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American Gods
American Gods
Author: Neil Gaiman
Shadow is a man with a past. But now he wants nothing more than to live a quiet life with his wife and stay out of trouble. Until he learns that she's been killed in a terrible accident.Flying home for the funeral, as a violent storm rocks the plane, a strange man in the seat next to him introduces himself. The man calls himself Mr. Wednesday, a...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780380789030
ISBN-10: 0380789035
Publication Date: 4/2002
Pages: 624
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 843

4 stars, based on 843 ratings
Publisher: HarperTorch
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
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Top Member Book Reviews

  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
reviewed American Gods on + 64 more book reviews
15 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is one of those books that people either really hate or really love. Myself, I enjoyed it. Some reveiws on Amazon.com review how some readers thought it was hard to get through--somewhat slow. I can understand why people would think that, but I found myself trying to interpret what Gaiman is trying to say. Much symbolism abounds in "American Gods." Not a quick read, but for me, it was worth it.
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
reviewed American Gods on + 123 more book reviews
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
I know this is blasphemy, but I don't really care for Gaiman's books. I want to love them like I loved his Sandman comics, but I am really rather blase about the novels and short stories. This one seems to be a favorite of everyone who reads it. I thought it was okay. Go figure. Winner of a Nebula award for best novel in 2002.
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
reviewed American Gods on + 52 more book reviews
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
The story itself is entertaining, but I had a hard time getting into it. The second half was better.

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  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
reviewed American Gods on + 8 more book reviews
This book is all over the place. A new setting almost every chapter, along with new characters. I never saw one character long enough to care what happened to him. It just didn't hold my interest.
  • Currently 1/5 Stars.
reviewed American Gods on + 19 more book reviews
Ugh. I didn’t get past 30-40 pages. I’m not a particularly prudish (or even particularly visual) reader, but every few pages had sex scenes or imagery that was simultaneously depraved and cartoonish, like something out of an adolescent boy’s imagination. This struck me as tawdry and gratuitous. Perhaps it wasn’t, ultimately, but it turned me off enough not to want to find out.
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
reviewed American Gods on + 180 more book reviews
I enjoyed American Gods even though fantasy is not a usual genre for me. Shadow is about to be released from prison, but the wife and quiet life he looked forward to is upended by her sudden death in a car accident. Starting with his plane ride back from prison, there's a falling-through-the-rabbit-hole feel to his new adventures. Gaiman's prose is inspired, keeping the reader motivated to follow along with Shadow in what can be interpreted as a deeply allegorical tale. An American mythology, even. Instead of a slew of unanswered questions, I left with an appreciation of Gaiman's craft.

Book Wiki

Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Shadow (Primary Character)
Mr. Wednesday (Primary Character)
Laura (Major Character)

Genres: