American Gods

Mass Market Paperback, 750 pages

English language

Published Sept. 7, 2016 by William Morrow.

ISBN:
9780062472106
OCLC Number:
1107191554

View on OpenLibrary

4 stars (11 reviews)

First published in 2001, American Gods became an instant classic, lauded for its brilliant synthesis of “mystery, satire, sex, horror, and poetic prose” (Washington Post) and as a modern phantasmagoria that “distills the essence of America” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). It is the story of Shadow—released from prison just days after his wife and best friend are killed in an accident—who gets recruited to be bodyguard, driver, and errand boy for the enigmatic trickster, Mr. Wednesday. So begins Shadow’s dark and strange road trip, one that introduces him to a host of eccentric characters whose fates are mysteriously intertwined with his own. For, beneath the placid surface of everyday life, a storm is brewing—an epic war for the very soul of America—and Shadow is standing squarely in its path. --back cover

60 editions

Review of 'American Gods' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This book could be described as a fantasy novel about a war between the gods. It could be described as a travel book.

This book is about many things, but to me, I think this book is mostly the story of America, and the American experience. The story about the war between the gods is mostly a backdrop to this, more important, story.

Being written by a non-American, it focuses, to a great deal, on the immigrant experience. With America being a country of immigrants, this is especially appropriate. Some of these immigrants happen to be gods, having been imported to the mortal immigrants.

I really enjoyed this book. I love the portrait it painted of life in America, and the melting pot of cultures that make up our fair nation.

The one problem I had with this book is a mostly philosophical one. Many times the line "This is …

avatar for fionnain@bookwyrm.social

rated it

2 stars
avatar for cpm

rated it

5 stars
avatar for jotar0w0

rated it

5 stars
avatar for phocks

rated it

3 stars
avatar for GucciGarbage

rated it

3 stars
avatar for sir_diesalot

rated it

5 stars
avatar for duckwithhat

rated it

4 stars
avatar for epilys@wyrms.de

rated it

1 star
avatar for Dekker1@bookwyrm.social

rated it

4 stars