American Gods - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Dianora · 16th August 2006, 12:33 AM

I just started this today (finally)....

Any comments? Things to watch/look for??

Marya · 16th August 2006, 01:06 AM

It was the first Neil Gaiman book I read and I adored it. I'm from the Midwest (Illinois) originally and I loved the locations in the book and some of them were places I had been. The characters are fantastic and they really suck you in emotionally. When (and if) I think of something more intelligent to say, I will.

Karsa Orlong · 16th August 2006, 01:25 AM

Make sure you keep thinking whilst you read it, there's quite a lot under the surface of this one. Otherwise, just enjoy it!

Adasunshine · 16th August 2006, 08:43 AM

Yep, Karsa pointed out the thing I was going to point out...

Just keep your brain open and your eyes fresh!

Excellent book!

xx

Green · 16th August 2006, 09:01 AM

Try and work out the name of the god that nobody can remember! I've always been unable to work it out, and Gaiman is keeping shtum.

Nesacat · 16th August 2006, 09:58 AM

An amazing book that can be read on many different levels. One of those books you need to keep your mind on and you take away as much or as little as you wish to see. Definitely one of Gaiman's best and a book which has caused some extremes in reactions. Enjoy.

Dianora · 6th September 2006, 05:02 PM

I'm about 200 pages in and LOVING IT. I forgot to bring it to work today and I have ALL this time to read, but I have no book. dammit.

I'm still trying to figure out the symbolism of the coin tricks.

Alan · 4th October 2006, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianora

I'm still trying to figure out the symbolism of the coin tricks.

Don't think so much about symbolism. Think more along the lines of metaphor. ;-)

BradtheImpaler · 12th October 2006, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianora

I just started this today (finally)....

Any comments? Things to watch/look for??

Didn't like it at all. It seemed aimless - like he was thinking, "how am I going to end this?". I thought, once hearing the premise of some of the gods representing American culture, that there would be some clever representations, but he didn't come up with anything much.

Silent Speaker · 12th December 2006, 04:07 PM

I recently read this, and rather enjoyed it :D

Did anyone else see the faint resemblance that Shadow had to Meursault from Camus' "The stranger/outsider" ?
I felt throughout the book that his character was somehow based or "inspired" by that other strange, strange figure.

Do you think that, to endure and do all that Shadow did, one would have to be like him? (and Meursault) If you've read both books you'll know what I'm talking about ;) (the detachedness and stuff)

Anyway, something that's been bothering me, what is the identity of the nameless god that is forgotten by mortals? (the one that shadow can never remember the name of, even after he'd just heard it)
I mean, my mythology isn't that great, so any hints would be appreaciated :P

Faceless Woman · 13th January 2007, 10:16 PM

I think the point is that we have forgotten him too. Actually, I don't think there is a point. He just got thrown in for the purpose of confusing people :-).
I just read it thursday. Brilliant. Loved it. MORE.

Kailana · 26th February 2007, 12:08 PM

I just started this book. I have read other Gaiman's, so I figured it was time to backtrack to this one. It is pretty good so far, but I am not sure if I would call it a favourite by him.

McMurphy · 26th February 2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marya

It was the first Neil Gaiman book I read and I adored it. I'm from the Midwest (Illinois) originally and I loved the locations in the book and some of them were places I had been. The characters are fantastic and they really suck you in emotionally. When (and if) I think of something more intelligent to say, I will.

I grew up and was attended college at the time in the Midwest (Minnesota) when I first picked up the book, and, as you probably already know, a good chunk of the book takes places in Minnesota and Wisconsin...something I completely ate up at the time. I even took a road trip with some friends to "House on the Rock" after reading the book.

Quite a fun trip, if only I could remember more of it....

Bikewer · 11th March 2007, 04:08 PM

Very clever idea. Other authors have sort of played with this concept, notably Roger Zelazny. Lord of Light plays with the Hindu theology, and he did another one involving the Egyptian gods. However, these were both far-future recreations of the mythology.
In American Gods, the "old" gods still exist, melding into modern society. Makes you want to brush up on your mythology reading.

DarkIntentions · 24th March 2007, 09:47 PM

I've just started American Gods and i'm really getting into it.. the last time i started i couldn't 'cause of the second chapter *y'knowwhatimean* i'm not sure my mum would be very happy about her 13 year old daughter reading stuff like that - so its a secret, 0k! Anyway .. I like the fact its set in America because i've always been obsessed with it and after reading Neverwhere and Anansi boys i'm absolutely sure i will be totally satisfied onces i'm finished.

x

Neil Gaimans Youngest Fan.

16th August 2006, 12:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dianora beautiful disaster Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 63	American Gods I just started this today (finally).... Any comments? Things to watch/look for??

16th August 2006, 01:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Marya friendly wood nymph Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: California Posts: 66	Re: American Gods It was the first Neil Gaiman book I read and I adored it. I'm from the Midwest (Illinois) originally and I loved the locations in the book and some of them were places I had been. The characters are fantastic and they really suck you in emotionally. When (and if) I think of something more intelligent to say, I will.

16th August 2006, 01:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Karsa Orlong Unchained Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 195	Re: American Gods Make sure you keep thinking whilst you read it, there's quite a lot under the surface of this one. Otherwise, just enjoy it!

16th August 2006, 08:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Adasunshine Daisy Toadfoot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 915	Re: American Gods Yep, Karsa pointed out the thing I was going to point out... Just keep your brain open and your eyes fresh! Excellent book! xx

16th August 2006, 09:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Green Sick and Tired Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 797	Re: American Gods Try and work out the name of the god that nobody can remember! I've always been unable to work it out, and Gaiman is keeping shtum.

16th August 2006, 09:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nesacat The Cat Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Malaysia Posts: 2,564	Re: American Gods An amazing book that can be read on many different levels. One of those books you need to keep your mind on and you take away as much or as little as you wish to see. Definitely one of Gaiman's best and a book which has caused some extremes in reactions. Enjoy.

6th September 2006, 05:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dianora beautiful disaster Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 63	Re: American Gods I'm about 200 pages in and LOVING IT. I forgot to bring it to work today and I have ALL this time to read, but I have no book. dammit. I'm still trying to figure out the symbolism of the coin tricks.

12th December 2006, 04:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Silent Speaker Shhhhhhhhh! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Thailand Posts: 33	Re: American Gods I recently read this, and rather enjoyed it :D Did anyone else see the faint resemblance that Shadow had to Meursault from Camus' "The stranger/outsider" ? I felt throughout the book that his character was somehow based or "inspired" by that other strange, strange figure. Do you think that, to endure and do all that Shadow did, one would have to be like him? (and Meursault) If you've read both books you'll know what I'm talking about ;) (the detachedness and stuff) Anyway, something that's been bothering me, what is the identity of the nameless god that is forgotten by mortals? (the one that shadow can never remember the name of, even after he'd just heard it) I mean, my mythology isn't that great, so any hints would be appreaciated :P

13th January 2007, 10:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
Faceless Woman Pet Nymeria. Now die. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 398	Re: American Gods I think the point is that we have forgotten him too. Actually, I don't think there is a point. He just got thrown in for the purpose of confusing people :-). I just read it thursday. Brilliant. Loved it. MORE.

26th February 2007, 12:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kailana Canadian Reader Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 75	Re: American Gods I just started this book. I have read other Gaiman's, so I figured it was time to backtrack to this one. It is pretty good so far, but I am not sure if I would call it a favourite by him.

11th March 2007, 04:08 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bikewer Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 72	Re: American Gods Very clever idea. Other authors have sort of played with this concept, notably Roger Zelazny. Lord of Light plays with the Hindu theology, and he did another one involving the Egyptian gods. However, these were both far-future recreations of the mythology. In American Gods, the "old" gods still exist, melding into modern society. Makes you want to brush up on your mythology reading.

24th March 2007, 09:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
DarkIntentions The bearded lady. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 74	Re: American Gods I've just started American Gods and i'm really getting into it.. the last time i started i couldn't 'cause of the second chapter y'knowwhatimean i'm not sure my mum would be very happy about her 13 year old daughter reading stuff like that - so its a secret, 0k! Anyway .. I like the fact its set in America because i've always been obsessed with it and after reading Neverwhere and Anansi boys i'm absolutely sure i will be totally satisfied onces i'm finished. x Neil Gaimans Youngest Fan.

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