the myths that inspired it. But it may appeal most to readers who already know and enjoy the Greek myths. My son first read it when he was 8, and loved it. He’s 10 now, and still enjoys it. I’d suggest 8 to 12 as a suitable age range.
In summary
It’s the humour, rather than the story, that makes this book worth reading. It often slips into caricature, and there isn’t quite enough of the real story (Elliott and his mother) for my liking. But nevertheless it’s an enjoyable performance, celebrating and re-inventing the ancient Greek gods.
Next step
You can buy Who Let the Gods Out? on Amazon.