American Gods - book discussion

[TickTock]

I read this recently and am interested in getting an Americans perspective. It was written by an Englishman, Neil Gaiman, who lives in America. The basic premise is that America being a cosmopolitan young nation has old world gods brought from other lands. Then there are the new gods who have risen out of technology. These two schools are at war and it is all played out with an ex convict recently released from Prison, as the central character. He essentially grounds the fantasy elements of the story. Shadow, as he is called, learns the goings on along with the reader and it doesn't always make sense. But the style of the author is very enjoyable, and makes a long book into a short read.

 

[corey_vann]

I've tried reading this book a couple of times but never get passed the first meet up between odin and the other gods at the tourist attraction. I can comfortably admit the description of them teleporting or whatever was to difficult for me to follow. I've read all the Sandman comics and absolutely love them, as well as other comics written by Gaiman. I view him as a modern fairy-tale writer and he has an amazing imagination. I do think another reason I had such a difficult time with American Gods is because I had the same idea when I was 8, and I still haven't forgiven him for stealing my idea.

 

[Sinmara]

I love this book.

The backwards birth scene was creepy.

 

[corey_vann]

Ok. Maybe I'll have to try again.

 

[Geoff]

it's a great book. it influenced me... I guess.. I keep meaning to go back to it and see how!

 

[TickTock]

I've tried reading this book a couple of times but never get passed the first meet up between odin and the other gods at the tourist attraction. I can comfortably admit the description of them teleporting or whatever was to difficult for me to follow. I've read all the Sandman comics and absolutely love them, as well as other comics written by Gaiman. I view him as a modern fairy-tale writer and he has an amazing imagination. I do think another reason I had such a difficult time with American Gods is because I had the same idea when I was 8, and I still haven't forgiven him for stealing my idea.

Yeah, I found that part to be the weakest in the whole book. It wasn't that it was too abstract but that it wasn't very well thought out. It's worth getting through if you enjoyed the other parts.