American Gods [TV Tie-In]

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 20 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a STARZ® Original Series produced by FremantleMedia North America, starring Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane, Emily Browning, and Pablo Schreiber.

Locked behind bars for three years, Shadow did his time, quietly waiting for the day when he could return to Eagle Point, Indiana. A man no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, all he wanted was to be with Laura, the wife he deeply loved, and start a new life.

But just days before his release, Laura and Shadow's best friend are killed in an accident. With his life in pieces and nothing to keep him tethered, Shadow accepts a job from a beguiling stranger he meets on the way home, an enigmatic man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A trickster and a rogue, Wednesday seems to know more about Shadow than Shadow does himself.

Life as Wednesday's bodyguard, driver, and errand boy is far more interesting and dangerous than Shadow ever imagined. Soon Shadow learns that the past never dies . . . and that beneath the placid surface of everyday life a storm is brewing—an epic war for the very soul of America—and that he is standing squarely in its path.

©2015 FreemantleMedia North America. All rights reserved. Artwork © Starz Entertainment, L.L.C. Starz and related services marks are the property of Starz Entertainment, L.L.C. (P)2001 HarperCollinsPublishers Inc.

Critic reviews

Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 2002

Nebula Award Winner, Best Novel, 2002

"Read dynamically and emotionally by George Guidall - who gives more personalities and ethnicities than one would think possible... Brilliant dialogue and profound insights into American consciousness show Gaiman to be a visionary and a master wordsmith." (AudioFile)

"Neil Gaiman enters Stephen King territory...with American Gods." (New York Post)

"A crackerjack suspense yarn...juicily original...Wagnerian noir." (Salon.com)

"By turns thoughtful, hilarious, disturbing, uplifting, horrifying and enjoyable, and sometimes all at once." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

loved it

I've heard or read many of this authors works and never realized it...amazing storytelling and ability to pack info in a flowing interesting way

Neil Gaiman does it again

I was skeptical at first, but I really enjoyed this story. I also really like the fact that it Shadow spent a good deal of time in the midwest. That was a nice surprise. Also the way that the gods worked was quite impress.

I really liked it

I'm in agreement with everbody else. This was a really good story. Anansi Boys, which was released after this one, is good too, and it is kind of a sequel. But this one had me taking notes to find out about all of the different Deities that are being referred to, and it was almost like an education in mythology. Anyways its really good.

Interesting Story

This book was a great performance and the story at times was fantastic and then at times I was wondering where it was going and how the dots were going to be connected. I stuck with it, and it turned out to be pretty good. I really enjoyed the characters, Shadow, Laura, and Mr. Wednesday. They were so many other characters but since it is an audio book, I found I couldn't retain their names (as I need to see them visually.) The idea of Gods coming to America and that Gods are all man-made was compelling. I also see that us humans "create" new Gods with today's media. Interesting concept.
Very different type of book for me.....but overall, I liked it. Didn't love it, just liked it. Listen, and form your own opinion........

Perfect voice, excellent folk lore/original fiction style story

Interesting story but really really well told. Great characters, awesome bits of folklore and very dark humor. This book has a lot to do with Odin. Contrary to the idea of Marvel's Anthony Hopkins Odin. The real Odin is a wanderer, a trickster, a god of war and wisdom. He's not just some asgardian with a fiery spear.

This book is really quite good, 5/5

Yes, and...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The performance is good, but I wish we could travel through the story in a more effective manner.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

predictable....

Challenging and satisfying

American Gods by Neil Gaiman is a very strange, complex, wonderful book. It took me a while to figure out what is actually going on. It's not allegory, but it is an extended metaphor about the conflict between the "old gods" who were brought to America by early immigrants and the "new gods:" technology, media, commerce, etc. It's also a "picaresque" (road trip) novel with the main character/observer, Shadow, recently released from jail, being taken from place to place, event to event, mainly by a character named Wednesday. Many weird things happen, and the narrative is often interrupted by a side story or fable about the gods. I reservedly recommend it -- it's a challenging read, but rather satisfying when you get to the end. I definitely want to read another Gaiman book. The language is wonderful.

Absolutely phenomenal

Has to be one of my all time favorites. I highly recommend this book for any reader.

One of the most creative and we'll written works of fiction I've ever read

A modern standard for fantasy and modern mythology. absolutely incredible.
I've been meaning to read this book for about ten years now.
I'm glad I finally did. I only wish I had done so sooner in my life

Fun. Great concept of universe.

This was my first audiobook since before cd's. I really enjoyed the experience. The voice talent was excellent and the authors universe complete. I didn't want the book to end.