Name: American Gods [TV Tie-In]
Rating: 4.101449275362318 (1035 reviews)
ISBN: 9780062572110

Neil Gaiman

A Novel

American Gods [TV Tie-In]

Draculelle

“What I say is, a town isn't a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it's got a bookstore, it knows it's not fooling a soul."

High Fidelity

Then I started reading history books, and Jesus isn't real. And it's like everything that made the world anything more than what it is is just-- is just stories.

Jordan

The people had the glazed, beaten look you only see in airports and prisons. If Hell is other people, thought Shadow, then Purgatory is airports. 

Annabelle Gauthier

Because it's easier to pass for real, in the dark. And I don't want to have to pass. I want to be alive."

"I’ll do it." said Shadow. "No," said Mr. Nancy. "Yes," said Shadow. The two old men were silent. Then Nancy said, "Why?" "Because it's the kind of thing a living person would do," said Shadow. You are crazy" said Czernobog.

They drove on in silence. Shadow felt that he'd done something very big and very strange, and he wasn't certain exactly what it was.

Sorry guys this chapter is just really up my alley

He felt like two people, or more than two. There was part of him that felt gently exhilarated: he had done something. He had moved. It wouldn't have mattered if he hadn't wanted to live, but he did want to live, and that made all the difference. He hoped he would live through this, but he was willing to die, if that was what it took to be alive.

Author's Preferred Text

American Gods

Alex Addams 

I can still remember picking up American Gods at the age of 21 when it was first released. As it sometimes goes with certain books, films or albums it was not the time for the book to become a part of my life. After reading the first chapters of the book I felt overwhelmed by it's richness and diverse ideas. Not until now, after acquiring my own ideas and concepts and understanding of life, have I been able to fully appreciate Gaiman's masterpiece. American Gods is a book rich in themes. The book's subject matter dealing with the concept of gods and godliness, to the mysteries surrounding the American highway and it's assortment of roadside attractions, to the tragedy of love, life and death and finally to the enigmatic realms of dreams is more engaging and intriguing than any piece of essential fiction I've ever read. Perhaps what appealed to me most of all while reading American Gods was that the book felt like something I imagine I could write, at least in concept. Gaiman's skilled penmanship is obviously linguistically and idealistically far superior to anything I could ever conceive of. The book has served as inspiration for me and has become a personal catalyst of sorts for the beginning of my own writing. Only time will tell if I shall succeed in completing my own novel but it won't be for lack of trying. I would like to thank Neil Gaiman for his body of work from Coraline, to the more recent, the Graveyard Book, which never ceases to fuel the fires of my imagination. American Gods shall forever find a spot in my short list of favourite novels.

Jess

I wanted to review this book, but I don't think I can...it's just so much to cover that I don't even know where to begin! Incredible, unique story! I cannot wait to see it adapted for television, which should be soon! Thanks, HBO!

Tim Pendry

As winner of the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, SFX and Locus Awards, this dark fantasy road trip raised a lot of expectations. They are largely fulfilled. Gaiman is a little defensive in an associated interview about being a Briton who deigns to comment on America. But he has no need to be. He is not commenting on what America is but what it believes itself to be - that belief is so freely expressed to the world through American cultural dominance that anyone can enter into its spirit surprisingly easily who is prepared to spend significant time in, and travel through, the country (as Gaiman has done). Nevertheless, be in no doubt, unlike Stephen King, this is still a European looking in on America. As always with such books, we need to make an effort to avoid spoilers here on GoodReads. Deep analysis of a story that owes something to King yet cannot be called derivative is not appropriate. What we can say is that Gaiman bases his fantasy (not truly science fiction nor horror despite the Awards) on the simple 'spiritual' proposition that if we believe in something enough, then it becomes real in the world precisely to the extent that we do believe in it. The history of man, in this essentially pagan world-view, is the history of the rise and fall of its gods. These gods include not only ancient gods as we would understand them from history but the tools of later civilisation such as the railways, and now the media and internet, all become socially constructed as real persons who, in this book, can exist in the world. The conceit of the book is that immigrants brought memories and beliefs of their gods to the New World where they became revised and derivative realities appropriate to their experience. The nature of North American culture places these beings under intolerable pressure. Instead of offering an honourable retirement in their original homelands, American progress pushes them down to the underclass as low-lifes, the marginalised and as criminals while the gods of the internet and modernisation ride around in limousines supported by the shadow agencies of the elite. This makes it sound as if the book has some political sub-text. This would be a misrepresentation. It is, like its time in history (written just before 9/11), passive and non-judgemental. Gaiman observes rather than judges, even has sympathy for the position of all the players in the game with a very English bias towards the underdog even when the underdog is a killer - albeit with a clear anger towards man's inhumanity to man. Gaiman has some sympathy for but is not sentimental about the old gods. The new gods, in turn, will pass one day, to be displaced from their high place in public estimation and so access to the good things in life (whatever the mode of sacrifice) by yet newer gods. These are memes made flesh. Perhaps Gaiman just appreciates the humanity within the old gods as they scrabble for their livelihoods and some semblance of power at the bottom of society. If anything it is a humanist book - in which the heroes are not the gods at all but common men, not necessarily very bright but with a fundamental decency, buffeted by circumstances and manipulated by persons who never are what they appear to be. There is Shadow himself, his zombie wife Laura, local police chief Chad Mulligan - all ignorant creatures of forces beyond their control. This is a common man who craves tranquillity from not understanding what is going on, even to the extent of craving non-existence at times as a final relief, but who can be transformed by bad experiences and by the ability to take existential risk. Gaiman captures the psychology of change well, especially the 'forgetting' that happens (of the experience of change) so that a new state can be lived without constant reference back to the old through an unwanted constant remembrance of the transformation itself. The social reality of America can be grim. The improvements that come from making obeisance to the god of the moment (there is an important sub-plot related to the perfect Mid-Western town of Lakeside that would be a cliche if it were not so well drawn) always have a price. The price paid by humanity for what the gods give is perhaps what concerns Gaiman (reading between the lines) more than the gods themselves. These latter are closer to the Greek than the Judaeo-Christian model - creatures who may be cruel or kind as whim and sentiment take them. They simply crave being believed in and noticed (through 'sacrifice'). We are just their pawns if they notice us as useful - at least until they cease to exist at all. Gaiman originally came to prominence as a creative comic book writer (sorry, graphic novel author). That genre encourages the cultural magpie, creating new hybrids out of old material - hence the never-ending developments and cross-overs in universes such as those of DC Comics or Marvel or the almost encyclopedic knowledge of popular cultural forms that you find in Alan Moore or, indeed Neil Gaiman's, work. It is a tendency is to be found in this book too, although, unusually since the visualisation of comic books enables the self-referential and cultural cherry-picking to be buried in a context that the written word can often make trite, it works. An annotator could make references back to American popular fiction and culture on almost every page but Gaiman makes the story stick because he is good at characterisation, because he makes many of the references allusive rather than sticking any cleverness down your throat and because he holds to his theme of confidence trickery, misdirection and stage management from the very first to the very last pages with consummate skill. This is what makes the book worth reading and worth the Awards. It is no mean trick for a writer to make us believe that the gods might actually exist and be living in your neighbourhood. (This particular edition is the author's preferred text. Not having read the others, I cannot judge whether this is an improvement on the published original but there seem to be no self-indulgences.)

varsha venkat

literally my favorite gaiman book, i've reread it so many times

Since it was first published, American Gods became an instant classic. Now discover the mystery and majesty of American Gods in this beautiful reissue of the Author's Preferred Text edition. Featuring a new preface by Neil Gaiman in honor of the novel's 20th anniversary, this commemorative volume is a true celebration of a modern masterpiece. 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 a 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.

Fantastic book. I started this book the day my grandfather died and went through the process (and still am) of grief while Shadow did. Love how everything comes full circle in the end, was quite literally a “trust the process” book though I loved the journey to get there.

Dylan Starr

   The extraordinary epic novel from storytelling genius and international bestseller Neil Gaiman. Now brought vividly to life for TV in the highly acclaimed, Emmy-nominated Amazon Prime video seriesstarring Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane and Emily Browning. For fans of Good Omens and His Dark Materials. 'Gaiman is a treasure-house of story and we are lucky to have him' Stephen King After three years in prison, Shadow has served his time. But as the days and hours until his release tick away, he can feel a storm brewing. Two days before his release date, his wife Laura dies in a mysterious car crash, in adulterous circumstances. Dazed, Shadow travels home, only to encounter the bizarre Mr Wednesday, who claims to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America. Together they embark on a very strange journey across the States, along the way solving the murders which have occurred every winter in one small American town. But the storm is about to break . . . Disturbing, gripping and profoundly strange, Gaiman's epic novel sees him on the road to the heart of America.

American Gods #1

this was such an unusual read. first of all I absolutely loved the plot and the world building however I felt like the end was a bit anticlimactic. I understand that was the point but knowing that doesn't shake the feeling that it is unfinished. I really enjoyed this book and do (unfortunately) enjoy all of Neil Gaiman's works but just a very interesting and unusual read.

Soph

Idk man it was really good but I’m still stuck on the fact I got epilogued thrice

I loved. Hard to go wrong with mythical themes and imagery I think, but loved the twists in the story and how they were just unconventional enough to surprise me. Maybe this will break my book slump, who knows 

Terra Ganey

Patrick Book

For some reason I expected something very pretentious, but this was a really phenomenal, imaginative story. I really enjoyed it.

Danny Pallett

Hanna Rybchynska

AVISO: este livro, como a série deve ser assistida pelos indivíduos com mais de 18 anos.

Sei que já publiquei sobre a série, mas eu decidi ler também o livro. E para ser sincera as coisas no livro são um pouco diferentes. Acho que, por ser uma série, eles tentaram explorar mais o universo dos Deuses, por isso é que a história é um pouco diferente. Falando realmente do livro, eu já tinha começado a lê-lo antes de conhecer sobre a série e para ser sincera, foi muito difícil acompanha-lo. É tão complexo e cheio de vida, que perdi-me um pouco. Mas depois vi a série e percebi que tinha mesmo que acabar o livro. 

A história ronda à volta do Shadow Moon, um homem que está preso por agressão e quem deixou a mulher sozinha em casa quase à 3 anos. Tudo muda, quando os polícias decidem que deviam liberta-lo mais cedo, porque pelos vistos à mulher dele morreu num acidente de carro. Desiludido e perdido da vida, Shadow apanha o avião e vai para à casa. Durante a sua viagem, conhece o Wednesday - um homem misterioso mas ao mesmo tempo conhecido, que lhe oferece um emprego - ser o guarda costas pessoal. Shadow, não tendo nada a perder aceita isso e a vida dele muda completamente. Ele percebe que vem uma tempestade, uma guerra esta entre os Deuses, Deuses antigos e Deuses novos, aqueles que foram trazidos para América e os que foram criados individualmente nas cidades. Tudo está por um triz, e o Shadow não sabe o que está a fazer no meio disso.

Já conheciam o livro? Ou a série? Tencionam ler ou acham aborrecido??

first 500 pages of fuckery made up for by the ending. still i enjoyed the fuckery even while i had no idea what was the end point was. a strange and expansive kaleidoscope of history, myth and geography. 

iris 

Sarah Sammis

Re-reading with the most excellent George Guidall at the helm. 

It's a better audio than print book but I'm just not in the mood for it right now.

Vicky  Nuñez 

There is not better description for this book than the one provided by the author himself, "a big and odd and meandering book."

American Gods is about a convict who is released a few days early because of the death of his wife. On his flight back to his home he meets a strange man who hires him to be his bodyguard. This plunges him into the world of gods and strange beings. 
Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller who knows how to meld complex, well known characters and an urban setting into this strange book. 

 This book personifies modern cultural ideas into beings and is gloriously smart. Its biggest fault is how it sometimes it goes off into tangents, but it is also its biggest strength and quirk.

I wished I had enjoyed it more, but I found my attention wandering off the pages, just like the plot did sometimes.
But it's definitely enjoyable and its incredible ending more than makes up for the trippy ride.

Annotated American Gods

Reading this again with the annotations was so cool. Very fun learning more about all the gods and seeing a lot of stuff that was cut from the original text. Most disappointing part was the Backstage spider. I was hoping for any amount of information on it and there wasn’t a single annotation. I want to know more! Still one of my fave books.

Eli Alvah Huckabee

Bern de Belen

Marie

I've first read this book when I was nineteen. Now, at age 29, it was finally time to read it again and it was every bit as amazing as the first (and second and third) time. Having visited the US many times since I've read this book last, I think I gained an ever deeper understanding for its mythology. Mind blown.

Released from prison, Shadow finds his world turned upside down. His wife has been killed; a mysterious stranger offers him a job. But Mr. Wednesday, who knows more about Shadow than is possible, warns that a storm is coming -- a battle for the very soul of America . . . and they are in its direct path.

One of the most talked-about books of the new millennium, American Gods is a kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth and across an American landscape at once eerily familiar and utterly alien. It is, quite simply, a contemporary masterpiece.
--back cover

Laura Mauler

This may just be one of my favorite books.

Neil gaiman’s writing is so interesting and singular. Almost a devoid unemotionally unbiased narrator in a story filled with confused feelings. I loved the use of Americas tourist traps and the beauty of looking in on the religions and gods that followed americas immigrants. Made America almost beautiful but also devastatingly disappearing.

Jehan Chawla

Re read of this book was so good. The thing I loved the most was how Gaiman showcased ancient Gods in their modern counterparts.The gods are indeed the best part of this very good book: degenerate and threadbare, yet still gods, capable of inspiring both allegiance and terror.It's not as twisty/turny surprise-y as it was when I read it last time, but it more than makes up for it with the new thematic things I have the headspace to think about.

César Steven Toribio

I met the gods, or are they the Gods? I am not sure, but I know I met them. And I knew them, and they talked to me, and I was able to see them for who they are. And each god had its own way, its own path, its own existence and its own death. The gods are not infinite but limited and malleable, and human.

After three years in prison, Shadow Moon is free to go home. But hours before his release, his beloved wife is killed in a freak accident. Numbly, he boards a plane where he meets an enigmatic stranger who seems to know Shadow and claims to be an ancient god - and king of America.

Together they embark on a profoundly strange road trip across the USA, encountering a kaleidoscopic cast of characters along the way. But all around them a storm of unnatural proportions is gathering.

War is coming, an epic struggle for the very soul of America. And Shadow is standing squarely in its path.

A pleasant read that took me on a journey through America. It was wonderfully written and despite being such a large book was paced well

American Gods [TV Tie-In] A Novel

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