TestFirst published in 2001, American Gods became an instant classic—an intellectual and artistic benchmark from the multiple-award-winning master of innovative fiction, Neil Gaiman. Now discover the mystery and magic of American Gods in this tenth anniversary edition. Newly updated and expanded with the author’s preferred text, this commemorative volume is a true celebration of a modern … volume is a true celebration of a modern masterpiece by the one, the only, Neil Gaiman.
A storm is coming . . .
Locked behind bars for three years, Shadow did his time, quietly waiting for the magic day when he could return to Eagle Point, Indiana. A man no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, all he wanted was to be with Laura, the wife he deeply loved, and start a new life.
But just days before his release, Laura and Shadow’s best friend are killed in an accident. With his life in pieces and nothing to keep him tethered, Shadow accepts a job from a beguiling stranger he meets on the way home, an enigmatic man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A trickster and rogue, Wednesday seems to know more about Shadow than Shadow does himself.
Life as Wednesday’s bodyguard, driver, and errand boy is far more interesting and dangerous than Shadow ever imagined—it is a job that takes him on a dark and strange road trip and introduces him to a host of eccentric characters whose fates are mysteriously intertwined with his own. Along the way Shadow will learn that the past never dies; that everyone, including his beloved Laura, harbors secrets; and that dreams, totems, legends, and myths are more real than we know. Ultimately, he will discover that beneath the placid surface of everyday life a storm is brewing—an epic war for the very soul of America—and that he is standing squarely in its path.
Relevant and prescient, American Gods has been lauded for its brilliant synthesis of “mystery, satire, sex, horror, and poetic prose” (Michael Dirda, Washington Post Book World) and as a modern phantasmagoria that “distills the essence of America” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). It is, quite simply, an outstanding work of literary imagination that will endure for generations.
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Unique Fantasy Novel. somewhat weird, but entertaining. Great writer.
world of gods- too many crossing the religius barriors or gods similar to each other mixed. more seperated mythology would be nice. more well known gods/creatures wouldve been nice. i fell like the current world and technology already has won in real life with declining religious numbers attending services so it should seem like …
I think Neil Gaiman is the only author who could have interested me in this book. By description, I shouldn’t have liked it. All those references to Norse, Greek, African gods. I don’t enjoy mythology. I find it repetitive and uninteresting, usually. This is also a very masculine story, frequently crude, occasionally raunchy. Not something I care …
I don’t get Neil Gamen. That’s all. A lot of people like him, but I don’t sync with his world view.
Very Slow Paced and Really BORING.
American Gods was a strange ride. Not to give too much away, the idea is that a lot of things become gods because of the ‘worship’ of humans. Not a new concept, Star Trek used it in the 60’2.
But this is Neil Gaiman, and his word craft is superior and his characters are multidimensional (and inter dimensional as well). Some of the story is …
American Gods is a chimera, a creature born of a fusion of disparate parts. Except for the obligatory invocation, American Gods follows the conventions of the classic epic. Yet, it is also visionary fiction, horror, adventure, folklore, legend, fantasy, mythology, and postmodernism as its best. Gaiman’s daring rejection of the tenets of the …
An amazing book, a fun read . Gaiman is one of the best modern writers with a great story telling ability.
Way better than the TV program!
This is an amazing book. why did it take me 15 years to get around to reading it???
Wonderful story, couldn’t putg it down…
Interesting world concept. It is not a happy or edge of your seat book however a great amount of character development and world building make a pretty good read. Recommended.
I read this and I liked it but I can’t say that I was overly impressed by it. That’s because the idea of gods walking among mortals in modern society isn’t new and was done much better in Jane Lindskold’s “Changer”.
Lindskold’s book came out in 1998, years before Gaiman’s book, and Lindskold wrote the superior story. Unfortunately, Gaiman is the …
Clever and captivating. My favorite Neil Gaiman book.
A funny mix of syncretic mythology with a black detective story and an unhappy hero who must mature – to discover his destiny!
A great book that I could go through over and over. The ideas and background for the characters ar e well built. A must read for those who enjoy a book that pulls you in and holds you to want to keep turning pages.
This is a love it or hate it book. A lot of people couldn’t finish it; I couldn’t put it down. Great read for me.
Interesting but not for me.
So-so, expected better of this author than warmed over Gothic/Norse mythology.
Gaiman is a master story-teller. Absolutely loved the weaving of “old gods” into the modern world.