Book Review: American Gods by Neil Gaiman

American Gods by Neil Gaiman is one book I just couldn’t get into reading it so I listened to it as an audiobook. I really wanted to like the book. Like really, really. The writing is flawless. The novel with intricacies of plots, twists, and turns was that of a master bard. Yet, I found the first quarter of the book slow. I knew the second quarter of the book laid the foundation for the last half. Gaiman tried to use misdirection by having his writing play out like a coin trick or a shell game. He’d reveal what is to come but also created so many dead ends. Ultimately, I am glad I made it through the book. I enjoyed the mythologies and how much time it must have taken to research the tale. I suppose my disappointment is the same I experienced with Ender’s Game. I was able to see through the games being played. In retrospect, I guess that is a good thing as I won’t be buying a $20 violin for thousand of dollars.

The book itself is about an ex-con named Shadow who was released from prison who liked to do coin tricks as it gave his hands something to do. He ends up working for this mysterious fellow named Wednesday. Shadow’s world is turned upside down as reality becomes fiction and fiction becomes reality or perhaps both or neither.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to people who like mythology and thrillers. Gaiman tried to pack so much in to one book and succeeded. The audiobook I listened to was: American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition (A Full Cast Production) [Unabridged]. If you can’t get into the story via reading – I’d recommend giving it a listen as it’s a great way to spend 20 hours or so.

I will write again soon.

XVX