Book Review - FictionAmerican Gods (2001)
by Neil Gaiman
The day Shadow is released from prison after serving three years for assault, he learns that his wife and best friend were killed in an unusual car accident earlier that morning while preparing his welcome home party. Now with no wife, and no job prospects, he comes under the employment (decided by coin-flip) as a bodyguard for a mysterious, yet flambouyant old grifter who introduces himself simply as Mr. Wednesday.
Suddenly, Shadow is thrown into a strange world of old gods, new gods, culture heroes, magical creatures, etc., that have been brought over to the New World in the minds of immigrants, or have arisen in America's own unique culture. Very soon, he finds himself in the middle of a fast-approaching war between the old and the new, and must decide what his part in all of it will be.
Who are these strange people Shadow must meet? Who is Shadow, and why are people after him? Who is Mr. Wednesday, and why is Shadow so important to him? Why must he be hidden for months in Lakeside, Michigan? How has Shadow's wife, Laura, arisen in a state of undead? Can Shadow fulfill his promise to bring her back to life?
American Gods is a very quick, very smooth read; one that I could hardly manage to put down for long. Many parts of it are fun and light-hearted, and others dark and disturbing. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone, although it certainly could have been much better. I particularly found the resolution lacking. But it is an interesting tale, and it was enjoyable reading about the variety of beliefs in American history, and how "gods" reluctantly come and go. This book certainly isn't in the "essential" category, but it was close. Give it a try. B+
Past Book Reviews:
9. Apathy and Other Small Victories (2006) by Paul Neilan 7/10/2006
8. Gotham Central Vol. 1: In The Line of Duty (2004) by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka & Michael Lark 7/8/2006
7. Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (2002) by Joseph J. Ellis 7/4/2006
6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (2003) by Mark Haddon 6/27/2006
5. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000) by Michael Chabon 6/25/2006
4. State of Fear (2004) by Michael Crichton 6/15/2006
3. Interpreter of Maladies (1999) by Jhumpa Lahiri 6/12/2006
2. Confederacy of Dunces (1980) by John Kennedy Toole 6/1/2006
1. Novel Without A Name (1995) Duong Thu Huong 4/22/2006
