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)

Deep

Any additional comments?

Great book by Neil Gaiman and the narration was very good as well. This book along with his others are able to make you feel as if you are getting absorbed by the story as a character.

Loved everything about this book!

If you could sum up American Gods in three words, what would they be?

Beautifully written tale

What did you like best about this story?

Weaving in gods from many different cultures to create an engaging, compelling storyline.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Loved Shadow

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I couldn't stop listening to it.

Instant Favorite

I'm a fan of Neil Gaiman and science fiction/mythology genres already, so when a friend recommended this book I thought I'd like it. I LOVE the various gods that make up the cast of characters in present day America. The small-town American cities take on a life of their own (Cairo, Illinois was probably my favorite). The short stories about people coming to America that are interspersed in the main narrative definitely add something to the overall concept of the novel. Guidall's reading is memorable as well.

Truly Great

A masterpiece. I could listen you this a dozen times. And in case you are wondering, it's much better than the TV show (which is also good).

Creative & entertaining

I purchased this book after listening to "Anansi Boys" by the same author. Although I thought "Anansi Boys" was the better of the two, this was still an excellent book and I'd defintely recommend it. A caveat: the humor/storyline may be a bit dark for some, and I wouldn't recommend this book for people who are offended by 'adult' themes.

Absolutely loved it

If you like Stephen King in any way, I'd recommend this book. American Gods is not really a 'horror' book per se, but Gaiman's narration is very similar to King's. They both have a talent for making you believe the impossible through description of the mundane; Odin loves bad diner food, and the dark god Chernobog (the demon at the end of Fantasia) likes to play checkers. A good amount of mythological knowledge is recommended, as you'll better appreciate the diverse cast, but not totally required.

excellent read!

Great book and the narrator is superb! A must read! Takes you on a ride

awesome

this was a graet book. it keeps you on your toes. i will definitely read it again.

An Awesome Story

Any additional comments?

This is a really cool story about Old World Myths colliding with the changing beliefs of The New World. Gods of Thunder in a world that worships nightly at the shrine of Internet. Even if you are not a huge fantasy person, this is worth reading. It is incredibly well done.

This is my first experience with Gaiman but I am going to be looking for more of his work. He is a Master of written word. He has a way of telling everything with an edge of dry hummer, a healthy dose social critique, and some honest interest in people. The characters that Gaiman creates are entertaining, compelling and strangely, complexly genuine. The setting is everyones back yard. And the story is somehow about the fate of gods in the world, small town life in central America, and a perfectly ordinary Man. And it all holds together, you don't stop caring about one for the other or lose sight of the forest for the leafs.

the full cast version is better

the full cast version is betterby a lot. bought this thinking it was that one. don't make the same mistake.