American Gods
Registered by BookGroupMan of Chester, Cheshire United Kingdom on 3/7/2004
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
4 journalers for this copy...
Never mind 'American Gods', Neil Gaiman has almost God-like status amongst his fans in the UK. I was quite underwhelmed by the Pratchett collaboration (Good Omens). Lets see if I like this opus :)(3/11) Review to follow...
I‘m going to have to order a large slice of humble pie, with side order of trilby. I wasn’t very impressed with Good Omens, but I’m having to re-assess my position :(
This is a great book, crossing-over between US road trip, fantastical realism, immortals with human failings, and a war-to-end-all-wars between old Gods and new American Gods. A brilliant idea. There's even a very personal story for the released convict Shadow, as he comes to terms with death and betrayal, and in the end finds out who he is and begins to be alive; I can see you all flicking back to an early prison conversation,
"Call no man happy until he is dead" (Herodotus) - I did!
Most of the plot defies summary, and NG needs all of the 620-odd pages to set up the story and tie all the loose ends together. In essence, we have a lot of gods & mythical beings walking around modern America brought over in the thoughts & rituals of all its immigrants, from the first Siberian Indians crossing the land link to Alaska, through Vikings, Africans, Irish (piskies, leprechauns etc.), Asians, even Greeks and their ancient pantheon of deities. But the real stars - or should I say villains - are Odin & Loki, but I won’t say any more than that. The only ciritcism, which isn't really Gaiman's fault, is that there is too much information & allusion, and I felt that missed some of the plot lines & subtleties because of my lack of knowledge.
This is a great book, crossing-over between US road trip, fantastical realism, immortals with human failings, and a war-to-end-all-wars between old Gods and new American Gods. A brilliant idea. There's even a very personal story for the released convict Shadow, as he comes to terms with death and betrayal, and in the end finds out who he is and begins to be alive; I can see you all flicking back to an early prison conversation,
"Call no man happy until he is dead" (Herodotus) - I did!
Most of the plot defies summary, and NG needs all of the 620-odd pages to set up the story and tie all the loose ends together. In essence, we have a lot of gods & mythical beings walking around modern America brought over in the thoughts & rituals of all its immigrants, from the first Siberian Indians crossing the land link to Alaska, through Vikings, Africans, Irish (piskies, leprechauns etc.), Asians, even Greeks and their ancient pantheon of deities. But the real stars - or should I say villains - are Odin & Loki, but I won’t say any more than that. The only ciritcism, which isn't really Gaiman's fault, is that there is too much information & allusion, and I felt that missed some of the plot lines & subtleties because of my lack of knowledge.
Released on Saturday, November 27, 2004 at about 6:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Caffe Nero in Ipswich, England United Kingdom.
RELEASE NOTES:
Picked up at our first Ipswich meet-up, and a fine occasion it was too :)
RELEASE NOTES:
Picked up at our first Ipswich meet-up, and a fine occasion it was too :)
Journal Entry 4 by KenseyRiver from Brightlingsea, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, November 27, 2004
Picked up at the first Ipswich meetup. Am a fan of American road stories/movies and I am hoping this book will slightly temper my chronic wanderlust.
Orphaned at Ipswich Meetup. I've not read this yet, but there is a copy in the house, so I will label it up and wild release it if there are no takers in a while. I know it's meant to be excellent, and love Neil Gaiman.
About to travel onwards to MrsDanvers, who has discovered Neil Gaiman at the last meetup.
Arrived safely. A nice fat book so it might go on holiday to Southwold with me.
I have acquired a copy of the latest version of American God ,for my permanent collection, which is described as the "author's preferred text", so this copy is on its travels.
Journal Entry 9 by MrsDanvers at Caffe Nero, King's Parade OBCZ in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Thursday, May 27, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (6/2/2010 UTC) at Caffe Nero, King's Parade OBCZ in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Released on the OBCZ shelf in Cambridge
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Hi and if you are new to all this, welcome to Bookcrossing.
It would really be appreciated if you would make a comment about the book, where you found it and what you thought of it.
The book is now yours to read, keep, or pass it on. We'd like to know where it travels to, and if you don't want to join you can do this anonymously.
If you would like to know what happens to the book after you have passed it on please join. It doesn't cost anything, it's private and it's interesting to travel by proxy around the world.
If you do join, I hope you'll put my name down - mrsdanvers - as your referring member.
