American Gods (American Gods, #1) in Into the Forest

May 10, 2014 RachelvlehcaR rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, myths-legends-ghosts-mysteries, 03-library-and-borrowed, contemporary, science-fiction-fantasy, 04-series-to-read-or-read, favorites-read-2015, 06-notable-reads-in-2025

Review on June 21, 2014
This is my first Gaiman book. It's very interesting and kinds of different from books I've read and what I was expecting. I'm recommending this book to my friend, she loves reading about myths. She just might like this book.

I really like the main character Shadow. He reminds me of the character The Maxx. The stories are not the same at all but something about him that just reminds me of him. Maybe it's he's a big tough guy that has a calm side to him, even if he has been i ...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Ananthu rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, neilgaimaniac

Some books give you an ineffable feeling. Even though what the writer has placed before you seems mundane superficially, there's something mysterious, something that only maybe you, the reader, can conjure up, something queer and at the same time beautiful, that seems to seep from the pages to you and the mere sensation of it is enough to wake up hitherto untrodden paths inside you. Inside American Gods, I had such ineffable pleasures.

The scale is definitely large. It's a real page-turner; Gaim ...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Kirstie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

I love Neil Gaiman's work, his comics, his tv shows, his children's books but this was my very first attempt at reading his fiction for adults. American Gods was a thrilling novel with great characters deep settings and a lot to say, but I must admit I didn't quite enjoy it as much as his 'kiddy' works (does that mean I'm a child, not sure).

This does not men I didn't enjoy the book, far from it, I loved it. I didn't guess the twist ending (though I must confess the secret of the town (won't go i ...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Andromeda M31 rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

I first read American Gods some years ago. It was right after I had discovered Neil Gaiman and had worked my way through the Sandman Trades. I had particularly loved the Season of Mists story arc, in which a variety of Gods, including much of the Norse Pantheon, and supernatural beings parley at the House of Dream in order to purchase, bribe, or threaten the Key of Hell from the hands of the Dream Lord Morphius. I was less than impressed with American Gods. To be honest, I didn’t remember all th I first read American Gods some years ago. It was right after I had discovered Neil Gaiman and had worked my way through the Sandman Trades. I had particularly loved the Season of Mists story arc, in which a variety of Gods, including much of the Norse Pantheon, and supernatural beings parley at the House of Dream in order to purchase, bribe, or threaten the Key of Hell from the hands of the Dream Lord Morphius. I was less than impressed with American Gods. To be honest, I didn’t remember all that much of the plot.

However, in this read through, with the memories of Sandman tucked away on the shelf with my other comic books, I was free to enjoy the story without it suffering comparisons.

I found myself very wrapped up in Shadow's strange odyssey through the US. Dragged along by the mysterious Wednesday, accruing forgotten Gods, Sprites, and Spirits for a battle against modern deities. The newer set of supernatural beings, technological incarnations of the motorcar, railroad, internet, media were an interesting... if oddly motivated collection of villains.

The landscape of this book is misty and clouded. This US seems made up of hotel rooms, small towns, and kitchy tourist traps. Godlike characters appear but their stories are only hinted at, and it's up to the reader to fill in certain gaps with wikipedia or leave himself in the realm of uncertainty.

Shadow is on a personal quest with an unknown goal, and makes for simple but hollow narrator. Is his affectation explained away with the explanation of his lineage? I do not know.

This is a male book. The female characters are either dead betrayers of men, or fertility goddesses, and maybe a mother figure or two. Even Bast is a completely sexualized creature. Nubile young women are drawn to the old and scarred Wednesday, or Odin, but I couldn't tell you why. There is a camaraderie among the men that is never extended to the women. Oh well.

I don't know if I appreciate Gaiman specifically stating Native American mythology as being drastically different to Old World Mythology. The Native Americans, too, has places of worship. Maybe Gaiman should have done more research at Zion National park.

Is this book thoroughly enjoyable? Yes. Does it really have anything to say about America. No. But should you read it? Oh yes. ...more

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