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A review by iklebubu
American Gods / Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
4.0
American Gods: 4.0
I can understand that American Gods is not necessarily a novel for everyone. This is mostly due to the protagonist, Shadow, who is in many ways pretty unconventional. Relatively unfazed and accepting toward the circumstances and events surrounding him, it is quite difficult to comprehend his character. Needless to say, this sort of character writing can leverage some really dry and witty humor - which there is plenty of - but can distance the readers. Shadow is also not the most determined character there is out there, hence the plot-driven nature of American Gods. Though Neil Gaiman somehow manages to maintain clear distinctions between his characters, providing them with unique and singular traits and demeanor - Shadow included. The plot however begins to drag at times and to feel repetitive, and that is when you notice the weak character of Shadow, who cannot achieve sufficient captivation without the help of the side characters and the drive of the main narrative. What ultimately made me commit to this rather pleasant rating was the fascinating concept with its array of distinct characters and nuances as well as my fondness of Gaiman's humor and writing. And of course, I like gods and the mythologies encompassing them.
Anansi Boys: 3.5
Anansi Boys is a neat independent novel, uncoupled from American Gods, that picks one character from its predecessor and dives into their family relations more deeply. Mr. Nancy has somehow always been quite striking in American Gods and exploring the complex web of his ties a (no pun intended) proved to be as joyous as, if not more joyous than the rather insignificant struggle between Wednesday and Shadow in American Gods. With Mr. Nancy being a trickster, cunning and lively, this novel packs a whole lot of humor. Fat Charlie, the son of Mr. Nancy, is really likable, mainly due to the misery he finds himself in, and is written like a character straight from a comedy film. In general, I can't shake the feeling that Anansi Boys is a comedy; it has short and comic dialogue, and its characters come off as a bit nonchalant. Whimsical in its tone, the novel is unrestraint. It doesn't have set rules and thus feels refreshing consistently. Everything can happen, and that's what ultimately makes Anansi Boys fun to read.
I can understand that American Gods is not necessarily a novel for everyone. This is mostly due to the protagonist, Shadow, who is in many ways pretty unconventional. Relatively unfazed and accepting toward the circumstances and events surrounding him, it is quite difficult to comprehend his character. Needless to say, this sort of character writing can leverage some really dry and witty humor - which there is plenty of - but can distance the readers. Shadow is also not the most determined character there is out there, hence the plot-driven nature of American Gods. Though Neil Gaiman somehow manages to maintain clear distinctions between his characters, providing them with unique and singular traits and demeanor - Shadow included. The plot however begins to drag at times and to feel repetitive, and that is when you notice the weak character of Shadow, who cannot achieve sufficient captivation without the help of the side characters and the drive of the main narrative. What ultimately made me commit to this rather pleasant rating was the fascinating concept with its array of distinct characters and nuances as well as my fondness of Gaiman's humor and writing. And of course, I like gods and the mythologies encompassing them.
Anansi Boys: 3.5
Anansi Boys is a neat independent novel, uncoupled from American Gods, that picks one character from its predecessor and dives into their family relations more deeply. Mr. Nancy has somehow always been quite striking in American Gods and exploring the complex web of his ties a (no pun intended) proved to be as joyous as, if not more joyous than the rather insignificant struggle between Wednesday and Shadow in American Gods. With Mr. Nancy being a trickster, cunning and lively, this novel packs a whole lot of humor. Fat Charlie, the son of Mr. Nancy, is really likable, mainly due to the misery he finds himself in, and is written like a character straight from a comedy film. In general, I can't shake the feeling that Anansi Boys is a comedy; it has short and comic dialogue, and its characters come off as a bit nonchalant. Whimsical in its tone, the novel is unrestraint. It doesn't have set rules and thus feels refreshing consistently. Everything can happen, and that's what ultimately makes Anansi Boys fun to read.