Reviews

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

thebogwitch's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-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? Yes

5.0

markproxy's review against another edition

4.0

For me, this book was rich in moments and fragments of meaning, and not so much about the overall story. It's a long, varied string of beads, the details of each bead being so fascinating or simply enjoyable-to-look-at that you don't really care so much about the overall pattern. The story as a whole left me thinking "nice story", and little more -- like the author had just taken me on a wandering tour of photos from his travels through America (some of them clearly Photoshopped), telling me fantastical stories about each one. Some of those stories crept into my dreams, souring otherwise good nights of sleep with images and feelings from Gaiman's horrific side... but I didn't mind the lost sleep.

There was also an overall feeling to the characters and the pace that drew me in. I can't say that I really related to the details of Shadow's life, but I was rooting for him, and I did find myself very familiar with his moods, and his take-it-as-it-comes way of being.

Regarding the ending... three endings? There's the end to the story proper, then the epilogue, then the postscript. If I were Neil Gaiman's editor, I would have urged him to drop the postscript. I wish I hadn't read it -- it just muddied an otherwise tidy ending.

Great fantasy.

librarydoc's review against another edition

4.0

This was almost as good as Neverwhere...and I probably would prefer to give it a 3.5 instead of a 4. But it kept my interest and was a quirky, dark book. I didn't like the adult nature of this one, especially since I like to recommend books to my students. This one is DEFINITELY not for my middle school students, but MAYBE my oldest high school students.

I am looking at Anansi Boys next, because I want more on some of these weird characters.

kirstysm24's review against another edition

Boring 

lilbunny_87's review against another edition

2.0

Very mixed feelings on this one. It felt very slow and was a struggle for me at the beginning. However, towards the middle to end of the book, it definitely picked up and got a lot more interesting.

michulette's review against another edition

adventurous challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

bridrizzle72's review against another edition

adventurous 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? It's complicated

3.75

heartsdesire's review against another edition

5.0

i have walked with the gods in 600 pages (not to mention, it's an off the chart enjoyable journey), go now, it's your turn, fellas!

sterlingprimerius's review against another edition

I tried, I really did. After picking it up for a third time after letting it just sit there the first two times, I decided it's time to let this one go. While I love mythology this book just doesn't bring it in a way I enjoy, and I really gave it a shot. I really wanted to like this book, but it's just not for me. And so the inconceivable has happened, for the second time in my life, I'm not finishing a book. I stranded at 49%...

kristinlovallo's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.5