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Bill Kerwin's Reviews > American Gods
American Gods (American Gods, #1)
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In this unique love letter to the United States, Gaiman manages to celebrate its underground spiritual traditions, glory in the magnificence of its landmarks, landscapes, and bizarre tourist traps, and--most important--both mourn and venerate its pagan (often immigrant) gods in decline, battered and diminished though they may be by the shallowness and speed of our technological world. The gods are indeed the best part of this very good book: degenerate and threadbare, yet still gods, capable of inspiring both allegiance and terror.
Gaiman loves not only fantasy, but also mystery and horror, and here he has constructed a book which fulfills the genre requirements of all. The plot is complicated and crammed with marvels: the beginning promises pleasures and horrors, the middle disturbs the balance, and the ending surprises and yet satisfies.
by
In this unique love letter to the United States, Gaiman manages to celebrate its underground spiritual traditions, glory in the magnificence of its landmarks, landscapes, and bizarre tourist traps, and--most important--both mourn and venerate its pagan (often immigrant) gods in decline, battered and diminished though they may be by the shallowness and speed of our technological world. The gods are indeed the best part of this very good book: degenerate and threadbare, yet still gods, capable of inspiring both allegiance and terror.
Gaiman loves not only fantasy, but also mystery and horror, and here he has constructed a book which fulfills the genre requirements of all. The plot is complicated and crammed with marvels: the beginning promises pleasures and horrors, the middle disturbs the balance, and the ending surprises and yet satisfies.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
November 10, 2012
– Shelved
November 10, 2012
– Shelved as:
weird-fiction
November 10, 2012
– Shelved as:
fantasy
November 10, 2012
–
Finished Reading
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Bill
(last edited Jan 07, 2013 04:39AM)
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rated it 5 stars
Jan 07, 2013 04:39AM
I read the original published version. Perhaps I was lucky. I've discovered 'director's cut' versions of movies are usually a bad idea too.
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I had the 10 yr anniversary edition and loved every second of it...
This book is very high on my reread list. I love everything Gaimen writes. Thank you for reminding me how terrific this book is.
I read the original when it came out and can't believe it's been so long ago. I then read the "author's preferred text" in 2005 and again the 10th anniversary edition in 2011. I agree with Jeremy about the differences, though I'm not sure if the 2005 and 2011 editions were much different. It's been too long. In any case this is a favorite book which I hope to read again. You give a good and brief review, Bill. I've yet had the courage to review it.
I loved this book. Reading "good omens" now. It's so rare that I read something that is both unique and good, but gaiman has that touch.
Try the Ocean at the End of the Lane too. He might have created an entirely new fairy tale.
I loved this book as I love all of Gaiman's work. Your wonderful review has pushed up higher on my reread list.
"the middle disturbs the balance"
The first book I read by Neil Gaiman. It made me a fan. I wish he wrote more novels. I hear he is working on one.
Paul wrote: "Bill, this was my favorite Gaiman!"Judy wrote: "The first book I read by Neil Gaiman. It made me a fan. I wish he wrote more novels."
This is my only Gaiman. Any others you could suggest that are close to this good!
Coraline. Anansi Boys. The Graveyard Book. Neverwhere.
Judy wrote: "Coraline. Anansi Boys. The Graveyard Book. Neverwhere."Thanks!
This was my first Neil Gaiman book, and I was completely and utterly smitten. I hear he may be writing a sequel. "The Graveyard Book" was magnificent as well.
I agree with Leslie: Ocean at the End of the Lane. :)
I thought Anansi Boys was a sequel (or at least set in the same universe)
This is one of those books I got because everyone kept telling me how great it was, but I have yet to crack it open. Maybe that will change.
I found this one hard to get into & didn't finish it, but I really like Neil Gaiman's other books. My favorites are Good Omens, the Sandman comics, and Mr. Punch, but I also like Anansi Boys, Stardust, Coraline, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
I had this one on audio and no problem with it! Except one of the jokes it took me a long time to get...
I am looking forward to the movie!
Really struggling to keep reading this book, over half way through but still not hooked :(
Read it, love it and now waiting for the tv show!
This was one where I enjoyed the journey far more than the destination. I felt like he failed to stick the landing at books end - found the climax to be rushed and not worthy of the build up, and the coda afterwards to be discordant. Still enjoyed the book, but the final few chapters were the difference between my giving it five stars and the three that I actually rated it.
Thanks for this review. I really enjoyed it and have debated whether reread it. Anansi Boys is excellent as well. I listened to a superb audio book of it narrated by Lenny Henry. Just amazing.
I'm so happy you liked it!
Read and enjoyed it some time ago. The first episode is currently airing on STARZ and is faithful to the book. Recently purchased Gaiman's new mythology book that I read before giving it to my granddaughter. I highly recommend it if you're a fan of Odin, Thor, and Loki, or if you are going to Norway.
Thank you for the review! Is this the same as the Amazon TV series with Ian McShane?
I NEED!!! To read this book!
William wrote: "Thank you for the review! Is this the same as the Amazon TV series with Ian McShane?"Yes.
Sounds an interesting book, great review Bill 😊
Sadly I know some people who say this book is not worth reading, and to each his own, but I thought it was great.
A love letter to the United States - interesting summation. Maybe because I'm a Brit, I saw it more as affectionate teasing. Such a great concept.
Good review Bill. I must get around to reading American Gods.
I am halfway through the book and I don't find horror
I didnt’ love the book, but like you review!
