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Jayson’s Reviews > American Gods > Status Update

Jayson
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Notes:
(1) This 10th Anniversary Edition, as mentioned in the introduction, features the author's "preferred text."
- Meaning the 12,000 words Gaiman was originally forced to cut were fished out of the trash and polished up.
(2) Usually I listen to audiobooks at 1.75 or 1.50 speed. But, being a full-cast narration, I'm treating this like TV and listening to at normal speed.
Jul 31, 2023 10:50PM
American Gods

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Jayson’s Previous Updates

Jayson
Jayson is finished


Notes:
(1) It's been a while since I first read this book but I remembered it very well, all except for the ending scenes, which didn't ring a bell at all.
- When I watched the show I'd assumed those scenes were created for the show.
(2) There's a deleted Shadow and Jesus scene in the Appendix.
- I agree with it being deleted. It's there to be there and doesn't add a thing.
Aug 09, 2023 10:40PM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is 86% done


Notes:
(1) Shadow hangs from the World Tree, suffering for three whole chapters so far.
- The obvious symbolism is it's analogous to Jesus. I'm sure Gaiman would say it's actually from traditions preceding Jesus by thousands of years. But he knows the immediate implication, and that's the point: like Easter previously, it's a pagan thing people now assume is 100% Christian.
Aug 08, 2023 11:45PM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is 78% done


Notes:
(1) Shadow: "But [Alviss]’s not a dwarf ... He’s what, 5'8"? 5'9"?"
Czernobog: "Which makes him a giant among dwarfs ... Tallest dwarf in America."
- Being the world's tallest dwarf/shortest giant is such a dad joke.
(2) Czernobog: "All the dwarfs talk and talk and talk. And sing. All the time, sing, sing, sing."
- Indeed. "Heigh-ho-heigh-ho, it's off to work we go."
Aug 07, 2023 08:56PM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is 65% done


Notes:
(1) Chapter 12 features three "interludes" back-to-back-to-back: short scenes involving Bilquis, Marguerite Olsen and Laura.
- Bilquis and Laura play major roles in the show, whereas here they only show up briefly a couple times each.
- As well, why is this an "interlude" when Bilquis' mini-story before was part of the "Somewhere in America" segments? No consistency!
Aug 05, 2023 10:30PM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is 55% done


Notes:
(1) Hinzelmann: "You want a video rental card? Eventually they’ll open a Blockbuster here, and then we’ll soon be out of business."
- Ironic statement, considering how Blockbuster would soon be out of business itself.
(2) I'm at the long Lakeside portion. Feels like a lot of navel-gazing.
- Unlike the show, the book feels no need to be periodically exciting/eventful.
Aug 05, 2023 12:30AM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is 44% done


Notes:
(1) I'm at that stretch past the House on the Rock, and its aftermath, where there isn't much plot movement.
- Stuff happens, but mostly you get miscellaneous musings about small-town America, historical grifts, "Coming to America" tales (of varying value and quality), meetings with townsfolk, etc.
- I look back at my original review and think, "Yeah, I was spot on."
Aug 03, 2023 11:00PM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is 33% done


Notes:
(1) I watched the TV show first, and there's a gay sex scene that I thought must just be Starz being Starz—gratuitous and provocative for the sake of it. To my surprise, I find out it's in the book.
- So, either it's part of the "preferred text" I never read before, or I simply forgot.
- Doesn't seem like something I'd forget. Sex scenes in general make me squeamish.
Aug 02, 2023 10:35PM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is 23% done


Notes:
(1) Not to talk about the show too much, but the errand shopping scene isn't in small-town America, it's at the Canadian Tire near my house.
- Living in Vancouver, it's tough losing yourself in TV.
(2) In the book, Bilquis lures men as a hooker, in the show she uses a dating app.
- The victim's a lot more sympathetic in the show and, in turn, Bilquis seems more evil.
Aug 02, 2023 12:10AM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is 13% done


Notes:
(1) First big difference I noticed between the book and the show is the flaming buffalo man is now just a flaming buffalo.
- Possibly it'd look cheesy in live action.
(2) "Shadow worried about the whole e-ticket business ... Anything electronic seemed ... liable to evaporate at any moment. He liked things he could hold and touch."
- I feel the same way about e-books.
Aug 01, 2023 04:15AM
American Gods


Jayson
Jayson is starting


Notes:
(1) Back when I did by reread of adapted Neil Gaiman books, I skipped this one because the TV series wasn't over. I wanted the full gamut of video clips to use for status gifs. Well, the series was cancelled and so I must make do with what's available.
(2) I don't really care for full-cast audiobooks. I prefer a single narrator. However, that one's unavailable to me.
Jul 30, 2023 03:00AM
American Gods


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