Pagan Passions

by Randall Garrett

"Pagan Passions" by Randall Garrett and Laurence M. Janifer is a science fiction novel likely written in the late 1950s. The narrative is set in a world transformed by the return of the ancient Greek and Roman gods who now have a significant impact on everyday life, where individual worshippers engage with deities like Athena and Venus. The story follows William Forrester, an acolyte of Athena and a college history instructor, as he navigates the complexities of desire, temptation, and divine trials while grappling with the responsibilities of a new existence influenced by the gods. The opening portion of the novel introduces William Forrester as he encounters an eager student, Maya Wilson, who expresses her keen interest in him and her desperation to pass his class. Forrester's life becomes increasingly complicated as he is swept into a world filled with divine intrigues, where encounters with both the seductive Maya and knowledgeable deities lead him into a series of trials reminiscent of mythology. Soon, he receives a summons from the Temple Myrmidons, hinting at a special role or instruction from the Pontifex Maximus, plunging him deeper into a conflict between his scholarly duties, his romantic desires, and his place among the gods, all while the story promises mystery and supernatural elements that make for an engaging narrative.