American Gods: A Novel by Neil Gaiman
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.35 You Save: $4.60 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.29 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of American Gods: A Novel
Book Review: Legends Of Lore
Summary: 5 Stars
Often when a book I am reading is coming to an end, I begin to feel down, knowing that the characters I've been exploring will soon part. The main character in Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" also had this effect on me, but at the same time, I was glad to see his story end. The characters name is "Shadow" and his adventure will take him throughout the U.S.A., with grifters, drunks, police men, hitch-hikers, and gods. He will converse with the dead, gamble against deities, drive with immortals, and eat some decent meals along the way. His path is one that you will be unable to guess where it is heading next, and that perhaps is Gaimans greatest strength as a writer; he entices you with imagination and leads you through a maze, and you cannot help but follow.
"American Gods" explores the Lore of civilizations all over the world, and how they came to the shores of America, and once here, what happened to them. It is a fantastic read, I loved it.
Book Review: AGs is or anyone, but especially for Neil Gaiman fans.
Summary: 5 Stars
Neil Gaiman is an amazing storyteller. His characters simply ARE whoever he says they are, no matter how outlandish a premise he starts off with.
A Ndebele lady with a click in her last name and twelve gold rings about her neck is an instant New Yorker, all she needs is a cab license. This phenonmena is kind of what's going on in the book. I totally love it, especially since most of the novel takes place in the American midwest during winter, and the protagonist drives a beater. Each one of these elements are something just about anyone in the US can identify with.
It's got a schizophrenic and humble quality to it, because the characters are from everywhere, which is kind of how the US really is.
Not bad for a Minnesotan with a British accent.
Book Review: Fantastic...my new favorite
Summary: 5 Stars
I was absolutely amazed by this book. Suitably dark for the author of the comic Sandman, this book incorporates the world of myth into the present reality. Anyone who enjoys mythology will love trying to figure out who all of the gods are before they are revealed...and enjoy their places within the story. Those who are not mythology fans will simple enjoy a well-written and certainly creative story.
Anansi Boys, also by Gaiman, is next on my list...
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
truly one of Gaiman's best. I adored this book so much, that I'm hoping he'll continue to write stories about Shadow in the future. He's written a short story titled "Monarch of the Glen", (included in "Fragile Things") that takes on Shadow's journey after the events of this novel...another excellent example of Gaiman's storytelling.
This book is a must for anyone interested in Neil Gaiman's work, or mythology or both.
Book Review: Excellent, but a bit Confusing
Summary: 4 Stars
I've just finished reading Neil Gaiman's American Gods. The book leaves me thinking many things.
1. I'm really not sure whether or not I fully understood the book. Some things were explained, others were left up to the imagination. This is fine by me. But what did I glean from the novel? What was the theme? From what I gather, gods need people to believe in them, or they cease to exist. More important is the life of America. Does America change so much, growing in culture and mythos, that it forgets long-forgotten beings?
2. I really liked the style of writing. I felt like I was thrown into a meta-stream-of-conscience/third-person novel. Sure, I was lost on occasion, but I was always intrigued.
3. The fact that I did not, do not, completely understand the book gives me mixed feelings. The concept of magic and mystique was vague, but implied, while grounded in the real world. I felt that this could be explained better or more fully, but Gaiman knows what he's doing.
4. The allusions: there were many, many allusions and references to pop culture and past culture. Several sites, towns, etc really exist here in America, making the novel fun. Also, I felt like many themes and ideas were connected to the Sandman comics, which I've posted on here. Too many to mention, in fact.
5. Mythology: I am a big fan of mythology and folklore. If I ever decided to continue my education, I think I would want to take classes in folklore, fairy tales, myths, and the like. With that, American Gods has extensive characters from many cultures and religions and beliefs from all over the world. I didn't know who some of the characters were supposed to be, but I liked them.
6. Denouement: The conclusion of the story was acceptable. There seemed to be one main plot, the fate of the gods, and a few subplots (Laura, Lakeside, identity), and all were resolved satisfactorily. Though, it did sadden me a bit that Shadow met Easter, while Laura did not.
7. Laura: This was the most confusing character in the book. Laura is Shadow's recently deceased wife. Why does she come back from the dead? How? There were many questions about Laura, but her character was important for the development of Shadow.
There you have it. Some meager reflections on Gaiman's novel. After finishing the book, I thought that it would make for an excellent movie, provided the director, writer, actors, and effects were up to the quality of the book.
More Customer Reviews:
1 2
1 2