Rating: 
Summary: Neil Gaiman is ALWAYS worth reading
Review: First: Neil Gaiman on his worst day is still a good ten times better than almost every other writer I've ever encountered. This book was riveting and a delight to read. Gaiman is the type of wordsmith you're willing to follow even before you've quite figured out where he's going.That said, there was a niggling dissatisfaction for me in this book. One of the things I've always admired most about his novels, both graphic and print, is the way that every detail, no matter how seemingly arbitrary, always winds up being not only relevant to the ultimate conclusion but absolutely integral. To watch the way everything just falls exactly into place is to witness a genius in action, and makes his work intensely enjoyable. I missed that here, that attention -- there *are* details that are dropped, elements that are rushed, characters who are just the slightest bit unessential. It's a good book, a beautifully written and imaginatively plotted read, but I'm *spoiled* by Gaiman's gifts -- I'm not seeing that greatness. Despite the title and despite what the plot is obviously trying to do, this is still a very English novel -- which is not a bad thing at all, unless you're overtly trying to write one about the *American* character/spirit. It's a quality to the novel that's hard to put your finger on. Maybe the way subtle Briticisms creep in, like supposed Midwesterners going "I'll stop a minute," instead of "I'll stay a minute" or "I'll stick around." A slight "stiff-upper-lip," reserved quality to the main character, Shadow -- which might keep some readers from fully engaging with him. Or, how certain characters speak in a way that doesn't quite match the background they're assigned. There's something that never quite gels -- America is a place where people who left a world behind came (and come) together and (over generations) turned (and turn) into an entirely new thing (and not always a pretty thing, but this is not the place to debate whether that new thing is good or bad). AMERICAN GODS seems to capture the spirit of journey without ever arriving at or analyzing the end result. While the "Coming to America" segments were all beautifully and powerfully written, the effect is still one of stranger-in-a-strange-land, an aspect of Americanness, true, but only one aspect. Gaiman sets out to illuminate "the soul of America" -- but only non-Americans would think that he's succeeded here, or would find familiarity. Perhaps the subject was simply too large for a single novel. (Although I'll say Julian Barnes did a phenomenal job fitting a similar theme into one book -- though a different genre -- in the allegory "ENGLAND, ENGLAND.") It's an esoteric point. It would be fun to explore further but I'm running out of space. And I feel a little guilty even picking these nits! He's GAIMAN after all -- he can do no wrong... it's only that when he's a little bit less right than usual, you really notice. Four stars for loyalty...
Rating: 
Summary: Way too long
Review: Loved his other stuff but this is way to weird and way to drawn out.
Rating:
Summary: The joy is in the journey
Review: I have read all of Gaiman's novels, as well as the Sandman graphic novels. I'm a fan of urban fantasy, and, needless to say, I'm a fan of Gaiman's work. I was especially anxious to read American Gods because a good portion of the story takes place in my home state, Wisconsin (home of snow, ice and Culver's custard.) I was not, generally speaking, disapppointed. American Gods has everything I like about Gaiman's stories. The story opens with Shadow, the protagonist, being released from prison a week early to attend his wife's funeral. Shadow is a big man, strong in both stature and integrity. On his way home, he meets Mr. Wednesday, who offers Shadow a job as bodyguard. The pair travels the American heartland, drumming up support for a coming spiritual war. Along the way they meet a host of unlikely characters, includ and thugs with names like Mr. Town, Mr. Street, Mr. Woods and Mr. World. And not least among this cast of extremely interesting characters is Laura, Shadow's deceased wife who spends most of the book bailing Shadow out of tight situations. And rotting. I docked the book 1 star because, in my opinion, the ending fizzled. Also, interspersed through the book were short stories that were removed from the main storyline. These were a nice break between chapters, and offered insight to 'the coming war' in other parts of the nation. For some reason, these stories stopped about 1/3 of the way through the book, and I sort of missed them. In summary, I think that American Gods was a far stronger effort than the last book of his I read, Stardust, but not as good as Neverwhere, or Sandman.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Many Gods
Review: This book surprised, shocked, disgusted, intrigued, but ultimately disappointed me. The books main premise of a fight between the transported 'Old World' gods and the new ones of modern urban America is a good one, each fighting for the thing that makes the gods immortal - belief in and homage to them. This war is slowly brought to light as Shadow, the main character, learns piece by piece about them, through direct interaction and through multiple dream sequences. Shadow's growing acceptance of the weird, different, and (normally) impossible is well handled, carrying the reader along a path from everyday reality to a final acceptance of a truly fantastic world, where our world is in some ways just a shadow of the true reality. Gaimam is at his best in the dream sequences and the short historical interludes that give a proper background to the arrival in America of many of the 'Old World' gods that are interspersed throughout the book. Within these, there is a distinct dark flavor, almost an oppressive depressiveness, an evocation of the not quite seen. Some of the descriptions of the odd-byway distinctive American tourist attractions are interesting and striking. Where this book fails, however, is in three distinct areas: The first problem is the sheer variety and number of the referenced gods. Most authors working in this area have confined themselves to using gods from only one distinct pantheon (Norse, Greek, Egyptian, Indian, etc). Here, Gaiman has referenced gods from almost every corner of the world. Few readers will have the background necessary to recognize all of these (especially not from the minimal clues Gaiman gives to their identities), and therefore will not be able to add each god's distinctive qualities to the portrayed character, thus making these characters near ciphers. The second problem is very limited character development for anyone other than Shadow and Wednesday (Odin). Even Laura (Shadow's dead wife) and Mr. World (Loki), major players in the final resolution, are given very minimal development, leading to little emotional involvement by the reader in the outcome. The third problem is Gaiman does not give any real 'presence' to any of the 'new' gods; there is no feeling either for or against them, as they nebulous names only ('media', 'credit', 'auto'). There are some scenes of rather shocking sex and a rather cavalier, everyday tone to his relating of some very horrific events. These add a lot to the very dark tone that prevails throughout this book, but 'atmosphere' alone cannot carry the full weight. At the end, I was left with a feeling of 'OK, so what?' An ambitious, interesting concept for a novel, but not totally successful in its execution.
Rating: 
Summary: Once is not enough
Review: This is a book you will want to read again as soon as you are done the first time. Gaiman does a supurb job of weaving fairytale, myth, legend, fantasy, and a little science fiction into a complex, tale. Reading this book, I was sucked into the parallel universe Gaiman had created with such detail. You couldn't help but appreciate the time and effort that must have gone into researching and learning about so many different religons and legends. His new twist on these ancient beliefs are what made this book exciting to read.
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Writing
Review: If you've read Gaiman's work before, you will recognise many of the themes in this book. Everything about the nature of Gods -- what they are, where they come from, how they survive, and what happens when they don't -- seems to be of supreme interest to him. As well, he is often concerned with the relationships between "common" mortals and the "uncommon" (deity, supernatural forces, etc.)and how that relationship changes a person. Gaiman certainly has the background knowledge to explore these topics! In fact, much of his work seems to contain less truly original content than it does beautifully arranged and applied folk traditions and mythologies. But to Gaiman, it seems that everything is a mythology, from tales of the Norse Pantheon to serial killers and black helicopters. Myself, I see the world that way too, so it's validating to read someone else who does. People who don't see the world that way, however, can find Gaiman's work long-winded and irrelevant. Gaiman's use of language is one the strongest points of this novel. He uses no more words than necessary, yet combines them in exquisite pictures like "Chicago came on slowly, like a migraine." Having read _American Gods_ following a cheesy and bombastic fantasy novel, I was really refreshed! I also really liked that much of the book was set in small towns and out of the way places. Living in a small town myself, I can say that Gaiman really has a handle on both the charms and oddities of small town America. It's great to see that given space without being made totally sinister, as King tends to do. Some people have objected to the lack of Christian content in anything with the word "Gods" in it. Similar objections were made to sections of _The Sandman's_ run. The only thing I can say to this is, if you're a strict monotheist or a religious fundamentalist of any kind, you will probably not like this book, so don't bother. Ditto if you don't like having your idea of the world challenged, or if you just don't find questions about the nature of deity interesting.
Rating:
Summary: gotta love that Gaiman guy...
Review: Neil Gaiman is a master. His stories are well-crafted, magical, works of fiction that are impossible to put down. Do your self a favor and read everything he has done, you'll be a better person for it ;-)
Rating:
Summary: A Long Strange Trip
Review: Although the ending is anticlimatic, especially to those familiar with Shirley Jackson and "The Golden Bough", this novel is a great trip. The characters, especially our hero, are multi-faceted and entertaining. Not a simple formula, paint by number effort. You will have an interesting time.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Perhaps my expectations were raised by the pre-pub hype surrounding this title but I was disappointed by "American Gods". Gaiman's premise is fascinating and he tells his story with imagination -- he certainly has the writing chops to deliver an entertaining and thoughtful read. However, I found myself waiting for something to happen. At times, the ideas within "American Gods" reminded me of novels by Disch, King and Barker -- good company, for sure. Again, I was disappointed but this is still worth reading, in my humble opinon.
Rating:
Summary: How Does He Do It?
Review: Bravo, Mr. Gaiman! An epic tale that is a must for those of us who are lovers of mythical characters & creatures. The common interwoven with the unreal in a convincing manner is a tribute to your writing skill. I had known of your name from your comic book work, but had never read anything of yours until now. It makes me wonder what I have missed.
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