American Gods by Neil Gaiman
by Jenners • 06/22/2012 • 3.5 Stars, A Titles, Audiobook, Fiction, G Authors, Paranormal • 48 Comments
American Gods written by Neil Gaiman and read by a full cast Publisher: Harper Audio, 2011 Length: 19 hours and 39 minutes Genre: Fiction, Fantasy/Paranormal Where I Got It: Downloaded it from Audible Why I Read It: Wanted to finally hear what the big fuss was about Neil Gaiman My Rating: 3.5 stars
In Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, every immigrant to America brings with them the gods of their homeland. As the country has grown, however, these gods have been forgotten. New gods—the gods of railroads, cars, media and computers—have arisen and taken their place and their power. But the old gods—stuck in this land that isn’t made for gods—won’t go down without a fight. Mr. Wednesday is attempting to organize the old gods for the coming battle with the new gods. To help him, he’s recruited Shadow—a man whose release from prison coincides with the death of his beloved wife Laura. With nothing left to lose, Shadow agrees to work for Wednesday and finds himself embarking on a long strange trip to some of the holy places of America—all the while catching glimpses into the “backstage” world of the gods.
I’ve been hearing about Neil Gaiman ever since I started blogging and made a mental note to try one of his books. So when Audible had a special on The Tenth Anniversary Edition of American Gods with a full-cast recording, I decided to take the leap into Gaiman land. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this long rambling book wasn’t it. Perhaps it was the fact that the book was too many things at once: a long road trip, a fantasy book with every mythological creature you’ve ever heard of, a murder mystery, a love story, a commentary on America, a history lesson.
The most interesting aspect of the book was the incarnations of the various gods in their “Americanized” form. If nothing else, the book made me want to run out and purchase a book of myths to learn more about the various incarnations of the gods that immigrants brought with them to America. I’m sure that a really good background on various myths from a variety of countries would greatly enhance the reading experience. (Note: After typing the previous sentence, I found this web site which provides basic information on the gods referenced in the book. Reading through it, I realize that having this information would have made a real difference in my appreciation and enjoyment of the book! In fact, just reading through the web site and seeing what Gaiman has done, is now retroactively making me change my opinion about the book.)
I know that Gaiman first came to prominence with the Sandman graphic novels, and if ever a book cried out for illustrations, American Gods is it. In fact, I think this book would have totally rocked as a graphic novel. The visuals were easy to conjure up in my mind, and as I listened, I was almost picturing such a book in my head.
In the end, I think a really good grounding in mythology would make this a much richer and deeper read/listen. You cannot just go into this book without any knowledge or you’ll find that, on the surface, it is a long and meandering book that can begin to get frustrating. However, if you have a good grounding in mythology (or at least browse through the web site I linked to above before reading), the book might come alive for you in a way that it didn’t for me during my 19 hours of listening.
About the Narration
I love listening to books that have multiple narrators. It makes the book come alive in a very different way. Also, in a long listen like this one, having different voices added variety and interest. It also helped me keep track of who was talking as I got to know the voices of the main characters. Still, all things considered, I think I would have preferred an annotated and illustrated print version of the book (not that such a version exists—but what an awesome idea for the 20th anniversary of the book!!!)
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I listened to this one for the exact same reasons you did. However, I Googled all of the gods while I was listening and was definitely more appreciative of the narrative after that. I thought it was a fascinating juxtaposition of so many different types of stories. I love how he used kitschy Americana as portals to the godly realm. I’ve been to Lookout Mountain and now live within two hours of House on the Rock! God bless the USA!
I have started this book several times but still haven’t finished it… One day!
I could easily make a case for abandoning it if you haven’t been able to power through already.
I love that you didn’t love this because I feel guilty for not having read more of Gaiman!
Isn’t it weird to feel guilty for not loving a particular author more?
If we agree on this — as we agree, after all, on almost EVERYTHING, don’t we! — you’re just not going to figure out what the big deal about Neil Gaiman is. I haven’t.
Well, I’m going to try a book or two more to see what is up with him but I’m hearing from people who know my tastes (like you) that I won’t.
I loved this one, but agree that some knowledge of myth is helpful going into it. When my son read the Rick Riordan Lightning Thief series, he had already read D’Adelaire’s Greek Myth, and when he started the next Riordan series, he got himself a book about Egyptian mythology. Loki, the Trickster, Anansi in African myth, and Coyote in Native American stories are my favorites. There’s a trickster figure in the Supernatural TV series and those are my favorite episodes, when he appears!
A good grounding in mythology would have been very very helpful. Even with my dusty memories, I got some of it but much much more was lost on me.
Total geek confession:
When I read this (and it was awhile ago…as in pre-blog), I spent way too many hours making the connections between the modern day and original gods. Some of them were pretty obscure!
I’ll say!! When I found that web site, I realized he must have done a ton of research to write this book.
Doesn’t sound like the normal Gaiman stuff… but interesting.
I’d like to read Coraline – it was such a good film.
That is what I’m finding out … I guessed I didn’t pick the right book to start with and learn about this whole Gaiman worship.
I went into this book with a little bit of knowledge of mythology and it was the mythology related parts I liked best. However, like you, I think he was trying to do too much in this book. I do endorse the other comments about trying “The Graveyard Book” which I liked a lot more. I’m not really into scifi/fantasy, so the fact that I finished two of his works is a big accomplishment for me.
The mythology was the most interesting part. I liked trying to “guess” who was who and remember what I’d learned before. Still, I didn’t love the book. I’m curious to try The Graveyard Book. That seems to be the consensus of where I should go next.
i constantly hear rave reviews about neil but to date have only seen coraline, a movie based on one of his graphic novels. i did try to get into graphic novels but struggle with the genre. i’m not sure that even narration of this book would do it for me. i found coraline deeply unsettling and morose. i’m all about humor and cheer.
I like unsettling and morose at times … perhaps Coraline is a better fit for me.
I didn’t think this book was long or rambling but I wouldn’t recommend it to first time Gaiman readers either. It’s a perfect example of ONE of the kinds of writing he does but not his most accessible. And, to be honest, I’m not sure that you will connect with any of his books. They don’t seem like the best fit with what you like to read. I think The Graveyard Book might have the best chance though. I would try that next and then if you don’t connect with it, he’s just not for you. (And I’m sure you realize that it makes me sad to say that!)
It does seem I made an error with picking this book. I figured if they made such a big deal about the 10th anniversary edition, it was one of his bigger and better books. Thanks for the guidance … though I suspect you may be right that he isn’t a good match for me. : )
Maybe if I’d listened on audio, I would have liked it better, but honestly, I was just bored when I read this. :/
Nah … I don’t know if listening would have made it better to be honest.
I really liked this one, but I can understand your concerns about it. I didn’t love Anansi Gods as much and part of that, I think, is because I am not as familiar with the Trickster. But I loved the whole premise of American Gods being about the gods trying to get a big win by finding more believers- it was so interesting o me!
I love Neverwhere the most, though
As I realized more what Gaiman was doing with all the various gods, I appreciated it more. But going in cold like I did was disconcerting. Thanks for the recommendation of Neverwhere.
confession: I have never read a Neil Gaiman book. There, I’ve said it out loud. I keep meaning to, then I don’t. I think I might try the Graveyard Book first.
I felt just like you. But I wish I’d chosen a shorter and more reader-friendly book first — like The Graveyard Book.
I haven’t read any Gaiman, either. Seems like Coraline is the one I’ve heard to try.
It seems so. That one or the Graveyard Book. I picked a doozy to start with.
Most of what I know about mythology is due to the Percy Jackson books.
I haven’t read any of Gaiman’s books, but I could see reading this one if they made it into a graphic novel. Hopefully they’ll be inspired to do so soon. 
I kind of hope they do … it really lends itself to that. If I could draw, I’d love to put down on paper some of the things I was imagining while listening.
I think you already know I’m a big Gaiman fan, but I hope this one doesn’t put you off the rest of his work. It’s not a great place to start (although it was my first of his books as well). I think, knowing a bit of your taste, that you would really enjoy Stardust.
Thanks for the guidance. I figured with the 10th Anniversary Edition of this book, it was his masterpiece. Perhaps I was wrong!!!
I agree that I too wonder if Gaiman is ‘all that’…but you lost me at long and rambling.
I know!! Don’t you want to see what all the hype is about? But I wouldn’t start with this one …
I’ve also been curious about his books due to the hype surrounding them but I’ve never picked up Amy others other than Coraline which I did like. Not sure I could do 19 hrs worth though. Lol.
Yeah … 19 hours was a slog. Probably not the best place to start. I think I’ll try Coraline or The Graveyard Book or short stories next.
Not an author I’ve ever read though there are several of his books sitting on our shelves.
Sorry to read that this didn’t add up to its reputation for you, perhaps another of his books would be more to your taste.
It seems that I didn’t choose the best one to start with.
I would have to brush up on my mythology because I really don’t remember much. I’ve read a few by Neil Gaiman, but more of the children’s books like Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. I like his writing well enough, but I just don’t connect to it in the same way that other people have. He has yet to really blow me away. I would like to eventually try this one.
I’m wondering if I will connect with him like some people or if he just isn’t my cup of tea. I’m open to trying some others like the ones you mentioned but I’m wondering if he just isn’t up my alley.
Oh too bad. My sons read and re read Neil’s stuff, I have yet to take the plunge.
Well, I wouldn’t necessarily start with this one.
You took the Gaiman plunge!
I feel the same way about the book, too many things going on at once, but I have to say in the end it was definitely worth reading. His short stories are better. If you ever come across “Snow, Glass, Apples”, give it a try.
Glad to see you’re back.
I remember you mentioning that story before. I’ll give him another try as there are just too many people out there who worship his writing and I need to know why!!!!!
I listened to this one too and, while I enjoyed the ensemble casting, I felt pretty much the same way as you about the book. Maybe our expectations were too high or it doesn’t translate well to audio, but I couldn’t figure out what all the fuss was about. I enjoyed Gaiman’s book Coraline so much more.
I’m hearing that this isn’t necessarily the best place to start. But I thought if they made such a big deal with the 10th anniversary edition, it was one of his better ones. Seems I was wrong!! : )
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