
OLYMPIAN NIGHTS - by - JOHN KENDRICK BANGS
ILLUSTRATIONS
OLYMPIAN NIGHTS
I. I Reach Mount Olympus
II. I Seek Shelter and Find It
III. The Elevator Boy
IV. I Summon a Valet
V. The Olympian Links
VI. In the Dining-Room
VII. Æsculapius, M.D.
In this lively tale a weary yet eager explorer sets off for the foot of the famed Mount Olympus, hoping to witness the epic clash between Greeks and Turks that newspaper reports have turned into legend. Guided by the lanky, quick‑witted Hippopopolis, he finds himself trekking through sun‑soaked hills, swapping barbed jokes about gods, calves, and the absurdities of modern bureaucracy. Their banter, peppered with references to Apollo, Jupiter and ancient heroes, creates a charming mix of satire and adventure that feels both timeless and oddly contemporary.
The narrative unfolds as the pair settle for a night under a massive tree, sharing stories and speculating on whether the deities have truly abandoned their lofty perch. From the narrator’s self‑deprecating humor to Hippopopolis’s democratic musings, the first act sets a tone of playful curiosity. Listeners can expect a whimsical journey that blends mythic scenery with witty commentary, inviting them to wander alongside two unlikely companions as they chase the promise of hidden wonders on Olympus.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (172K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Paul Good, Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2006-03-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1862–1922
Best known for witty, imaginative tales that helped inspire what later came to be called "Bangsian fantasy," this American humorist brought the afterlife, satire, and literary playfulness together in a way that still feels fresh. He also built a notable career as an editor and magazine writer during the lively print culture of the late 19th century.
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