Scan barcode
demosthenes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
5.0
I'm re-reading this book for the second time now and I can definitely say it's still one of my favorite books of all time.
I honestly couldn't tell you why I love this book so much. It could be the crazy, sprawling plot lines, or the simple, yet talented narrative style, or the diverse cast of loveable (and hateable) characters, humans and gods. I just love it sm.
There are some things from this book that will always stick with me:
I honestly couldn't tell you why I love this book so much. It could be the crazy, sprawling plot lines, or the simple, yet talented narrative style, or the diverse cast of loveable (and hateable) characters, humans and gods. I just love it sm.
There are some things from this book that will always stick with me:
Shadow's carousel ride at the House on the Rock Shadow's night with Czernobog and the Zoryas The gang's time at the Center Hinzelmann's history as a child-turned-ritual-god Shadow's vigil after Mr. Wednesday's death
Mr. Wednesday was def my favorite character,
i also love the way this book ties into Anansi Boys, it's spin-off. Both books are SO good and I cant wait to reread Anansi Boys. Love love love Neil Gaiman ❤️
gillibean's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
avelasco7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
clintonreissig's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
The concept is intriguing but a majority of the book was slow for me. Admittedly, I don't normally read these types of books so it might be a "me" problem. Just be warned, when taking on this book, there is a lot to digest. A lot of characters, a lot of stories, and dreams, and locations. It's a little puzzling at times, but, again, might be a "me" problem.
will_meringue's review against another edition
2.5
People believe, thought Shadow. It's what people do. They believe. And then they will not take responsibility for their beliefs; they conjure things, and do not trust the conjurations. People populate the darkness; with ghosts, with gods, with electrons, with tales. People imagine, and people believe: and it is that belief, that rock-solid belief, that makes things happen.
In his preface to this edition, Neil Gaiman wrote that, with American Gods, '[he] wanted to write a book that was big and odd and meandering, and [he] did.' Although too meandering at times for my personal taste, I don't disagree with him there, and it all came together in rhe last 150 pages in a way that really impressed me. However, that doesn't change the fact that I found significant portions of the book a slog to read. More than that, though, I couldn't abide the misogyny in this book. I know 2001 was a fair while ago now; it's not an excuse. And it's not because of the world the book occupies - the misogyny in this book is structural. Every single woman in this book is a misogyntistic stereotype, usually a highly sexualised one. Even when I thought I couldn't be surprised by the vitriolic misogyny, I would read something else and my jaw would drop. So, if you want to read this, be prepared.
In his preface to this edition, Neil Gaiman wrote that, with American Gods, '[he] wanted to write a book that was big and odd and meandering, and [he] did.' Although too meandering at times for my personal taste, I don't disagree with him there, and it all came together in rhe last 150 pages in a way that really impressed me. However, that doesn't change the fact that I found significant portions of the book a slog to read. More than that, though, I couldn't abide the misogyny in this book. I know 2001 was a fair while ago now; it's not an excuse. And it's not because of the world the book occupies - the misogyny in this book is structural. Every single woman in this book is a misogyntistic stereotype, usually a highly sexualised one. Even when I thought I couldn't be surprised by the vitriolic misogyny, I would read something else and my jaw would drop. So, if you want to read this, be prepared.
protoman21's review against another edition
3.0
This was supposed to be the Neil Gaiman book that I enjoyed the most, but sadly I just never connected with it. Gaiman always brings his brilliant words to the table, but that just isn't enough to sustain an entire novel. Yes, his plots are unpredictable and yes there are sections that draw you into his world and creep up your spine, but there is also a ton of filler that obviously grabs some people and speaks to them, but I just found myself completely uninterested.
I should put a disclaimer here that I have never cared for stories about Gods and mythology. Telling me something is important doesn't make me care about it. It isn't my reality, so the creator has to work very hard and be very good to make me care. If a character in a story drops a quarter down a drain, I feel their pain because I already understand that loss, but if a god I've never heard of dies, I am not going to blink an eye unless you've done something to make me care about that god.
I read the author's preferred text version and I found myself wishing I had read the novel before Gaiman added even more to it. I particularly didn't care about any of the parts without Shadow. Unlike some reviewers who didn't like Shadow, I found him to be an interestingly complex character with motives that were always bubbling under the surface only occasionally revealing themselves.
I don't regret reading this, but I will not be actively encouraging others to do so.
I should put a disclaimer here that I have never cared for stories about Gods and mythology. Telling me something is important doesn't make me care about it. It isn't my reality, so the creator has to work very hard and be very good to make me care. If a character in a story drops a quarter down a drain, I feel their pain because I already understand that loss, but if a god I've never heard of dies, I am not going to blink an eye unless you've done something to make me care about that god.
I read the author's preferred text version and I found myself wishing I had read the novel before Gaiman added even more to it. I particularly didn't care about any of the parts without Shadow. Unlike some reviewers who didn't like Shadow, I found him to be an interestingly complex character with motives that were always bubbling under the surface only occasionally revealing themselves.
I don't regret reading this, but I will not be actively encouraging others to do so.
deanna_rigney's review against another edition
3.0
This teeters between 3 and 4 for me, so I guess I would put it at 3 1/2 if I had that option. It is a bit lengthy, and you don't get a lot of explanation...but I'm finding out that Gaiman's work kinda leaves a lot to the reader to decide and imagine, which is kinda cool and frustrating at once. This delves into an interesting idea about what happens to the gods of Europe and other countries once they come to America as the beliefs of immigrants, and how they coexist with new gods. It is a very strange but enjoyable story about gods, legends, and beliefs.
crazylady_usmc's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing. There's no praise or comment I could give that hasn't been said about American Gods.