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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In case it’s escaped any of you, I adore Neil Gaiman. I haven’t seen the show, and I can’t imagine it meeting the high bar of the book. Excellence achieved.
The story line is kind of a big mess.
A twisted take on the history of all the Gods mankind has worshiped. This one will take you on a journey that is thought provoking and will keep you up at night.
Not my favorite Neil Gaiman. my favorite is Neverwhere. He can write, though.
I read the extended edition, then attempted to watch the series – the book is better by leagues.
I enjoyed the mix of magical realism and how the gods integrated and evolved around modern society in order to stay alive. The ideas alone in this book were worth reading, though there were some storylines that felt unexplored or even forgotten. I …
This epic novel is an American classic.
What a trip !
Nothing like it! A total original. A crazy road trip with the most fascinating characters you will EVER read. Loved it!
Liked the main character. This was a very weird storyline. Kept thinking there would be some revelation to make plot make sense. It never really did. Disappointing.
A fascinating concept, the gods we bring with us, and those we create, and how they compete, and survive. At it’s heart, about loyalty and betrayal, and stepping back from simply traveling the path to see the map.
This had a lot of elements I usually don’t like in a book (sudden jumps in time/space and characters; magic without system (even though that sorts itself out towards the end),…) but somehow I absolutely adored it.
Maybe it was because of his writing style, or maybe I was a bit more lenient because someof the references early on captured my …
Read 3.18.2009
Well.
I don’t know WHEN I started liking this book, but it sure wasn’t at the beginning (I believe it was around Chapter 13 that things picked up some for me!)!!
This was a L O N G book.And in many parts, tremendously confusing. There are parts that even now, I do not understand. But I DID learn quite a bit as well. And mostly …
Wow. A great read. Highly recommended.
I know this may sound strange, but while I liked this book very much, I actually like the TV series on Starz much better. The show dives into race in a way the book does not—bringing superb coherence to and shining a light on a theme that I think Gaiman only dances around in the book.
In any case, Gaiman was/is crucial to the creation of the …
I read the 10th anniversary edition of this book. I’ve heard from others that earlier versions were not as good. Since I did not read those, I would not know.
This was my first Neil Gaiman book, I am ashamed to say. It won’t be my last. The character development was very good. The characters were flawed and it took a while to figure out their …
This strange book is one of the most thought provoking I’ve read in a long time. Through his alternative world, Guamanian has written an insightful commentary on what is important to people in the modern world. It isn’t easy to read and the imagery isn’t always easy to translate, but it’s well worth the effort.
Fun and dark and epic, one of Gaiman’s best. Shadow is an indelible character, the kind that sticks out and sticks with you, even surrounded by the colorful, dangerous, larger-than-life gods Gaiman brings to life here. Highly recommended.
The concept is SO interesting and it’s a crime he hasn’t written more because there’s so much more to learn about! To keep it short if you are interested in Mythology (Not Greek/Roman though mind you, Neil didn’t really include them in the series much which was honestly a bit refreshing) and how the Gods are surviving in America’s society: You’ll …
Simply one of the great novels of the last 50 years.
3.5 ★
I started watching the TV show way back when for a couple episodes. I figured this would be a book I enjoy and stopped the show until I read the book…. Well I have not gotten around it until now … honestly I don’t know if the show is still running or not at this point, I might have to check on that. Doubt it, I haven’t seen anything about …