Rating: 
Summary: Torture
Review: I don't get it. After reading and re-reading Neverwhere(one of my all time favorites) I anxiously looked forward to Gods. What a disappointment. I forced myself to finish it, figuring it would soon pick up a bit. Never did. Too cute, too convoluted, basically unreadable. Can't wait to get to something more interesting (although The Pennysaver would be) after wasting 2 weeks.
Rating: 
Summary: tape is too heavy, but the printed version is great
Review: I had the unabridged audio cassette version of _American
Gods_ out from the public library. It's very well done
(except for the female voices, which would be better in
the male reader's own voice instead of the silly falsetto
he uses), but it was too intense for me, listening at
read-aloud speed to a grim-sounding voice. I had to
return the tape and wait until I could acquire the book.
The book is great! I wouldn't recommend it for teens who
are young enough to get parental input into what they
read, because of violence and a little weird sex, but
there was not too much of that for a sensitive adult.
Rating:
Summary: Plot as tired and old as it's characters
Review: American Gods could have been an interesting book about the journey of one man into the ancient and powerful. At the same time, it could have been a humorous commentary on the American lifestyle. Over a wide variety of colorful characters, it could have been a unique and informative illustration of many cultures' beliefs and folklore.Unfortunately for the reader, it is none of these things. Instead it is a long meaningless treck. The "gods" are all the same character with different accents and vocabularies, and spout the same cryptic messages intended to add mystery to an obvious plot. However, the schlock mysticism can barely paste over the thin plot and the reader is always ten steps ahead of the protagonist. The novel is not slow-paced, as some readers have claimed, but is merely bland. This is a book full of could-have-beens. There are a few good points. The writing is clear-headed, and some might appreciate the comic-bookish framing and pacing of the scenes. The Wednesday character is likable for a good portion of the book after his cliche introduction, as is the protagonist's wife when she isn't speaking as a self-help guru. The story is pretty well balanced, there's just not much too it. Overall the book is a fine beach read, but don't expect any deep meaning, or to learn anything.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: It's a wonderful story, thrilling, passionate, you just can't stop reading until the end. It's one surprise after another, and when you think it couldn't get better it gets. I was stuck to this book from the very beginning to the end, specially because of the two greatest characters (Wednesday and Shadow). It's just great.
Rating: 
Summary: paean to greater gods of literature
Review: After discovering that this book won the Hugo this year, I picked it up. Although the book is readable, it is not remarkable. I found myself thinking among the overt and covert references to literary texts and authors how much better it would be to re-reading Vineland (Pynchon) or Mr. Bloodmoney (Dick). I also found myself thinking of a statement made by one of Asimov's characters in the (early) Foundation Series about how it wasn't necessary to develop original material when you could mine the classical authors. The atmosphere and motif of the story immediately reminded me of Night Watch by Sean Stewart, a much more evocative and compelling work if not quite attempting the same level of commentary. There were obvious nods all around to other authors including Delaney and Zelazny. I'm not going to read it again to pick up on any more. This isn't really intended as an complete indictment of Mr. Gaiman or his novel - I just expect more from a Hugo winner.
Rating: 
Summary: waste of time
Review: this book is just terrible, and i regret that i even spent a moment of my time and money for this nonsense. first of all there was no plot and evrything was vague. i was kept wondering what the real story was wether it was about the gods, about the main character shadow or laura who rose from the dead. the writer did not seem to know how to connect these characters together and just went from scene to scene which were irrelevant. i don't know what the hoopla is all about this author and i'm purely disappointed. after reading the reviews on the first page of the book i expected to at least enjoy the story but sad to say this is a terrible book.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: I was completely caught off guard when I picked this one up. Had no idea what I was getting into. A fantastic, journey into the mystical. Complex and very straightforward all at once. Refreshing. Gaiman shows incredible knowledge of mythology and its place in the human psych. An enjoyable journey that I didn't want to end.
Rating: 
Summary: modern myth making in all its gory glory
Review: Neil Gaiman understands mythology. He understands how our stories and ledgends are a part of us, part of our psyche. They are not merely ways to pass the time or simple children's fancies used to explain thunder or why a snake has no legs, etc. He also understands that our ledgends and myths need to change with the times. American Gods is a vastly entertaining story of old Gods, brought to this country with its immigrants, indentured servants and slaves. These Gods are fading, and newer, menacing Gods of technology & entertainment are rising to prominence, and a war is brewing. Through the story of Shadow, who starts out an an observer and ends up becoming a major part of the struggle, we are shown the majesty, mystery, and dark power of our icons, totems, and avatars. Humorous, chilling, and packed full of imagination, American Gods is a wonderful mix of fantasy and a terrifying exploration of our national consciousness and the mythical figures that give it form and life.
Rating:
Summary: American Gods
Review: I really enjoyed how the story unfolded. each chapter held a new piece of evidence, each a surprise and wonder. Neil Gaiman is one of the most vividly imaginative writers i've come across. His words reflect colorful, and sometimes disturbing pictures. It put my over imaginative mind in heaven!!!
Rating:
Summary: This Book Just Won the Hugo
Review: On September 1, this book became the surprise winner of the Hugo Award for best novel of 2001. Given what books it beat out for that award, that's a high recommendation indeed. I myself haven't read it yet, but it's now high on my list. Amazon.com forces me to give it some number of stars, and there's rarely a Hugo winner that doesn't deserve five, hence the recommendation.
| 
