A review by explikator
Gods Without Men by Hari Kunzru

mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 In the Mojave there is a magical place, where three rock formations stick out like fingers of a God. There seems to be a door to another plane, to another dimension, to the afterlife. This is what people always felt and Kunzru's huge cast is drawn to this place through four centuries.

With their experiences they draw a picture of America and its inhabitants: Natives, Mormons, inventors, rock stars, Wallstreet mathematicians, hippies, UFO cultists or coyotes. It's a book about what makes us believe what we want to believe. It's supernatural, mystical, metaphysical and even magical. 

My problem: The author doesn't believe into his postmodern version of magical realism at all. And he doesn't really care about his characters, too. Thus there is no closure on any of the dozens of arcs, even when they seem to intertwine - which they don't. But, even if it was not a light journey, it was fun to read, because Kunzru is a well versed writer. I will read another of his books, as soon as my reading list allows for it.