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margueritestjust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I'll start off by saying that I was not particularly moved by this book. Shadow as its main character does very little that is not determined by the flow of events happening around him, and seems to feel very little about those events one way or anther, which in turn, made it hard to really connect with him. His magic tricks were perhaps the most fun and interesting part of his character, particularly because it showcased his kind nature - such as doing magic to impress the little kids he meets or rigging a coin toss so that he ends up paying for someone else's meal. Other than those brief, shining moments, as well as one decision later on in the book, Shadow was just kind of a person who went driving to a lot of places. Wednesday as his companion throughout the majority of the book, is much more vibrant in comparison, as are many of the other gods that inhabit these pages - I particularly enjoyed Thoth and Anubis in the forms of Mr. Ibis and Mr. Jacquel.
Philosophical and somehow aimless at the same time, the book concerns itself with a sprawling land and cast of characters that by their very inclusion, make a statement on the themes that act as the roots of the book. Religion and mythology are not quite synonyms as words, as mythology generally connotates something that is largely agreed upon as not real, usually a polytheistic belief system that explained the changing of the seasons or the reason the moon and the sun rose at different times of day, something that is largely because it has been supplanted by belief systems monotheistic in nature, and due to the time since people have truly believed in them. Whereas religion is generally considered an "alive" word of sorts, usually connotating something current that people believe in. And it is mythologies where Gaiman focuses, focusing on Norse, Egyptian, and Native American beliefs for the bulk of the story. When juxtaposing the old with the new gods, he largely omits the Abrahamic religions that dominate American culture, and instead focuses new generally non-religious concepts that nevertheless hold a huge sway of American culture and history, such as technology, media, and conspiracy theories.
This was decidedly well-written, and makes a lot of strong points that are worth considering beyond just the pages of the novel, but I was often not engaged enough to feel like this is necessarily a life-changing novel. But it's a good examination of America, or at least what Gaiman feels about America to be true, and I think worth reading.
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Death, and Child death
winglesswarrior's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Colonisation, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
bel017's review against another edition
Graphic: Death and Child death
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Grief, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Car accident, Blood, War, and Adult/minor relationship
justmys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Blood, Sexual content, Body horror, Vomit, Gore, Excrement, and Child death
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Self harm, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Car accident, Cancer, Grief, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
redheadorganist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Murder, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Vomit, Blood, Excrement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Cursing, and War
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts
raelinton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, Body horror, Slavery, Racism, Gore, Blood, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, War, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Murder, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Child abuse, Child death, Car accident, Confinement, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
eddiesourboy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Sexual content, Child death, Gore, Violence, War, Animal death, Car accident, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Pedophilia and Cancer
miayukino's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Car accident, Child death, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Vomit, Colonisation, Death of parent, Death, Gore, Murder, Sexual content, Body horror, Torture, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and War
scytheria's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Animal death, Murder, and Child death
cstein's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Grief, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Confinement, and Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Infidelity, Mental illness, Slavery, Torture, Racism, Racial slurs, and Colonisation
Minor: Cannibalism, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Rape, and Incest