Neil Gaiman’s American Gods: A Book Review

Click the picture to purchase and support.

I have to say that I arrived at Neil Gaiman’s American Gods ashamedly late. That said, the text has done nothing but inspire and enthrall. At the core, the text follows Shadow, a recently paroled convict, as he works for the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, a divine presence who is gathering forces for a divine battle. Behind this conceit rests the interplay of forces that have been gathering in the continent since the era of the land bridge isthmus first brought human life into the area: as the myriad of social groups, ethnicities, and religions have immigrated to the America’s what has become of their gods? With a sharp eye detail, Gaiman crafts an existence where our landscape is riddled with the divine leavings of yesteryear.

Thus Odin, Leprechauns, and monoliths live among us. These creatures, once revered, are still instilled with power, but they are no longer in power. No longer are sacrifices made, no longer are prayers offered, but yet they remain eking out an existence. It is here that Gaiman catches the reader. We can buy this idea. We can accept that once we prayed to Odin and killed in his name, the man came to be here. He occupied and ruled, until that is he didn’t. While Shadow offers a unique take of life, and Gaiman crafts an enthralling yarn that loops throughout existence, the believability factor of the mystical holds one’s attention far longer.

So if you like fantasy, if you enjoy an epic journey and an end of times war, give this novel a shout. Even if you pay too much for STARZ and watch the TV show, either way, the read is worth time.