American Gods

Daki · Post by **Daki** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 10:27 pm

Has anyone here read Neil Gaiman's latest novel, "American Gods"?

The library was out of all copies when I was there and I just wanted to see how it compares to Gaiman's other works. Granted, I don't think he could ever touch his short stories but I've enjoyed some of his other novels.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 10:32 pm

To my knowledge, I am the only person on the planet that dislikes it.

That being said: Avoid it. It sucks!

[I can't explain why without ruining some plot points and the overall tone of the book.]

The Traveler · Post by **The Traveler** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 11:15 pm

Bah. Don't trust Adam, he hates anime!

Anyhoo, I have read and enjoyed it. His previous book was a bit of a letdown, but he brought his A-game to this one.

DrunkenMaster · Post by **DrunkenMaster** » Mon Dec 09, 2002 11:33 pm

I read it and enjoyed it, though the ending went over like a wet fart. I really liked the concept and I really enjoy mythology. But, take it into account that I had been reading economic and financial texts for the entire year up to the point of me reading American Gods. I'd be extolling the praises of Star Trek porno fan-fics if that was what I had read first.

Memory · Post by **Memory** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 9:28 pm

Yes I've read American Gods. I liked it, granted I like nearly everything I've read by Neil Gaiman, but still...

What got me was that scenes from the book still float through my mind from time to time.

Coraline is also good if short, its a children's book after all, it only took me 1-2 hours to read.

Memory

EvanMoore · Post by **EvanMoore** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 9:35 pm

Care to provide a synopsis of the story? Is this fiction or non-fiction?

Your posts have made me curious about it...

Evan

Memory · Post by **Memory** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 10:42 pm

Synopsis (Without spoilers)

Gaiman combines:
- An American Road Trip
- The Norse Pantheon
- Con-Artistry
- And the odd murder or two

Yes it's fiction it's also IMNSHO Very good.

Oh and the hard back had a guarantee: "Better than Stephen King or your money back."... all depends how much you like King.

Please note that Gaiman and King are not really comparable they write in different ways (At least from what I've read of King)

How much have you read of Gaiman?

I'd recommend Smoke and Mirrors as a better starting point but others disagree.

I'll type out the back cover of the book, I just have to wander downstairs and get it.

Memory · Post by **Memory** » Tue Dec 10, 2002 10:56 pm

I'm back...

From the book...

After three years in prison Shadow has done his time. but as the days, then the hours, then the minutes until his release tick away, he can sense something is about to go very wrong indeed. Two days before he is due to get out, his wife Laura dies in a mysterious car crash, apparently in adulterous circumstances. Dazed Shadow makes his way back home, only to encounter en route the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday, who claims to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America.

Together they embark on a profoundly strange journey across the heart of the USA, along the way solving the murders which have occurred every winter in one small town and meeting a cast of weirdly familiar characters flung together by the shared sense of impending doom. All around them a storm of preternatural and epic proportions threatens to break. And Shadow is being pursued doggedly by someone with whom hew must somehow make his peace.

Scary, gripping and deeply unsettling, American Gods takes a long hard look into the soul of America. You'll be surprised by what - and who - it finds there...

Hope it helps. More people should read Gaiman.

Memory

Daki · Post by **Daki** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 2:47 pm

I would suggest starting with some of his comic work or short stories. They give a very nice insight to how he writes. My personal favorite is his 100-word story about Santa Claus.

Memory · Post by **Memory** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 3:45 pm

Daki: You mean Nicholas Was..

The enitire story is here half way down the page. Also info on American Gods can be found here.

"Ho.

Ho.

Ho."

Memory

(Edit: Fixed links)

Daki · Post by **Daki** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 3:52 pm

You get a cookie Memory. That's the one.

Reika · Post by **Reika** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 9:26 pm

American Gods wasn't bad, but after that and Neverwhere, I don't think I'll be inclined to get anymore of his books. His style just didn't catch my attention all that much.

Patience · Post by **Patience** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 8:55 am

I enjoyed the book. The main character had many and sundry interactions that left me giggling and sighing at turns. But the ending was disappointing, I agree.