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American Gods
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American Gods
Author: Neil Gaiman

Book Information
Publisher: HarperTorch
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0

ISBN-13: 9780380789030 - ISBN-10: 0380789035
Publication Date: 4/2002
Pages: 624


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover, Paperback, Audio CD (Unabridged), Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Paperback, Paperback, Hardcover, Paperback, Paperback

Book Description:

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, and he knows more about Shadow than is possible.

He warns Shadow that a far bigger storm is coming. And from that moment on, nothing will ever he the same...


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Top Member Book Reviews

12 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.


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.


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.


9 member(s) found this review helpful.

Amazing book. I couldn't put it down. It has one of my favorite passages in any book. You'll love it especially if you like myths and legends.


8 member(s) found this review helpful.

A young man getting out of prison finds out his wife has just died in a car wreck. He meets a mysterious stranger on an airplane and his whole life changes.

I enjoyed reading this book. The story is choppy at times--jumping around from place to place without a transistion--but it comes together in the end. Overall it was well written and intriguing.


7 member(s) found this review helpful.

This author has such a gift with words it seemed as if i had read poetry instead of a novel. A thoughtful and horrific view of our america.



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Very imaginative work, and includes a lot of folklore references.


Creative and surprising.


Back Cover Synopsis:
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, and he knows more about Shadow than is possible.

He warns Shadow that a far bigger storm is coming. And from that moment on, nothing will ever be the same...

What the back cover didn't say:
The back cover explanation really says absolutely nothing. This book is about what happens when immigrants come to American, a basically godless country and what happens to their own gods when people stop believing in them. New gods come to being: the TV, the Media, Technology.

What I didn't like: Shadow is just a stupid name for a man. Also, the dead wife/walking corpse just seemed a bit pointless although she did take care of all the dirty business for Shadow.


Book Wiki
Common Title
Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Shadow (Primary Character)
Mr. Wednesday (Primary Character)
Laura (Major Character)
Real Places
Fictional Places
Important Events
Awards and Honors