Her Book Review: American Gods by Neil Gaiman (2001)

Why she read it: She found a Neil Gaiman book at a used book store and like most gateway drugs, that drew her to American Gods, though curiosity of the upcoming TV series also played a part.

Would she recommend it: SO MUCH

His review: I am so late in writing this review and reading this book. Most discerning readers have already read this. Mea culpa, those of discerning taste, I come late, bearing much love for such a wonderful world created in this book.

I’m not going to be telling anyone anything they don’t know, right? But still, the world-building in this book is so full, so complete and so gradual, we are very much like the mentioned frogs who don’t know the water is boiling until too late. Such a full world, so intricately created. The ordinary is full and rich and the supernatural is created in such a way that no one thing is more important than another.

Shadow, our erstwhile hero is not really alive, not really dead, just existing for any number of reasons, all set out in the first chapter. He goes forward into a world he didn’t know existed, only asking a few questions, which sweeps us up for the ride as well. Things unfold carefully and gratifyingly and it is one of those books where, as I was nearing the end, I was pre-emptively sad that it was ending, and yet it ends in such a satisfying way that when I closed the book, I did so with a quiet sense of rightness.

(On a side-note, it is very pleasing that Bryan Fuller is showrunner for this. His rich style and world-building, I think, makes for a very good match.)ou’re like me and you haven’t read this book, do yourself a favor, go the library and check out this book as soon as you can.