American Gods (American Gods, #1) in WACKY READING CHALLENGES

Oct 05, 2014 Nancy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, still-owned

Neil Gaiman is a truly talented writer. I had heard so much about this book before I started it, including an interview with Gaiman himself, that I had high hopes. I was not disappointed. The depth and complexity of this novel made it a pleasure to read, but it was still a page turner. Shadow is a fantastic hero - he made me think of a flawed Jack Reacher. I loved how he took everything that happened i his stride, calmly and without question - meeting Wednesday and discovering he was a god, the ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 16, 2014 Sassafrass rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, mystery, fantasy, z-src-wi-13-14, z-challenge-books-2014, z-2014, z-2014-audiobook-challenge

Originally posted @ http://sassafrass.booklikes.com/post/...-

Great Epic Adventure!

American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition (A Full Cast Production) [Unabridged] [Audible Audio Edition] - Neil Gaiman
This is a big departure for me. I'm usually into the romance genre, but I listened to this for a challenge over on GR and I'm glad I did. I could have chosen a book closer to what I usually read, but I am interested in books based on mythology after reading the Iron Druid Chronicles books.

So, her ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 14, 2018 Jody rated it it was ok

Shelves: audiobook, guardian-1000, aty-2018-hard-mode, npr-top-100-sci-fi-fantasy, amazon-100-sci-fi-fantasy

Neil Gaiman's knowledge of mythology is prodigious, and his ability to weave it into this epic story is undoubtably incredible.

But.

I just didn't enjoy it. The characters - Gods! - were underwhelming, and Shadow was drab and insipid. The plot was meandering and not particularly interesting. I don't mind so much if a book has less than stellar characters or plot, as long as the other element makes up for it, but sadly this wasn't the case for me with this one.

I can absolutely see why this book is ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 09, 2008 Tien rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, dragons-spotted-in-the-wild

The first audio book I've ever listened to. Whilst it is a very interesting experience I kept falling asleep!

I do love the story, I believe Neil Gaiman is a very good story weaver. A very interesting mixture of mythologies and the modern world. I think I'm going to have to pick up the book one day to enjoy the story properly or at least I have to perfect my listening skill :) ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 20, 2017 *Dawn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2017, favorites, audible-own, fantasy-and-or-magical-realism

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Random House Audio 10-year Anniversary Edition
Author's Preferred Text with Full Cast Narration (Excellent!!)

I've got to say that I really loved this book. So much so that as soon as I finished, I started it up again. I read it twice this month! The first time through gave me the whole story; the second read-through helped me pick up some of the smaller details. The allegorical aspect is still a bit confusing to me, however, so I'm a bit leery to (attempt to) review it American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Random House Audio 10-year Anniversary Edition
Author's Preferred Text with Full Cast Narration (Excellent!!)

I've got to say that I really loved this book. So much so that as soon as I finished, I started it up again. I read it twice this month! The first time through gave me the whole story; the second read-through helped me pick up some of the smaller details. The allegorical aspect is still a bit confusing to me, however, so I'm a bit leery to (attempt to) review it. There are already some really awesome reviews by much smarter people out there. Read those. ;)

The central story follows Shadow Moon, a man just finishing up three years in prison. He's "done his own time" meaning he's stayed out of trouble and has spent his time either working out or practicing his coin tricks, which become important to the story. Three days before his scheduled release, he is let out early due to the fact his wife and best friend were both killed in an auto accident. Everything and everyone he had waiting for him on the outside are now gone. Along comes a strange man, Mr. Wednesday (Odin), who offers him a job as his bodyguard. After some coaxing, he accepts, a deal is made, and Shadow is now bound to serve Wednesday.

Mr. Wednesday happily admits to being a swindler; he is gruff and irascible, and keeps information close to his chest. Shadow is an honorable man, however, despite his past mistakes, and feels loyalty toward him. Strange dreams, occurrences, and even stranger beings surround them now (a leprechaun, the Furies, a succubus called Bilquis) and it comes to light that all the old gods are being brought together for some final fight for survival against the new gods--money, technology, media, etc.

Many of the world's religions, past and present, mythical and traditional, are represented. Some gods that were long-forgotten are now dead, as they need believers in order to survive. There is an idea that as peoples from around the world migrated to America and away from their original homes, some brought their gods with them, but some were lost or are now endangered due to the fickleness of their followers, i.e. faeries and Tuatha De Danann from Ireland, ifrits and al-jinn from Arab cultures, etc.

There are interludes away from the main story where we meet other people and learn their stories. Often they are prefaced with the title, "Somewhere in America". Those stories may be about the best little town in its area, but one in which teenagers seem to run away or go missing every year. One follows a New York City cab driver (with a secret) and his discontented passenger who is new to the country. They strike up a conversation which leads to both of their circumstances changing drastically.

Another is about Shadow's dead-but-now-arisen wife, Laura Moon, as she tries to fit into a normal (albeit nocturnal) life while trying to hide her undead status. As her physical body is quickly deteriorating, we are given humorous glimpses of others' impressions of her, esp. her malodorous scent, which appropriately enough is likened to a strong floral perfume which smells like air freshener masking a smell of decay. In death as in life, she creates problems for Shadow, but she seems to be waiting to fulfill a final recompense for her mistreated husband.

All-in-all it is about a quest Shadow is determined to follow through to the end.

One question I have for others who have read American Gods is this: Is it hinted at that religion, including the belief of the 'Father God' and his Son, Jesus Christ, is supposed to be similar to a two-man grift, using the "misdirection" of a martyr to help people keep their faith? I didn't get the sense that Gaiman was mocking religion, but I didn't know if that was an idea we were to end up with. Can someone clarify? This obviously went to deeper levels than my pea brain can reach. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 16, 2008 Catsalive rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2005

I thought this book was excellent. I really didn't know what to expect, except for some kind of modern fantasy. The mythology was great, but had me stretching my memory. Shadow is a great character - I'd love to meet him. I guess you could call American Gods a contemporary mythological fantasy, or you could just say it was a great book. It remind me a little of The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul . Another person said it reminded him of Marquez' One Hundred Years of Solitude or Castaneda's A S ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 07, 2017 Cecilia rated it liked it

Ok probably a 3.5. I really wanted to like this more. The premise was so cool and I loved the ocean at the end of the lane. I just felt that this got convoluted and too long. I wanted more details about the characters. It just felt like he got a little lost. Regardless, I still like Gaiman

Like · see review