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A review by elbell1012
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
How much can you really separate the art from the artist? As an artist myself I know my experience, actions, and my very core affect what I create. I am my art and my art is me. So, I find the recent allegations against Neil Gaiman disturbing and heartbreaking. I was about halfway through this book when the news broke, and while my opinions on this book are not changed, I will no longer be supporting Gaiman by purchasing more books.
Anyways
This book was long and this book was meandering. I feel like it very easily could have fallen into Lord of the Rings territory (ploy droughts). I felt that Gaiman was able to keep the story moving at a clip, even though for a while it felt like nothing was happening. Things were happening within the nothingness if that makes sense?
I think my favorite parts of this were the vignettes of the Gods being brought to America by their believers and the story of Salim and the taxi driver. They felt both educational and entertaining. I’m not sure how much research Gaiman did, but I sincerely hope it was thorough. There were a few parts around halfway, and slightly before, that were a little icky, especially considering the SA allegations. Mr. Wednesday(old man, thousands of years old) screws a 17 year old and Shadow, who judged Wednesday for previously stated action, remarks on how beautiful a 14 year old would be in 10 years. That felt even more gross than it would have already all things considered.
The ending was this books saving grace. It felt a little “Twilight Saga” (iykyk), but I think it did it much better. I was a little confused on the ending, but maybe I'm too stupid for a book like this.
Anyways
This book was long and this book was meandering. I feel like it very easily could have fallen into Lord of the Rings territory (ploy droughts). I felt that Gaiman was able to keep the story moving at a clip, even though for a while it felt like nothing was happening. Things were happening within the nothingness if that makes sense?
I think my favorite parts of this were the vignettes of the Gods being brought to America by their believers and the story of Salim and the taxi driver. They felt both educational and entertaining. I’m not sure how much research Gaiman did, but I sincerely hope it was thorough. There were a few parts around halfway, and slightly before, that were a little icky, especially considering the SA allegations. Mr. Wednesday(old man, thousands of years old) screws a 17 year old and Shadow, who judged Wednesday for previously stated action, remarks on how beautiful a 14 year old would be in 10 years. That felt even more gross than it would have already all things considered.
The ending was this books saving grace. It felt a little “Twilight Saga” (iykyk), but I think it did it much better. I was a little confused on the ending, but maybe I'm too stupid for a book like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Cursing and Suicidal thoughts