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Anne's Reviews > American Gods
American Gods
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by
Anne's review
bookshelves: neil-gaiman, mythology, read-in-2014, urban-fantasy, audio, read-in-2020, libby-app
Apr 13, 2009
bookshelves: neil-gaiman, mythology, read-in-2014, urban-fantasy, audio, read-in-2020, libby-app
Read 2 times. Last read July 8, 2020 to July 17, 2020.
Audiobook re-read 2020
I'm sticking with my original rating, but only because the voice cast is simply amazing. If you're on the fence about this version of the book, I'd highly suggest listening to it. It's long, it rambles, and it doesn't go anywhere very interesting. The actual plot of this book could have filled 100 pages, while the other 500 pages read like a mythological travelogue of the United States. There's nothing wrong with that, and it was exactly what Gaiman set out to do. I'm just letting you know upfront what you're getting yourself into because (even with the fantastic voices) I almost DNF'd this audiobook every single day for a week or so. I had to keep reminding myself that nothing lasts forever and this too shall pass. Plus, I couldn't quite remember how it all turned out in the end and maybe there was something cool waiting for me that I'd forgotten.
Eh.
At some point, I'm planning to listen to the original version of the book that his editor got hold of and see how it compares. This version was for me at best a rambly 2 to 2.5 star book. The audio is fantastic, though.
Easily a 5 star audio! <--definitely recommend going this route
Original review 2014
High 3.5 maybe 4 stars?
I can't say this is one I would recommend to everyone, and I certainly won't be shoving it down peoples' throats.
But I liked it.
Now, somehow I ended up with the extended 10 year anniversary edition. So, maybe that's why it took me forever to finish this. But I don't think that was entirely the issue. It's just a loooong fuckin' book. And not much happens in it action-wise, so you're not exactly flipping the pages with any intensity.
There's not even really (in my opinion) a slow-build up to anything super-exciting. And what I mean by that, is that I never once thought to myself, Oh! Something GOOD is gonna happen in the next few pages!, you know?
Thing is, it has everything I could want in a book. Half-crazy gods, zombie ex-wife, tarnished-but-decent hero, missing kids, and unlikely friendships.
However, it also has everything I usually despise in a book. Trippy/hallucinogenic dream sequences, random quotes from other pieces of literature, plodding storyline, and no action.
But Neil Gaiman just oozes so much talent that somehow I still liked it.
Which is saying a lot, because I'm normally a real asshole when I feel like a book needed to be chopped down by about 400 pages.
Although, unless someone can tell me that Anansi Boys is an Awesome-Not-To-Be-Missed-Roller-Coaster-Thrill-A-Minute-Ride, I'm gonna have to say no to that one.
I'm sticking with my original rating, but only because the voice cast is simply amazing. If you're on the fence about this version of the book, I'd highly suggest listening to it. It's long, it rambles, and it doesn't go anywhere very interesting. The actual plot of this book could have filled 100 pages, while the other 500 pages read like a mythological travelogue of the United States. There's nothing wrong with that, and it was exactly what Gaiman set out to do. I'm just letting you know upfront what you're getting yourself into because (even with the fantastic voices) I almost DNF'd this audiobook every single day for a week or so. I had to keep reminding myself that nothing lasts forever and this too shall pass. Plus, I couldn't quite remember how it all turned out in the end and maybe there was something cool waiting for me that I'd forgotten.
Eh.
At some point, I'm planning to listen to the original version of the book that his editor got hold of and see how it compares. This version was for me at best a rambly 2 to 2.5 star book. The audio is fantastic, though.
Easily a 5 star audio! <--definitely recommend going this route
Original review 2014
High 3.5 maybe 4 stars?
I can't say this is one I would recommend to everyone, and I certainly won't be shoving it down peoples' throats.
But I liked it.
Now, somehow I ended up with the extended 10 year anniversary edition. So, maybe that's why it took me forever to finish this. But I don't think that was entirely the issue. It's just a loooong fuckin' book. And not much happens in it action-wise, so you're not exactly flipping the pages with any intensity.
There's not even really (in my opinion) a slow-build up to anything super-exciting. And what I mean by that, is that I never once thought to myself, Oh! Something GOOD is gonna happen in the next few pages!, you know?
Thing is, it has everything I could want in a book. Half-crazy gods, zombie ex-wife, tarnished-but-decent hero, missing kids, and unlikely friendships.
However, it also has everything I usually despise in a book. Trippy/hallucinogenic dream sequences, random quotes from other pieces of literature, plodding storyline, and no action.
But Neil Gaiman just oozes so much talent that somehow I still liked it.
Which is saying a lot, because I'm normally a real asshole when I feel like a book needed to be chopped down by about 400 pages.
Although, unless someone can tell me that Anansi Boys is an Awesome-Not-To-Be-Missed-Roller-Coaster-Thrill-A-Minute-Ride, I'm gonna have to say no to that one.
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Reading Progress
April 13, 2009
– Shelved
March 24, 2014
–
Started Reading
March 31, 2014
–
78.0%
March 31, 2014
–
Finished Reading
July 8, 2020
–
Started Reading
July 17, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 133 (133 new)
message 1:
by
Dan
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
Mar 26, 2014 06:41AM
I'm going to reread this since I read it eons ago and remember almost nothing about it.
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Did you like it? So many mixed reviews make me nervous.
I remember enjoying it at the time.
M'kay. Guess we'll see?
Anne wrote: "M'kay. Guess we'll see?"Yup. I may be remembering an entirely different book or imagining the whole experience.
I thought it had to big of a build up for an ultimate let down...but that might have been just me. The majority seems to love it.
Great review Anne. I read this recently and felt the same way you did.
Ok. You guys make me feel better. I did like it, it just wasn't all that.And Gary? Didn't your review say you ended up with this longer version, too?
There's trippy/hallucinogenic dreams? Spoiler alert! ;)Funny and right on as always, Anne. I started out really enjoying the ease of reading about the main character. And then the historical samples and shortly after the carnival experience I gave up. I think you nailed it with the comment about not thinking in a page or so it would get really good. It was not bad to read on a page by page, but nothing really made me need to find out what would happen in the overarching plot. Someday I'll probably finish... probably.
I can't say I'm at all sorry I read it, but I don't blame you for not finishing the thing. Gaiman has written much better stuff than this, so I don't see why this is always pointed at like it's his definitive novel.P.S.- I'm putting my foot down on your definition of 'spoiler'. You can forget about an edit this time, pal!
lol!
I loved this snarky book and found it very entertaining. Sorry. Lol
I'm amazed that Gaiman made me like it as much as he did. Totally not what I would normally even finish, so I can see why a lot of people love it.
I do love this book, but you're right, it is a long read. Meandering, even. Not sure why I loved it anyway, except that Gaiman's style really clicks with me. And it has The House on the Rock! I've been there a few times, even before the book was written, and it's a very, um, unique place. If anything, Gaiman made it sound less weird.
Wow, Sesana! How cool are you?!I'll add that place to my wanna-see destinations. I thought it was pretty neat that he added real places into the book.
And I think you nailed it. Without Gaiman at the helm, this book would have been awful. His talent is really awe-inspiring.
If it'll help you justify it, The House on the Rock is right down the road from Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin. So there's actual culture in the neighborhood! ETA: And Circus World! I almost forgot Circus World! All a stone's throw from Wisconsin Dells.
Anne wrote: "Ok. You guys make me feel better. I did like it, it just wasn't all that.And Gary? Didn't your review say you ended up with this longer version, too?"
Yes I did. I liked it, but I thought it wandered around a bit and was kind of psychedelic and weird. I have read bits and pieces of Gaimans's Sandman material from Vertigo so I expected it. I think I liked it because I liked the characters and the basic plot was just so unusual it was interesting.
Sesana wrote: "If it'll help you justify it, The House on the Rock is right down the road from Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin. So there's actual culture in the neighborhood! ETA: And Circus World! I almost forgo..."
That's actually not that far from me. I am right outside Minneapolis. I think I will make the road trip this summer. Very awesome Sesana.
I think the thing I liked so much about this book was not the writing itself so much (as you say, sometimes it feels like bits could have been chopped out - pages and pages of bits) but the overarching idea within the book - that "gods" are manifestations of ideas, and the more people believe in an idea, worship that idea, the more powerful that idea/god is. This is something Gaiman worked into Sandman a lot, especially with characters like Bast and Ishtar.As for Anasi Boys, you should be aware that it's not really a sequel to this book. Really, the only connection is that Anansi appears in both books. The story in Anansi Boys is (IIRC) completely unrelated to this story.
Kris wrote: "I think the thing I liked so much about this book was not the writing itself so much (as you say, sometimes it feels like bits could have been chopped out - pages and pages of bits) but the overarc..."One of the reasons I think I was more underwhelmed, was because I've read quite a few books with that very premise. Gods walking around, living off our worship, created by beliefs...etc. But I'm betting that most of the authors of those books were springboarding off of Gaiman's work in American Gods. If I had read this when it was originally published, I'm betting I would have been blown away by the concept.
Sesana & Gary, I smell a Road Trip!
Aw but Anansi boys is shorter and it has SPIDERS in it!
I loved Neverwhere, even if it was supposed to be a screenplay. A few of my friends didn't like that one, but it really held my attention at the time. The graphic novel version wasn't as impressive, though. Stardust was another adult novel of his that I liked. I like his non-Sandman comic book stuff. Eternals & Marvel 1602 were pretty cool. Of course, Coraline, The Graveyard Book, and The Wolves in the Walls are awesome kids books. My favorite was his team-up with Pratchett on Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.
Anne wrote: "I loved Neverwhere, even if it was supposed to be a screenplay. A few of my friends didn't like that one, but it really held my attention at the time. The graphic novel version wasn't as impressive..."Oooh! I loved Coraline also! It's probably my most favorite children's book by Neil Gaiman besides the Graveyard Book!
I thought American Gods was better than Anansi Boys.....so maybe no? Then again...Gaiman.
Hudson wrote: "I thought American Gods was better than Anansi Boys.....so maybe no? Then again...Gaiman."LOL! Then again...Gaiman.
That says it all, Hudson.
message 30:
by
✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans)
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
I LOVED Anansi Boys and enjoyed it a lot more than American Gods! I don't know if I'd call it an "Awesome-Not-To-Be-Missed-Roller-Coaster-Thrill-A-Minute-Ride" but it's a pretty fantastic read! :-)
why aren't your reviews showing up for me?? Damn GR
I'm still considering it for one of next year's reads. I can only take so much Gaiman per year, and I've filled my quota for 2014. But it's good to know you enjoyed it more than this one! That makes me feel much better.
Shelby *wants some flying monkeys* wrote: "why aren't your reviews showing up for me?? Damn GR"I haven't been on much, Shelby. Eyestrain, of all things!
I'm trying to play catch-up on all the reviews I've missed, too.
Anne wrote: "Shelby *wants some flying monkeys* wrote: "why aren't your reviews showing up for me?? Damn GR"I haven't been on much, Shelby. Eyestrain, of all things!
I'm trying to play catch-up on all the rev..."
I'll let them slide this one time then..just this once.
Heh. I think everything is a bit mucked up right now on GR. I'm sure they'll eventually get it squared away! LOL
Anne wrote: "Heh. I think everything is a bit mucked up right now on GR. I'm sure they'll eventually get it squared away! LOL"That's always a sign that we will have new crap that no one wants soon. :P
Where did all the 'best reviewers' go? And what's up with all the weird 'like' buttons?
Anne wrote: "Where did all the 'best reviewers' go? And what's up with all the weird 'like' buttons?"Somebody eat them? Who knows. :/
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ ate them! LOL! I'm just happy my friends haven't started disappearing, even if their feed has been a little hit or miss...
Anne wrote: "Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ ate them! LOL! I'm just happy my friends haven't started disappearing, even if their feed has been a little hit or miss..."I lost a couple..but they deleted their accounts. :(
How sad! I've got too many long-time pals on here to give up on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ anytime soon. It's not perfect, but the people here make it worthwhile (you included!).
Anne wrote: "How sad! I've got too many long-time pals on here to give up on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ anytime soon. It's not perfect, but the people here make it worthwhile (you included!)."awww. Me too.
And Jeff. Can't forget Hulk. He wuvs you guys.
Jeff wrote: "And Jeff. Can't forget Hulk. He wuvs you guys."*tackle hugs Hulk-boy*
Hulk? Who is this "Hulk" you speak of???? Never heard of him.Anyway, reviews like this are why I still haven't read this one. Which is a good thing. There's plenty of other fish in the sea/books in the shelves that can be pushed ahead of a billion page "meh" novel.
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Hulk? Who is this "Hulk" you speak of???? Never heard of him.Just how many Hulks do you know?
Great review, Anne!I think your likes/dislikes are all valid, without coming off as snarky or disrespectful. That's what makes a good review, IMO. It's interesting to that despite its flaws, you still enjoyed it. Gaiman truly has a way with words, doesn't he?
Anyway, I'm approx. at 64% and while I'm loving the journey so far, I'm afraid that the extensive build up will disappoint me in the end.. Hopefully I am wrong!
BTW, how does one know if they have the extended version or not? How long is your copy?
Thanks, Dustin! I had a foreword in the copy of the book I had that said it was the extended edition. You can always plug the ISBN number in, and see which one yours is, though.
Jeff wrote: "And Jeff. Can't forget Hulk. He wuvs you guys."We could never forget you, Hulk!
You're the BEST part of Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. Well, you're a close second to all the gifs of hot guys...
Really! Very close.
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Hulk? Who is this "Hulk" you speak of???? Never heard of him.Anyway, reviews like this are why I still haven't read this one. Which is a good thing. There's plenty of other fish in the sea/bo..."
Read it...it'll be fun. Promise. Hehehe.
