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Summary: Mythological Magic
Review: I read this book in 24 hours flat. I felt bad doing it too since I know it took Neil two years to write it...but how could I help myself? The story was engaging and the writing brilliant. In fact, I plan to read it again this weekend just to make sure I didn't miss anything the first time. Fans of Gaiman's other work will not be disappointed -- this is his largest body of work since The Sandman series. In fact, American Gods may just be the ticket to hooking friends and family members who are too jaded to read comic books. I have a literary pantheon of gods, and Neil is definitely one of the top deities.
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Summary: FANTASTIC!!!
Review: It all seems so simple:A man gets out of prison, only to find out that the one ray of hope that's kept him going is not going to be there when he gets out. But simple this story ain't! This book is a journey through America through the eyes of Neil Gaiman:The Master who gave us The Sandman. When reading this book, keep this in mind:Don't let any detail pass you by. Things have a way of relating to each other as the story progresses. I'm going to leave it at that, because to say any more would spoil the surprise...
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Summary: American Gods, simply wonderful.
Review: A story for those who want a story, rather than just a plot. Gaiman creates worlds and characters that are familiar, slightly off, and far more engaging than the "normal." As always with Gaiman, there is more than meets the eye and more than most would ever care to point out - thank heavens he thinks to let the rest of us in on his secrets. Gaiman fans will certainly love 'American Gods', as would fans of English humor, David Lynch, Chris Carter, and Penn and Teller. If you're unfamiliar with Gaiman's work, this is an excellent starting place.
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Summary: Neil Strikes Again
Review: After waiting several years for Neil's new book, I hungrily devoured the 400+ page "American Gods" in just over two days. The story follows Shadow Moon, recently released from prison, as he comes to work for a man simply known as Wednesday. Wednesday is a peculiar old man with a frightening knowledge of Shadow's past and an amazing talent of swindling people who introduces Shadow to many fascinating characters, who it is later learned, are all transplanted Gods endeavoring to hold on to life all across America. Gaiman explores the sacred power hidden in the kitschy roadside attractions doting the landscape of America's many back roads; their once glorious power waning as people worship more modern cultural icons and ideas. The sprawling story pits the forgotten gods America's immigrated citizens brought with them to the new land against the high-tech gods of modern living in a war for the very right to be worshipped. Shadow is pulled headfirst into the dispute and ends up playing a crucial role in the upcoming battle. The meanings of life and death, self-worth, spiritual beliefs, and redemption are all explored with Gaiman's witty intelligence. Gaiman's ability to entwine multiple plot lines with clever cultural critiques while maintaining fantastic character descriptions and an engaging narrative solidifies the fantasy/horror author's place as one of the world's best storytellers. Much more than a magical tale of combating Gods, Gaiman paints a picture of a melting pot left too long to boil, and a country who worships the next big thing a bit too easily and with little consideration for it's ancestry. Definitely worth buying, and undeniably worth reading (all though you might want to slow down a bit more than I did!). And while you're at it - check out "Stardust" and "Neverwhere", you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: Neil Gaiman's best ever, so far.
Review: American Gods is a brilliantly crafted story - elegantly told, easy to read and impossible to put down. Neil Gaiman understands the human condition better than most and he writes about it with brutal honesty, loving compassion and a great sense of humour. With this big, fat novel Mr. Gaiman has outdone himself. It is a masterpiece and his finest work to date; stories within stories, ancient mythologies and dark mysteries told in such a way as to touch your heart and your soul and change the way you see the world forever. This story goes beyond the boundaries of fantasy, horror, thriller and road-trip genres to a magical realism where the fantastic is so seamlessly woven into the familiar world that you'll not even notice that you've suspended your disbelief and it's dangling in mid air without a safety net. Overall, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Mr. Gaiman has created a truly modern classic of a kind that will enjoy a vast audience. Those who loved Sandman will love this and those who loved Stardust and Neverwhere will be blown away. And if you've not sampled his work before - after this you will want more.
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Summary: Simply put, wonderful
Review: Watch out Stephen King and Dean Koontz. This story is amazingly told with a fresh new writing style I have not seen in ages!!! I can't wait for your next novel.
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Summary: Another success for Gaiman
Review: The short review: Oh. My. God. Read this book. The longer one: What Gaiman did for London in Neverwhere, he does for a whole country in American Gods. Does the US have room for the old gods? What new gods are formed in this age of media and technology? Shadow is released from prison a day early due to his wife's sudden death. He is offered a job by an enigmatic old man and finds himself questioning what, exactly, he believes. He is visited by his dead wife and meets a pantheon of deities from many cultures and many times. A storm is coming, a battle between the old gods and the new, and Shadow is wanted by both sides... Gaiman's vast knowlege of old stories and older gods combined with his gift for creating rich characters adds up to a beautifully crafted tale of America.
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Summary: A n adventue into otherwhere
Review: Shadow went to prison for beating up two men, but receives parole after three years of doing time. Because he is big and radiates a "don't mess" attitude, Shadow had no problems there. Two days before he is to be freed, the warden informs Shadow that his wife died and he can leave to make proper funeral arrangements. Shadow loved his wife and is rocked by the news. When Mr. Wednesday arrives on the scene just before the funeral of Shadow's wife, the grieving ex-con welcomes the craziness that ensues. Mr. Wednesday is actually Odin and with the other ancient gods and mythical creatures walks the earth though no one believes in them anymore. Mr. Wednesday and cohorts are growing weaker and he wants to make one last confrontation for the hearts of Americans. Neil Gaiman uses flashbacks to show how leprechauns, Odin, pixies other creatures of myth and legend other came to the New World. They traveled here in the hearts and souls of the immigrants. This pure epic urban fantasy demonstrates why Mr. Gaiman remains the grandmaster of the sub-genre. The Old Ones need people to believe in them again, but doubt they can achieve their noble objective. The climax is incredibly original so that no one will guess what will happen. AMERICAN GODS might prove to be the fantasy tale of 2001 as it is already that of the midpoint. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Neil Gaiman's best novel
Review: After two very good but not mind blowing novels, Neil Gaiman has really found his stride. American Gods is as good as Gaiman's classic Sandman series. It is smart, occasionally funny, sometimes scary, often moving and consistently brilliant. If you liked Sandman, buy this book. If you like reading, buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly spun tale
Review: American Gods is truly a crafted story, which is to say it is true to the craft that is writing. A satire on the American condition, it rings true to many arenas of thought, from philosophy to religion to the American dream. It was difficult to put down; it catches the reader in it completely, creating a view of the world you may have not seen before.
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