American Gods by Neil Gaiman

[Tarin]

Anybody else read Neil Gaiman's American Gods?

I'll wait to post any in-depth comments, lest I spoil anyone's read. But I will say that I had my socks completely knocked off by both the story (despite my disagreement with most of its theology) and the overall technique.

[ProfessorAlan]

I thought it was OK, I have liked some of his other works much more, so was disappointed on those grounds of comparison. It's been a while since I read it, but remember thinking that his concepts of "gods" were inconsistent and could have been stronger.

[Tarin]

The only other work of Gaiman's that I've read thus far is Stardust, so I really have no point of comparison. I do agree that the whole god thing wasn't developed as intricately as it should have been (although I have to say I'm glad Gaiman basically steered clear of any monotheistic references). However, his overall craft, in spinning this almost leisurely tale and somehow still keeping the tension so high, impressed me. His mastery of language is delicious.

I really appreciated his characterizations, esp. Shadow. From what I've read on Amazon, I think the MC got a bad rap for his "passivity" and lack of reaction. The very fact that Gaiman kept his MC so introverted and thereby allowed the reader to transplant his own emotions and reactions over Shadow's lent the story an eerie, almost translucent quality. It's certainly not a technique that would work in most cases, but I felt it was brilliant in this particular story.

[kluchar70]

I'm a BIG Neil Gaimen fan. I have loved his work since his comic book The Sandman. American Gods pulled me right in. I was very impressed by his research on other cultures and religions. I identified well with Shadow because I am an introvert myself. But what was weird was that it caused me to realize a deep fear of death because of the afterlife scene with Shadow passing into nothingness. Even though I have been a Christian for A long time, it still surfaces once in a while. But anyway, as you can see I really got into the book. It was very well done.
I haven't read Stardust yet, although I did see the movie which was great. That is the next book on my list. If you liked Gaimen's writing, I would suggest Neverwhere. That was his best work yet, I think. If you want to talk about anything else in the book, let me know.

[Tarin]

If you liked Gaimen's writing, I would suggest Neverwhere. That was his best work yet, I think.

I just ordered Neverwhere from Amazon; looking forward to reading it.:)

[Alice]

I have to be honest, the only Neil Gaiman I've read was part of a short story collection. But the stories, especially the one about an alternate Sherlock Holmes, really stuck with me.

[Tarin]

I'd never heard of him either until a few months ago when someone posted a link to an interview. What can I say? I live in a hole sometimes. :rolleyes:

[kluchar70]

He also wrote a good book called Coraline. It was short and meant for young readers, but I still enjoyed it.

[Ransom v. Unman]

He also wrote a good book called Coraline. It was short and meant for young readers, but I still enjoyed it.
I'm about to pick up Coraline, if for nothing else, than to read it before the movie comes out. :rolleyes:

But by all accounts, it's also a fantastic story on its own.

He's also just recently finished another novel that I know as much features a scene in a graveyard...

Gaiman? Morbid? Nah...

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I know it's primarily a kid's story, but Coraline was very creepy and I enjoyed it a lot. I just wanted it to have more detail (lol).

[Cymrugirl]

I've not read American Gods yet, but I've been made to understand that it's a writers' book - just because of the complexity of story within story within story. It's next on my list after I read Anansi Boys.

Coraline is pretty creepy. There are things in it that I don't look forward to seeing on film. Eep! I can't look at buttons the same anymore.

It's definitely a creative book with a little girl whose motivations are more realistic than many I've read about in children's novels.

[Tarin]

I've not read American Gods yet, but I've been made to understand that it's a writers' book - just because of the complexity of story within story within story. It's next on my list after I read Anansi Boys.

I was under the impression that Anansi Boys was a sequel of sorts to American Gods.

[Cymrugirl]

Is it????

I'd better look that up before I start reading. I think one of my friends has read Anansi but not American Gods - and said nothing about it. Perhaps reading one doesn't require the other - still the very organized part of me would be upset for reading something out of order.

[Tarin]

I'm not completely sure, since I haven't read Anansi Boys yet. But, I looked at both of them at the library, noticed they shared some of the same characters and opted to read American Gods first, since it was published prior to Anansi Boys. I think they're probably stand-alone novels, with only a few shared elements... but, like you, my compulsively organized side demanded I read them in order. ;)

[kluchar70]

I'm about to pick up Coraline, if for nothing else, than to read it before the movie comes out. :rolleyes:

But by all accounts, it's also a fantastic story on its own.

He's also just recently finished another novel that I know as much features a scene in a graveyard...

Gaiman? Morbid? Nah...

There's a movie coming out? Cool!

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I've seen Stardust (loved it but heard it's vastly different from the original novel). I've seen the tv series of Neverwhere (was okay), I enjoyed the movie, Mirrormask (amazing), I've read about half of the Sandman graphic novels and found the depth and borrowing from many mythologies, pop culture, religions etc. to be great and some characters - Death and The Sandman are very cool, not to keen on most of the stories though, and some of the content - volume 4 is amazing though. I've read Coraline (great) and Wolves in the Walls, and The Day I Sold My Dad for Two Goldfish (very good) and finally Good Omens (mostly very funny but some very slow, unneeded stuff).

Needless to say, that while Gaiman does write some inappropriate scenes etc. he is a master writer and most of his stuff I've read/viewed is very good to great.
I'll have to check out his other works.

What do you recommend (from what I've read already?)