The Thorne Smith Reader: Nine Novels by Thorne SmithThis collection includes some of Thorne Smith's greatest works    Topper: The Jovial Ghosts (1926)    The Stray Lamb (1929)    Turnabout (1931)    The Night Life of the Gods (1931)    Topper Takes a Trip (1932)    The Bishop's Jaegers (1932)    Rain in the Doorway (1933)    Skin and Bones (1933)    The Glorious Pool (1934)Thorne Smith was a fantastic fantasy fiction writer who sold millions of paperbacks in the early twentieth century. He wa...

One of Thorne Smith's better outings. When a scientist pairs up with a witch with the ability to bring statues to life, chaos ensues. The two decide it would be a good idea to bring the statues of the gods at the Metropolitan Museum to life. But the gods, it turns out, are too human by half -- they immediately start to cavort, bicker, drink, and carry on in a spree of epic proportions.

This early work by Thorne Smith was originally published in 1942 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'The Passionate Witch' was James Thorne Smith Jr.'s last novel and was left unfinished at the time of his death in 1934, it was finally finished by Norman Matson. Mr. T. Wallace Wooly is a rich, sober, upstanding member of the community who lives a calm, frugal life after the death of his wife. This comfortable existence is ruined by a meeting with Jennif...

In 'The Night Life of the Gods,' Thorne Smith weaves a fantastical narrative infused with humor and clever social satire. The novel chronicles the escapades of a group of mischievous deities who descend from Mount Olympus to experience the pleasures and vices of 1920s New York City. Smith's literary style is marked by a playful use of language, whimsical dialogue, and a structure that lends itself to both farce and philosophical musing on the nature of humanity. This book stands as a signi...

Biltmore Oswald: The Diary of a Hapless Recruit (1918). A series of comic stories written for the Naval Reserve journal The Broadside while Smith was in the Navy.

One of Thorne Smith’s most popular books and made into a film. Topper is about a respectable banker called Cosmo Topper, married to a depressingly staid wife Mary, and his misadventures with a couple of ghosts, Marion and George Kerby, who introduce him to other ghosts. He is romantically attracted to Marion, who at one point tries to kill him so that they can always be together. Unusually, Mary is treated sympathetically—she does not like what she has become and tries to change.

The beloved characters—mortal and immortal—of Topper return in this uproarious romp through the south of France. One of Thorne Smith’s best-loved comedies, it proves once again that he is the undisputed master of urbane wit and sophisticated repartee.

Topper Thorne Smith - Thorne Smith's hilarious and ribald comedy about boring and staid bank manager Cosmo Topper who decides to buy a flashy car only to discover it is haunted by its previous owners, George and Marion Kerby. George's and Marion's mischievous spirits (and a few other ghostly friends and an irresistible dog) make it their mission to lead the respectable Topper astray and give him a fresh outlook on life. Liquor flows, pranks are common, and although not always willing, Geor...

Rebecca works hard to maintain a perfect life for her family. She keeps a pristine house and follows every one of her mother-in-law's rules to live by, such as always putting her husband's needs above her own and avoiding tight leggings-or, as Charlotte refers to them-lady parts pants. But even Rebecca's well-tailored slacks can't protect her when Paul comes home and announces that he's fallen in love with another woman. Shocked and devastated, she turns to the funny, authentic women of Yo...

Thorne Smith's rapid-fire dialogue, brilliant sense of the absurd, and literary aplomb put him in the same category as the beloved P. G. Wodehouse. The Night Life of the Gods, the madcap story of a scientist who instigates a nocturnal spree with the Greek gods, is arguably his most sparkling comedic achievement.Hunter Hawk has a knack for annoying his ultra respectable relatives. He likes to experiment and he particularly likes to experiment with explosives. His garage-cum-laboratory is a ...

Sally Willows envied her adman husband his glamorous work; Tim Willows felt Sally lived in ease and luxury while he was sweating to pay the bills. So an ill-tempered minor god, tired of their bickering, worked a modest miracle... Sally Willows, now occupying her husband’s body, experienced the full horrors of the Nationwide Advertising Agency, while Tim, now outwardly Sally, dealt with the amourous advances of a local Lothario. It was a toss-up whether Sally/Tim’s well-earned dismissal or ...

The novel likely follows the misadventures of the titular character, Biltmore Oswald, as he navigates various humorous situations and eccentric characters. Oswald is often portrayed as a bumbling and hapless protagonist who finds himself in absurd and comical predicaments.Thorne Smith's writing style in "Biltmore Oswald" is characterized by its irreverent humor, witty dialogue, and imaginative scenarios. Through Oswald's escapades, Smith may satirize various aspects of society and poke fun...