Book Review: American Gods

Just finished reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. It was published back in '02, so it's not the newest book on the block but it's recent enough and interesting enough I'd thought I'd stick it up here.

American Gods follows the story of a man named Shadow. (His mother must've wanted him to get beat up in school.) Shadow is released from a short stint in prison, only to find his beloved wife was killed in a car wreck only a day or two before his release. Lost and alone in the world, he accepts a job as bodyguard and errand-boy for the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday, an aging con-man who has as many secrets as he has lies.

In his travels, Shadow finds out that gods and legends of old roam America. Odin, Anubis, leprechauns, dwarves, Loa, and a multitude more hide in plain sight throughout the country; brought over by immigrants through belief alone. And before long he ends up caught in a war of the divinities, the old gods versus the gods of modern day: the gods of Television, the Internet, cars, and technology.

The book is a highly unusual and interesting read, but is not without its faults. The premise is actually quite good, but the execution is at times fairly confusing and hard to follow. I can definitely see the meandering style as a major put-off to some people, but for those who decide to be patient enough to follow it (which may include some re-reading at points) will be pleased for the most part.

The disjointedness of the book, however, leads to an equally disjointed and somewhat dissatisfying ending, at least in my mind. The problem is not exactly solved, per se, but rather it just sort of goes away. And it's not the fact that it's not a happy ending that bothers me as much as it's not even bittersweet. Gods are dead, people are dead, and nothing really happens from it. It also reminds me a bit of the ending of Lord of the Rings. Not that it's anywhere near as good as Tolkien's epic, but it reminds me of it because of the way it ends. First, the problem is solved and the story ends. And then, it ends again. And then it ends again. And then again. Every time you think "Okay, it has to be over..." it's not. It just won't wrap up!

The literary digressions can also be a bit of a nuisance. Gaiman fits in secondary tales with very little bearing on the main plot. Two or so are interesting, but the rest just slow the story down.

But despite it's flaws, the story still managed to suck me it. Shadow has an interesting run: His wife returns from the dead (only she's still dead), he has a barfight with a Leprechaun, robs an ATM with Odin, sings Karaoke with African spider-god Anansi, and enjoys the "company" of the Egyptian goddess Bast... not to mention he has to deal with the goddess of television hijacking every TV show he watches to try to get him to switch sides, while Men-in-Black (who exist only because people believe they exist) hound his every step.

A more experienced reader with a love for mythology and strange stories will really enjoy American Gods. Less patient readers and those without much interest in old religions will probably be put off, and may possibly think Mr. Gaiman was smoking something when he wrote this.

I, however, enjoyed it. My grade is a B- (or rather, a C+ with a few extra points for originality and effort).

Rock on, kids.