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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One of my favorite books. And it’s great as an audio book too.
Fantastic
This is one of the best!
By far one of the best books I have ever read
Too good. Surprising, real, gritty, yet strange and whimsical. I can’t say too much without giving anything away, but the idea of the old gods living in America and struggling to survive on a bit of remembered belief is intriguing. A modern fantasy classic.
What can one say about Gaiman other than ‘awesome’? American Gods is full of surprises, surreal journeys, and brilliant imagination.
Thoroughly enjoyable synthesis of multiple mythical worlds with real historical events … Hard to put down and memorable long after the last page has been read! ***** (5/5 stars,)
Unexpected, is the first wird that occurs to me about American Gods, followed closely by creative.
Neil Gaiman is as inventive and gloriously imaginative a writer as you’ll ever encounter. Here, he takes a rich mythology, turns it at right angles to itself and sends it in a direction it seems no one has attempted before. Well worth a read, especially if you have any familiarity with or interest in Norse mythology.
I read American Gods over 25 years ago when it first came out. I loved the idea of gods needing worship to stay relevant, of how the people who came and settled in America brought their gods and folk tales with them, and how we are replacing the old gods with the new. I loved the mystery. I loved Shadow.
I read it again after I read Good Omens. …
Wonderful book, and very well written. A must read for lovers of mythology and contemporary fantasy.
This is a great book. Twisted, kitschy, very interesting idea.
American Gods (American Gods #1) by Neil Gaiman
2001
Audiobook, author’s edition
Fiction, mystery
Book group read
Rating: 3/5
Where to begin to describe “American Gods”?
“Circumstances rule men, men do not rule circumstances.”
Herodotus, father of history
Shadow Moon was looking forward to his release after 3 years …
For Pete’s sake, if you’re enjoying the show, READ THE BOOK! Read it years and years ago and absolutely loved it.
The future of American fiction here? God let’s hope not — more women as shadowy sex creatures and men as gods and male-only mythology. Nothing to enjoy here, unless you get off on endless pages of stereotypes and the wet dreams of two-dimensional women which still evidently live vividly in some men (and probably women). I don’t judge books on …
Everything Neil Gaiman writes is wonderful but he only seems to be doing short stories now and that’s not my favorite. This is definitely one not to be missed.
Clever story about the ancient and modern gods
I only have one question though…why did the God’s need Shadow? I loved the story but it felt like they could have had their war without him (which wouldn’t have been a good book).
I really liked the creative use and integration of the numerous mythology. Past that however I must say in general this is not the type of book I generally enjoy. I may have given four stars instead of three but I wasn’t intrigued by the plot and I didn’t get attached to any of the characters nor for that matter did I particularly like anyone. …
Wow. What an amazing book. This is the kind of story that sticks with you, and years later you’ll find yourself remembering a scene or a snippet of a conversation between two characters, and you’ll feel like you want to read it again just to delve more completely into this world. I listened to the audio book, which was fantastic, and the foreword …