How long does it take to get into this book?

[Dora]

This is my favourite Gaiman book. It took me a while to get hooked bit not that long. Anyway, keep reading, I'm sure you'll be glad when you finish.

[Alex]

My first Gaiman book was Good Omens (co-written with Terry Pratchett). I found that a great introduction to his fantasy real world with the soother of Terry Pratchett's jokes to make it a bit easier.

I definitely enjoyed this book, but it never felt 'wow' at any point, so I understand why someone would find it a bit of a slog

[Tash]

I'm almost finished and I have found this book to be a slow steady paced read. Lovely little snippets of characters and moments.
If you're reading this book, just go with it. Have no expectations. I find that's the best way with Gaiman.

[Natalie]

After several failed attempts to get into this book, I abandoned it (which is something I NEVER do).

[Richard]

We've spent many years traveling cross country here, often covering the same ground as in the novel, so it grabbed me from the get-go. I was really moved by the book, especially as Gaiman isn't a native. He took an almost standard plot and turned it into a really moving tale for me at least.

[Kori]

ST wrote: "I'm about 130 or so pages in and I am not yet gripped by this novel. Just wondering if it is just slow to develop and keeps getting better or am I just not enjoying it? (hopefully it's not the lat..."

I was into it right away and thought it was simply a great story.

However, I think there's a style thing that can make it a poor fit for some. It's pretty sparse, and if you generally don't like the minimalist style (i.e. Hemingway, Steinback, Orwell) you'll have a tough time with it.

[Joanne]

I found that I wasn't ever completely gripped by this book, but I also finished it relatively quickly. I think it was the creativity of Neil Gaiman, I haven't read anything like American Gods in a long time. I heard The Ocean at the End of the Lane is incredible!

[One]

It doesn't get better, give up now and move on with your life.

[Susan]

Elizabeth wrote: "I actually listened to this as an Audible selection, and with a cast of readers, rather than one actor doing different voices. Hearing it like that really played up the idea of myth and folklore as..."
That might work better for me. I slogged through the book with a copy of "Mythology for Dummies" on my lap. I generally like Gaiman's work, but this one seemed to take way too much effort to get into. I made no connections with any of the characters at all. I did manage to finish it, but it didn't make me want to pick up another of his works any time soon. It took me a while to start in on "The Ocean at the End of the Lane," which is a much better book.

[Susan]

Ruben wrote: "I've enjoyed lots of Gaiman's other stuff but he didn't nail this one. Great idea, weak execution. Promised a lot, delivered little."

Well-said! I agree completely.

[Angie]

I only carried on with this because it was a Neil gaimon novel. I've enjoyed everything else he's written, the Sandman particularly good.

[Ken]

I felt the opposite Susan, but the mythology references (which were myriad!) made the book click for me, while Ocean promised them and fell flat.

[Sruthi]

Hmmm... I loved Good Omens, so I tried reading this on someone's recommendation, but I just couldn't get into it. I think I'll try Stardust or Neverwhere and possible come back to this to see if I'll like it.

[Lavon]

I remember my reading experience. As I was reading I was a little confused the entire time thinking,"Okay, when is the real action going to start? Something exciting?..." You read it and feel it's building to an explosive crescendo. I hope I'm not making a SPOILER: but it never really does. Yet - as soon as I finished it, still in that kind of confused state of wanting, I thought back to everything I had just read, the sequence of events, and it all culminated into something so incredibly weighted, with so much depth and magic. I was so strongly taken aback by how genius Gaiman was in how subtle he created such a rich and realized story. It was the most fulfilling experience I've ever had with reading a novel and it has become my favorite novel because of it.

[Ken]

That was my experience too. It is NOT an action book and readers coming to it looking for a thriller (possibly because of the cover art) are in for a disappointment.

[Elentarri]

I finished the book, but I never really "got into it". The concept was great, but in my opinion the execution was rather bland. Maybe I will like it better the next time I read it.... in a few years.

[Mikey]

This is the only Gaiman I've read and perhaps that changes expectations.

I enjoyed the slow-burn of darkness. I didn't spot the twists coming and I liked the dark humour.

OK - it isn't a classic, but it is enjoyable. Stick with it.

[Nutmegger]

Gaiman is like pot, better understood in a group environment.

[Richard]

Patrick has it down. Gaiman's a storyteller of the old-school. The ride is as important as the events.

[Thit]

I was doubtful almost the entire book, but once I was finished I was looked, dang' this shit was awesome!

[Patrick]

I just couldn't force myself to care about the protagonist. The concept was great, the plot was interesting, the gods were all really fascinating, but the books needed a protagonist with a bit more substance.

And, yeah, I know that was part of the point, but that's like opening a sandwich shop called Blandwiches and not putting any spice on them and using only white bread and American cheese. I get the concept, but I won't be going back for more.

I did love "Neverwhere."

[Susan]

OK I am knowledgeable about mythology and I still disliked this book. However I loved the Ocean at the End of the Lane. Maybe it was the tone or the character--??

[Luke]

This book grabbed me within the first few pages. However, after about halfway through, I got bored with it. All the interludes got boring. I was a little disappointed overall because of how many people loved it. I loved his prose, but not his pacing.

[Scott]

I got into it from the very beginning. I only thought it got a bit slow maybe 2/3 of the way in, but then it picked up again towards the end.

[Pickle]

Linda wrote: "Gaiman is like pot, better understood in a group environment."

nonsense...

[Sara]

I enjoyed it from the start, but I love the interwoven mythology references -- may not be for everyone.

[Sonali]

I agree with you totally Sara.

[Juan]

It picked up, for me, when the protagonist meets Mr Wednesday.

[Tian]

It took a second reading for me, but I did enjoy it the second time. The first time was a little bland, and I forgot a lot of what happened toward the middle of the book in the time between readings.

[Wayne]

This is the only Gaiman book I have read AND enjoyed. The premise gripped me initially, and I liked how he did the slow reveal on the characters. Someone posted this was darker and deeper than Gaiman's other books, and that is what I liked about it.

[Carol]

forever

[Addee]

The best part of it was when I returned it to the library. Good riddens!

[Gbolahan]

The book bored me to tears. It wasn't going anywhere and it did. That is, it went nowhere.

[Mike]

ST wrote: "I'm about 130 or so pages in and I am not yet gripped by this novel. Just wondering if it is just slow to develop and keeps getting better or am I just not enjoying it? (hopefully it's not the lat..."

Sorry, it never changes, just sloughs on repeating the same thing over and over about this god and then the next one and then the next one. Beautiful writing, pointless story. I quit because I have better things to do with my time.

[Pudd'nhead]

I'm a big fan of Niel Gaiman. I love this book. I've read it a few times.I say stick with it. Niel is an excellent writer and I really like his style. I must admit he is an acquired taste that may not be for everyone.

I'm the "Never say die" type though. I simply have to finish every book I start. I think this book will grow on you if you like a complex author that makes you think.

[CeeCee]

I started with Neverwhere (amazing), then Anansi Boys (Great), and finally American Gods. I loved the first two so it gave me patience with the third. Later I went on to read the Graveyard Book (also loved.) So, if you end up quitting this book, try Neverwhere.

[Alan Kregness]

American Gods is a tough place to start with Gaiman (even though that's where I started). It's dense, and the plot doesn't really get underway until 1/3 of the way through. Personally, I liked Shadow from the get-go, so I was invested from the beginning despite the slow start. I've read most of Gaiman's other works now, and I'd say Stardust or Ocean at the End of the Lane are the best places to start getting a feel for the types of worlds that Gaiman likes to put his characters in.

[Charlie]

American Gods never took over my life but what you need to do is just relax and let Neil take you on a ride. As an Author he never hurries, he explores and he lets you come along. That's the only way I can describe the way his writing makes me feel.

[Patrick]

Slow and scenic isn't the problem. I like a lot of Neil Gaiman, but I really didn't like American Gods. I never connected with the protagonist, and I just couldn't slog through for a character I didn't care about.