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Odds and Gods
It's a god's life... ...at the Sunnyvoyde Residential Home for retired deities. Everlasting life can be a real drag when all you've got to look forward to is cauliflower cheese on Wednesdays.
For a start, there's a major techincal problem with the thousand-year-old traction engine which has been lovingly restored by those almighty duffers Thor, Odin and Frey...
the damn thing actually goes.
And then there's Osiris, pushed one tapioca too far by a power-crazy godson with friends in very smelly places, and forced to set out on a quest which will test his wheelchair to the very limits.
Only one thing might save the world from an eternity of chaos ... dentures. It's true.
Honest to god.
For a start, there's a major techincal problem with the thousand-year-old traction engine which has been lovingly restored by those almighty duffers Thor, Odin and Frey...
the damn thing actually goes.
And then there's Osiris, pushed one tapioca too far by a power-crazy godson with friends in very smelly places, and forced to set out on a quest which will test his wheelchair to the very limits.
Only one thing might save the world from an eternity of chaos ... dentures. It's true.
Honest to god.
282 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
27 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Tom Holt
98 books1,176 followersTom Holt (Thomas Charles Louis Holt) is a British novelist.
He was born in London, the son of novelist Hazel Holt, and was educated at Westminster School, Wadham College, Oxford, and The College of Law, London.
Holt's works include mythopoeic novels which parody or take as their theme various aspects of mythology, history or literature and develop them in new and often humorous ways. He has also produced a number of "straight" historical novels writing as Thomas Holt and fantasy novels writing as K.J. Parker.
He was born in London, the son of novelist Hazel Holt, and was educated at Westminster School, Wadham College, Oxford, and The College of Law, London.
Holt's works include mythopoeic novels which parody or take as their theme various aspects of mythology, history or literature and develop them in new and often humorous ways. He has also produced a number of "straight" historical novels writing as Thomas Holt and fantasy novels writing as K.J. Parker.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 10, 2022
I bloody love this book. I think it was the first Tom Holt book I ever read. I have reread it so many times I had to buy a new copy, as the old one fell apart. This is a funny book about what happens when gods get old and faith in them dries up. Love it.
*As an aside. If you like Terry Pratchett you might like Tom Holt. But, then again, you might not. While they are both British comic fantasy writers, you are doing Tom Holt a disservice by comparing him to the late, great Terry Pratchett. Their styles are so incredibly different, I have never seen why people make the comparison, except possibly through laziness. You will enjoy this book a lot more if you just accept it for what it is. Rant over. Enjoy!*
*As an aside. If you like Terry Pratchett you might like Tom Holt. But, then again, you might not. While they are both British comic fantasy writers, you are doing Tom Holt a disservice by comparing him to the late, great Terry Pratchett. Their styles are so incredibly different, I have never seen why people make the comparison, except possibly through laziness. You will enjoy this book a lot more if you just accept it for what it is. Rant over. Enjoy!*
October 8, 2019
My first Tom Holt, after having recently read a shedload of KJ Parker books, the author’s alternative pen name.
I think I understand the difference - the Parker books are serious Fantasy, sometimes with wry humour, but always a marvellous plot expressed in a meandering style. As other GR friends have indicated, Tom Holt has a lighter, simpler, maybe slapstick, humour loosely similar to Terry Pratchett. At least my first Tom Holt book agrees with that summary.
This particular book required a little perseverance on my part to get into, but it was largely due to my own expectations and prejudices. Its theme is based on ancient gods from across many world mythologies having retired to a heavenly Old Folks/retirement home, of a distressingly modern, suffocatingly dull variety. For a few pages I was unsure about the scenario as it seemed to me a cheap trick for laughs, putting gods into an everyday mundane situation like this. On top of this gods like Thor and Odin are shown as geeky engineer hobbyists, tied to an old traction engine, and Osiris is a grumpy old git, in a wheelchair. But the more I read the more I went with the idea and ended up enjoying it.
It is light. But it’s packed full of witticisms. I’m sure there are some serious statements about life and universe in there but the real intention is undoubtedly to give you some laughs, and, rare for me, I did actually laugh out at some phrasings used. It’s very ‘British’ in its observational humour which may be an issue for non-UK readers. For example, a lot of disgruntlement in the retirement home is caused by meals based on food staples of a previous generation at state schools, or other state institutions, as far as I know, where healthy food on a tight budget is required. There’s also some UK geography and little known towns to be navigated. But I think that’s the same with Sir Terry as well, so you may just have to google the odd mysterious tinned food...
In the end, I enjoyed it. As with the Parker books it was as much, or more in this case, about the journey as about the overall plot. Clever remarks and observations about modern life and the human condition (also apparent that Tom Holt clearly doesn’t like lawyers!) superimposed on a light jaunt around and outside the modern world. The book’s ending is no more than a tidying up of some loose ends when the jaunt has run its course. It’s encouraged me to read more Tom Holt when I need a cheerful, fun read.
I think I understand the difference - the Parker books are serious Fantasy, sometimes with wry humour, but always a marvellous plot expressed in a meandering style. As other GR friends have indicated, Tom Holt has a lighter, simpler, maybe slapstick, humour loosely similar to Terry Pratchett. At least my first Tom Holt book agrees with that summary.
This particular book required a little perseverance on my part to get into, but it was largely due to my own expectations and prejudices. Its theme is based on ancient gods from across many world mythologies having retired to a heavenly Old Folks/retirement home, of a distressingly modern, suffocatingly dull variety. For a few pages I was unsure about the scenario as it seemed to me a cheap trick for laughs, putting gods into an everyday mundane situation like this. On top of this gods like Thor and Odin are shown as geeky engineer hobbyists, tied to an old traction engine, and Osiris is a grumpy old git, in a wheelchair. But the more I read the more I went with the idea and ended up enjoying it.
It is light. But it’s packed full of witticisms. I’m sure there are some serious statements about life and universe in there but the real intention is undoubtedly to give you some laughs, and, rare for me, I did actually laugh out at some phrasings used. It’s very ‘British’ in its observational humour which may be an issue for non-UK readers. For example, a lot of disgruntlement in the retirement home is caused by meals based on food staples of a previous generation at state schools, or other state institutions, as far as I know, where healthy food on a tight budget is required. There’s also some UK geography and little known towns to be navigated. But I think that’s the same with Sir Terry as well, so you may just have to google the odd mysterious tinned food...
In the end, I enjoyed it. As with the Parker books it was as much, or more in this case, about the journey as about the overall plot. Clever remarks and observations about modern life and the human condition (also apparent that Tom Holt clearly doesn’t like lawyers!) superimposed on a light jaunt around and outside the modern world. The book’s ending is no more than a tidying up of some loose ends when the jaunt has run its course. It’s encouraged me to read more Tom Holt when I need a cheerful, fun read.
June 17, 2022
The gods of the world end up at a residential care facility for retired deities.
December 16, 2011
I read this book a few years ago, and all I remember about it is that it was so original and SO funny - I laughed myself silly. Really enjoyed it
May 27, 2019
Picked this up in a charity shop, took a punt. Enjoyable enough, gentle comic novel about god's stuck in an old people's home, that turns in to an adventure quest. Feels very much of its time, with use of language (a couple of light racial epithets that you would not likely use today, as well some old school swearing like 'pillock') of the mid 90s.
I found it a little hard to follow at times, and disjointed. But still, a nice fun concept well realised for the most part.
I found it a little hard to follow at times, and disjointed. But still, a nice fun concept well realised for the most part.
Read
July 12, 2020Not my first Holt. but definitely my last
September 13, 2022
Not sure why, but not as enjoyable as the last couple of Holt books.
February 5, 2024
3,5 stars
I'll be reading more of Tom Holt's books, that's for sure.
I'll be reading more of Tom Holt's books, that's for sure.
June 27, 2016
It's good.. not great but good.
I have had this book in my collection and on my 'to read next' pile for what seems like forever and everytime I picked it up I was never quite sure so I put it back down. This time I fancied something different and gave it a go. The premise is interesting, with the old gods from throughout history having retired to a nursing home. They're all here, Roman, Greek, South American, the full pantheon of Gods have representatives here both real (Odin, Thor etc) and imaginary (Ohinohawoniponama). As with all Gods, their powers have faded with age and a reduction of followers. I guess it's hard to retain your powers with the reduction in the sacrifice of virgins in the modern world. Into this story comes Osiris retired Egyptian Sun God and owner of the Sunnyvoyde Residential Home for Retired Deities and his godson Julian. Now Julian is a lawyer who has decided that he deserves to rule the world after finding a way to get rid of Osiris
What follows is a sometimes hilarious, sometimes mildly amusing, sometime OK tale. I chuckled out loud at some of brilliant dialogue, so much so that whist reading this on the bus on the way to work one morning, the woman sat next to me got up and moved seats. I'm guessing she thought I was the nutter on the bus your mother warned you about, but the book made me do it..honest. The problem I found was that I felt it was a little unevenly paced with some hilarious parts and some that didn't really hold my attention. There is certainly enough here to make me want to read more Tom Holt, the story was inventive, the characters in general were strong and the dialogue especially between Odin, Thor and Frey is largely delightful. The book probably deserves three and a half stars but as you can't give half stars and it just wasn't quite good enough to lift it into the four star rating then it has to make do with the three stars.
If you haven't read any Tom Holt (and this was my first) I would recommend you give it a go
I have had this book in my collection and on my 'to read next' pile for what seems like forever and everytime I picked it up I was never quite sure so I put it back down. This time I fancied something different and gave it a go. The premise is interesting, with the old gods from throughout history having retired to a nursing home. They're all here, Roman, Greek, South American, the full pantheon of Gods have representatives here both real (Odin, Thor etc) and imaginary (Ohinohawoniponama). As with all Gods, their powers have faded with age and a reduction of followers. I guess it's hard to retain your powers with the reduction in the sacrifice of virgins in the modern world. Into this story comes Osiris retired Egyptian Sun God and owner of the Sunnyvoyde Residential Home for Retired Deities and his godson Julian. Now Julian is a lawyer who has decided that he deserves to rule the world after finding a way to get rid of Osiris
What follows is a sometimes hilarious, sometimes mildly amusing, sometime OK tale. I chuckled out loud at some of brilliant dialogue, so much so that whist reading this on the bus on the way to work one morning, the woman sat next to me got up and moved seats. I'm guessing she thought I was the nutter on the bus your mother warned you about, but the book made me do it..honest. The problem I found was that I felt it was a little unevenly paced with some hilarious parts and some that didn't really hold my attention. There is certainly enough here to make me want to read more Tom Holt, the story was inventive, the characters in general were strong and the dialogue especially between Odin, Thor and Frey is largely delightful. The book probably deserves three and a half stars but as you can't give half stars and it just wasn't quite good enough to lift it into the four star rating then it has to make do with the three stars.
If you haven't read any Tom Holt (and this was my first) I would recommend you give it a go
April 15, 2012
Here's a synopsis from fantastic fiction: Wagner got it wrong. The twilight of the gods isn't that cataclysmic. After all, there's a comfy chair, a warm fire and three meals a day at the Sunnyvoyde Residential Home. Passing the time with Aphrodite, who's still quite sprighty with the aid of her Zimmer frame, isn't heaven - but it's close. ## This is same as Product Description amazon.co.uk) which adds: From the Back Cover: In Sunnyvoyde Residential Home the gods pass their days of retirement in quarrelling and generally getting on each other's nerves. Then one day Osiris, Sunnyvoyde's proprietor, discovers that his godson Julian is plotting to take over the world by having him certified. Forced to flee, Osiris seeks refuge in Wolverhampton at the home of his nurse, Sandra, and turns for help to his old friend Pan. (paragraph) As if that wasn't enough, a group of Sunnyvoyde residents are at large on a flying traction engine… --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. There are 45 used from £0.01 at AmazUK, which only means there seem to be enough copies wherever Orbit UK pb are sold to make looking for one worthwhile. I found mine at the St.Vincent thrift store in Springfield because the local StV director has been getting goods from England these past few years, otherwise I would not expect to see much Tom Holt around these parts. I much admire and enjoy Holt's use of language, his attention to detail, and his inclusion of so many diverse elements. His plots emerge as you get to know the characters, so the reader is required to trust at the beginning and keep reading, this will all make some sort of sense before it's over. Tom Holt has a wicked sense of humor which does not rely on a lack of compassion, though there are antagonists for which we will be less inclined to pity. As readable and enjoyable as any of the other 10 novels by Tom Holt I've read so far. Springfield, OR Sunday, 15 Arpil, 2015 =30=
January 17, 2016
Most of the old gods have retired and gone to live in Sunnyvoyde, a nursing home run by a strict matron called Mrs. Henderson. Aside from the terrible food, the main problem here is that Julian Magus, a lawyer and descendant of Osiris, is trying to get his divine ancestor declared legally insane so that he can take control of the world. Yeah, if you're going to read Holt, get used to a LOT of lawyer and investment jokes. I understand Holt studied at the College of Law, so he probably knows what he's talking about. Gods from many different pantheons make appearances, but the Egyptian, Greco-Roman, and Norse have the largest roles. While Osiris teams up with Pan, Kurt Lundqvist (told you he'd be back), a sympathetic nurse, and her boyfriend to try to thwart his descendant, Odin, Thor, and Frey are busy restoring and then trying to drive a flying motorcycle. Odin doesn't appear to be the same character he was in Expecting Someone Taller or Grailblazers. Since Holt often seems to have ordinary humans having to outmaneuver nasty gods, it's interesting that here the gods are the good guys, even if they're a bit incompetent after so many centuries out of work.
July 28, 2013
A typical Tom Holt novel with bizarre characters and a mind-boggling plot full of many turns and twists.
The story concerns old gods living in a retirement home run by the formidable Mrs. Henderson. All the gods admit they are terrified of her.
Osiris owns the retirement home and the universe but his godson, a lawyer, is trying to take over. Osiris sneaks out of the home, links up with Pan and they try to thwart the lawyer's plans. Meanwhile, Odin and Thor fix up an old steam engine (when Mrs Henderson isn't looking) to replace their broken down sun chariot. They get it working (and flying) but Odin is a terrible navigator and he and Thor are always lost. Further, the engine keeps crashing into the other plot giving that story a Deus ex Machina flavor.
The novel also marks the return of Kurt Lindqvist, an ace assassin who specializes in whacking gods. In addition, there is a scene involving a Vatican assault squad of monks armed with holy water cannons.
All in all an amusing and satisfying book.
The story concerns old gods living in a retirement home run by the formidable Mrs. Henderson. All the gods admit they are terrified of her.
Osiris owns the retirement home and the universe but his godson, a lawyer, is trying to take over. Osiris sneaks out of the home, links up with Pan and they try to thwart the lawyer's plans. Meanwhile, Odin and Thor fix up an old steam engine (when Mrs Henderson isn't looking) to replace their broken down sun chariot. They get it working (and flying) but Odin is a terrible navigator and he and Thor are always lost. Further, the engine keeps crashing into the other plot giving that story a Deus ex Machina flavor.
The novel also marks the return of Kurt Lindqvist, an ace assassin who specializes in whacking gods. In addition, there is a scene involving a Vatican assault squad of monks armed with holy water cannons.
All in all an amusing and satisfying book.
May 31, 2016
Having read a number of Tom Holt's books in the past, and having just finished Neil Gaiman's American Gods, I thought it about time to delve into Holt's take on elderly dieties.
As with most Holt books, the story does jump about a bit, and the subplots tend to have no real reason (other than the odd remote interaction) but in Odds and Gods, everything is written with a clear and distinct purpose. Setting Osiris, Pan, Thor, Odin and Frey as stereotypical "codgers" is a great touch, and immediately instills a sympathy for their plight - being locked in a semi-tyrannical retirement home called Sunnyvoyde.
The story follows their attempts to return to a shadow of their former glory, breaking free from the shackles they find themselves in, and they come across plenty of mischief along the way - including lawyers, dragons, and mouthwash.
All in all this is a fast paced read, and a must for Holt fans. It may not be his finest work, but is a good story well told, and is worth investing time in reading.
As with most Holt books, the story does jump about a bit, and the subplots tend to have no real reason (other than the odd remote interaction) but in Odds and Gods, everything is written with a clear and distinct purpose. Setting Osiris, Pan, Thor, Odin and Frey as stereotypical "codgers" is a great touch, and immediately instills a sympathy for their plight - being locked in a semi-tyrannical retirement home called Sunnyvoyde.
The story follows their attempts to return to a shadow of their former glory, breaking free from the shackles they find themselves in, and they come across plenty of mischief along the way - including lawyers, dragons, and mouthwash.
All in all this is a fast paced read, and a must for Holt fans. It may not be his finest work, but is a good story well told, and is worth investing time in reading.
November 13, 2012
The set-up of this book is quite intriguing. As Gods retire they live in a retirement home together. I'm not sure exactly where I'd have taken it, but it wouldn't have been the same place that Holt did. Which doesn't make what he did bad...but it was only moderately successful. We end up with two concurrent storylines. One involves a reasonably typical "quest" line that happens to involve a couple of retired Gods (Osiris and Pan). The other involves...well not much of anything except some antics by Thor, Odin and Frey in repairing and flying a traction engine. It's necessary for the ultimate Deus ex Machina, but it's not compelling.
There are things to like here, but ultimately the total is less than the sum of the parts. And some of the parts aren't that spiffy.
Hot has been very hit and miss. This was a miss.
There are things to like here, but ultimately the total is less than the sum of the parts. And some of the parts aren't that spiffy.
Hot has been very hit and miss. This was a miss.
January 14, 2015
I enjoyed it. It is quite humourous. There are many places where he takes a swipe at contemporary society, and you stop to chuckle. Plus, Holt does have a way with words - often you will come across an unusual, but very apt turn of phrase that calls for you to read it aloud, annoying the person sitting quietly next to you. I must admit I lost the thread of the plot a few times, but it all works out in the end. Good stuff, and it's interesting to see Holt in his earlier days. This book is from 1995.
July 25, 2012
What I hear about everyone concerning this book is a little true; The ending isn't as powerful by far as the rest of the book. But it did not really leave me hanging completely. It was just not the clash you expect it to be, but the fading out of the story, gently, easy-going. Just like Osiris has been the entire book. You cannot really expect these oldtimers to take it outside and have a good brawl on the streets, and then this book is pretty damn funny!
August 5, 2011
Found this book in a bookstore with the comment from the staff: "If Terry Pratchett could write, he'd be ... Tom Holt". Well, I'll personally stick with Terry Pratchett. This story, could have had a lot more done with it and didn't read to well for me. Maybe I just didn't pick the right Holt book to start with.
March 18, 2013
Enjoyable enough, but not particularly funny. Not as good as I remember Tom Holt books being, but I haven't read one in a long time.
July 31, 2013
Somehow didnt enjoy it as I would a Holt... some lovely jokes and a good premise but somehow the whole is not a properly-integrated sum of the excellent parts
December 2, 2015
Love the concept. Probably more entertaining if I knew more about mythology. Many things were over my head, but the writing was still quick and witty. Dragged on, though.
January 24, 2017
Meh. I'm starting to think Holt writes too much like Douglas Adams for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews