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Just finished American Gods
Posted on 10/20/23 at 2:45 pm
Posted on 10/20/23 at 2:45 pm
Didn't see what all the hype was about. There were times when I thought things were going to get really interesting but then everything just fizzled out in the final chapters. Still enjoyed it but was a let down.
7
Posted on 10/20/23 at 2:49 pm to Bloodworth
I’ve started it a couple of times. Just wasn’t for me.
Posted on 10/20/23 at 3:07 pm to sorantable
Me either. The guy that wrote that book is either on drugs or has serious issues.
Posted on 10/20/23 at 5:04 pm to LEASTBAY
Posted on 10/20/23 at 7:06 pm to LEASTBAY
It sucks because I’ve got friends that I greatly respect who continue to recommend it to me. Makes me feel like an idiot. 
Posted on 10/20/23 at 7:43 pm to sorantable
quote:
It sucks because I’ve got friends that I greatly respect who continue to recommend it to me. Makes me feel like an idiot.
It’s an interesting story that will hook you early on. However it just didn’t unfold in a satisfying way in the final chapters. Just my opinion.
Posted on 10/20/23 at 9:41 pm to Bloodworth
quote:
It’s an interesting story that will hook you early on. However it just didn’t unfold in a satisfying way in the final chapters. Just my opinion.
That's how I felt. I kept waiting for the story to turn a corner and keep me hooked where I finish it at 3 in the morning. That never happened.
Posted on 10/20/23 at 10:01 pm to Bloodworth
I felt the main character’s inner monologue was too artsy for his type. A brutish ex-con isn’t gonna see things as Shakespeare would. It didn’t match.
The bit about the guy’s wife dying with her lover’s severed penis in her mouth after getting into an auto accident while blowing him read as if written by a teenaged virgin.
The bit about the guy’s wife dying with her lover’s severed penis in her mouth after getting into an auto accident while blowing him read as if written by a teenaged virgin.
Posted on 10/21/23 at 12:33 pm to Bloodworth
I agree. Forced myself to finish it. Never was able to get into Gaiman.
Posted on 10/21/23 at 1:05 pm to Bloodworth
I thought it was brilliant. Great commentary about the things that we're obsessed with then and now. I'm a big Neil Gaiman fan. Anyone who liked this book should follow it up with Anansi Boys. Mr. Nancy from American Gods is in that. I also did the books on tape for American Gods, which was awesome with a different voice actor for each character. Maybe that was a different experience than reading it.
Posted on 10/21/23 at 3:05 pm to sorantable
quote:
sucks because I’ve got friends that I greatly respect who continue to recommend it to me. Makes me feel like an idiot.
I'm a fan of Gaiman, and I found American Gods to be pretty average. There are some pretty cool ideas and characters in there, but the overall story and ending are fairly mediocre to me.
It's not nearly on the same level as Sandman, Stardust, or Neverwhere for me.
Posted on 10/21/23 at 10:04 pm to Bloodworth
I had the same reaction, I was disappointed in AG given its hype. I do like Gaiman in general and love The Sandman, but this one just wasn’t for me. Even my favorite authors have some works like that, so it happens.
Posted on 10/23/23 at 6:57 pm to auyushu
quote:
There are some pretty cool ideas and characters in there, but the overall story and ending are fairly mediocre to me.
It's not nearly on the same level as Sandman, Stardust, or Neverwhere for me.
It's not really the style that suits Gaiman the best and I agree that the books you mentioned are somewhat better. But I really enjoyed American Gods as the style was basically a tribute to old school Roger Zelazny which I really loved many decades ago in my youth. Zelazny was a master at blending mythology, fantasy, and science fiction. And not coincidently the older Zelazny was friends with and influenced a younger Gaiman (and GRR Martin). The ending wasn't all that satisfying but typical of the kind of thing that Zelazny did in the Amber series. The ending also felt like a bit of a nod to the Illuminatus series which is really fun. As has been said the audiobook version is excellent with all the different narrators. It may not be the best Gaiman but it's still a very enjoyable book to me.
Posted on 10/23/23 at 10:26 pm to Tigris
quote:
But I really enjoyed American Gods as the style was basically a tribute to old school Roger Zelazny which I really loved many decades ago in my youth.
Can't say it really reminded me of Zelazny at all, and Zelazny is one of my favorites.
Honestly I'd say Neverwhere or Stardust would be closer to Zelazny style stuff to me. I guess I could see some similarities between Shadow and the son in the second Amber series, but other than that I can't see it.
I think American Gods is frustrating because there is a great book in there, it just doesn't quite hit the mark.
This post was edited on 10/23/23 at 10:28 pm
Posted on 10/24/23 at 3:40 pm to auyushu
I thought Shadow and Corwin were pretty similar characters in that neither one really understands what is going on around them. Because of their bloodlines both are caught up in the middle of a struggle between groups with special powers, and have to figure things out as the story progresses. Zelazny drops mythological references throughout the Amber series, and REALLY gets into mythology in Creatures of Light and Darkness, and Lord of Light which is probably my favorite sci-fi book. Gaiman makes a direct reference to Lord of Light in American Gods by mimicking the scene in which Sam is trying to focus on life after being brought back. And maybe I was influenced by the fact that American Gods is co-dedicated to Zelazny.
Posted on 10/24/23 at 11:07 pm to Tigris
quote:
and Lord of Light which is probably my favorite sci-fi book.
Yeah, that's probably my favorite sci Fi novel of all time as well.
I don't really consider mythological references a real connection, just because that is so commonplace in fantasy. Though Lord of Light is certainly similar there.
I honestly don't remember the scenes being the same that you referenced, but it's been a long time since I read American Gods (since it came out basically), and I think I may have read it before I read Lord of Light.
Corwin is just so awesome and Shadow is such a bland, boring character I have a hard time making a comparison.
Posted on 10/25/23 at 1:27 pm to Bloodworth
It's a good read but not one of Gaiman's better novels. The middle has a very long lull in it that takes patience to trudge through. Overall I really liked the story though.
Posted on 11/2/23 at 11:06 am to Bloodworth
quote:
Didn't see what all the hype was about.
Completely agree. Not a bad book, but nothing special.
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