American Gods

 

American Gods
American Gods
by Authors: Neil Gaiman
Released: 30 April, 2002
ISBN: 0380789035
Paperback

Sales Rank: 2,617
List price: $7.99
Our price: $7.19 (You save: $0.8)
Book > American Gods > Customer Reviews:
  Average Customer Rating:

American Gods > Customer Review #1:
myths and gods beware, gaiman has found you out

i have read some of the reviews of gaimans novel and it is hard for me to understand why so many negative comments have been made. this novel is a deep and literate work that delves into the life of a man who is otherwise lost in his own vices. shadow, the central character, is not 2-dimensional as others might have you believe. rather, he is a fully fleshed-out character who rolls through lifes harsh realities building his character and personality as he goes.

american gods blends fantasy, historical fiction, mythology, and science fiction with an ease that shouldnt be possible. any fan of stephen king would probably find a kindred spirit in the writing of neil gaiman. gaiman obviously enjoys what he does as he molds every character with a love of one who feels on the same level as his creations. he creates rich characters who are neither 2-dimensional nor boring. he fully molds them to pop out of the pages and give a sense of meaning to a beautiful work of fiction.

to those who love a great read, pick this up, and enjoy!



American Gods > Customer Review #2:
Book Review of American Gods

British writer Neil Gaiman seems an unlikely candidate as one who would attempt a novel that seeks out the heart of America because he is not from here. In American Gods, he introduces us to old gods and the modern technological gods of modern life.
Gaiman is experienced in the field of mythology as he has already written several novels pertaining to the topic. He wrote The Sandman, a comic-book series, along with Good Omens, the dark fantasy Neverwhere, Smoke and Mirrors, a collection of short stories and poems, and Stardust.
American Gods revolves around Shadow on an adventure across America. Shadows name describes his character in that while he is likable, kind, and motivated by compassion, he is also troubled. In effect he is a ghost, wondering without purpose.
After serving three years in prison for aggravated assault, Shadow is released to mourn the death of his wife, Laura, and best friend. Homeless, wifeless, friendless, and jobless, Shadow finds his life nonexistent. When a strange old man calling himself Wednesday offers Shadow a job as an errand boy, he has no reason not to accept. Shadow spends much of his time wondering about his role in all this. Lauras ghost comes to him several times and bails him out of trouble.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery in the form of fantasy. And people who are interested in mythical gods can appreciate how they are represented in modern form in American Gods

American Gods > Customer Review #3:
ETBR - American Gods

1. Reflections: When this book was written, it became an immediate bestseller. Previously, Gaiman had only been known for his lengthy and verbose Sandman graphic novels, more of a specialist collection of the strange and beautiful. Why did people respond so well to American Gods?

2. Thematics: American Gods continually claims that the existence of gods is only because we need them, and when we lose the need, they fade into oblivion. Does Gaiman offer any solutions to this problem?

3. Characterization: From the moment we are introduced to him Shadow remains a mystery. As we follow him on his journey, it could be said that he is a walking shadow. Yet there is a deeper significance of his name. What is it?

4. Symbolism: Gaiman asserts that many objects in todays world, such as historical monuments, popular festivals, and contemporary philosophies, had their roots in a pan-theological foundation, or from the hands of many gods. What examples do you see in American Gods? What examples do you see that Gaiman doesnt mention?

5. Authorship: In Gaimans other works, he often writes about similar themes. The gods in the contemporary world, the reality of the dream, the immortal nature of the spirit world, the failing of the gods to appease mortals and thus are forgotten, the mastery of the human over the material but limited in the spiritual: these are all themes be tries to work into his books. In what ways does Gaiman break with his tradition in American Gods? In what ways has his philosophy changed by becoming a novelist?



 
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