9780670873012

The God of Impertinence: A Novel

Sten Nadolny; Breon Mitchell

ISBN 10: 0670873012 / 0-670-87301-2
ISBN 13: 9780670873012
Publisher: Viking Pr
Publication Date: 1997
Binding: Hardcover
Editorial Reviews:
Synopsis:

The naked, charcoal-colored man with red hair who steals the flag from the police station in Greece on a sunny Spring day obviously isn't ordinary; indeed, it could be said--and it would be true--that he is, well, extraordinary. He is none other than Hermes, god of stolen kisses, insolence, erotic freedom, turmoil, sleep, thievery, and messenger to the gods. Hermes is looking for adventure and love, preferably the physical kind. He has been liberated to enchant, to save the world from the corruption of crass cynicism and to resurrect virtues of mischief, curiosity, imagination, and daring...and to fall in love.Unsurprisingly, Hermes' new world seems very, very weird to him--after all, he was kept in chains in a volcanic crater for 2,187 years. Meanwhile, Zeus has been disempowered and escapes to America--where he plays rounds of golf in Missouri--after his wife, Hera, discovers haute couture. Hephaestus, that degenerate, neurotic god of volcanoes, is now "the chief." He has advanced from commander of human technology and lord of a world driven by computers. Even Ares, the god of war, is subservient to Hephaestus.Even though Hermes finds himself in a strange and confusing age, unsure of why he was freed, this emblem of piratical daring crisscrosses the world in amazement, chasing...who else but a light-skinned beauty. His travels lead him from Europe to Athens (Georgia), to Sparta (Illinois) and, yes, above and beyond human boundaries. On his odyssey, tapping the minds and "having the ear" of brain specialists, rappers, graffiti artist, Hermes realizes that he must supercharge those qualities of impertinence and roguery with godlike impetus. It is the only way he himself can survive. To do so, however, he first has to lead Hephaestus back into the fold of the family...or defeat him...or both.This swift and witty narrative will be a hit among lively spirits wherever they are found. Sten Nadolny uses myths--and the disguises they may take--like a pair of good glasses to explore our modern culture. THE GOD OF IMPERTINENCE is an amusing, divine comedy for the nineties, and Hermes a confident critic for our time.


Review:

"A blithe, inventive fable about the lives of the old Greek and Roman gods in the modern world that also takes some sardonic jabs at contemporary obsessions....Nadolny...manages to keep the narrative swift, lively, and witty in an unforced way."

Kirkus, 06/01/1997

Review:

"...Nadolny's spoof of modern civilization doesn't take itself too seriously, and we shouldn't either....Think of it as post-modernist beach reading."

Bill Christophersen, New York Times Book Review, 09/07/1997

 
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1. The God of Impertinence: A Novel (ISBN: 0670873012 / 0-670-87301-2)
Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
ISBN 10: 0670873012
ISBN 13: 9780670873012
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Book Description: Viking Pr, 1997. Book Condition: VERY GOOD. Very Good Some wear on book from reading, we guarantee all purchases and ship all items via USPS mail. Bookseller Inventory # 29980907

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2. The God of Impertinence: A Novel (ISBN: 0670873012 / 0-670-87301-2)
Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
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ISBN 13: 9780670873012
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3. God of Impertinence (ISBN: 0670873012 / 0-670-87301-2)
Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
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Book Description: Viking Adult 1997, 1997. A former library book with the usual identifiers in a protective glossy dust jacket covering. Dust Jacket has some edgewear present. - Hard Cover, Very Good / Very Good. Bookseller Inventory # 51B17A2425944BW

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4. The God of Impertinence: A Novel (ISBN: 0670873012 / 0-670-87301-2)
Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
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5. The God of Impertinence: A Novel (ISBN: 9780670873012)
Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
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7. The God of Impertinence: A Novel (ISBN: 0670873012 / 0-670-87301-2)
Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
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8. The God of Impertinence: A Novel (ISBN: 0670873012 / 0-670-87301-2)
Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
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Book Description: Viking Pr, 1997. Book Condition: VERY GOOD. Read once or twice. We ship daily via USPS and guarantee all purchases. Buy with the best!. Bookseller Inventory # 13857983

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Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
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Book Description: Viking Pr, 1997. Book Condition: Very Good. Nice condition with minor indications of previous handling. Book selection as BIG as Texas. Bookseller Inventory # G0670873012I4N00

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Nadolny, Sten;Mitchell, Breon
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Book Description: Viking Pr, 1997. Book Condition: Very Good. Light wear to edges and pages. Cover and spine show no easily noticeable damage. In stock. Best service guaranteed. Bookseller Inventory # G0670873012I4N00

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