American Gods

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Neil Gaiman, Dennis Boutskiaris, Daniel Oreskes, Ron McLarty, Sarah Jones

Length: 19 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive American road novel with over a million copies sold.

AN ACCLAIMED, EMMY-NOMINATED TV SERIES ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

WINNER OF THE HUGO, LOCUS AND BRAM STOKER AWARDS

After three years in prison, Shadow Moon is free to go home. But hours before his release, his beloved wife is killed in a freak accident. Numbly, he boards a plane where he meets an enigmatic stranger who seems to know Shadow and claims to be an ancient god - and king of America.

Together they embark on a profoundly strange road trip across the USA, encountering a kaleidoscopic cast of characters along the way. But all around them a storm of unnatural proportions is gathering.

War is coming, an epic struggle for the very soul of America. And Shadow is standing squarely in its path.

NEIL GAIMAN.

WITH STORIES COME POSSIBILITIES.

©2001 Neil Gaiman (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"To give him his full title: Neil Gaiman, Architect of Worlds, Svengali of Plot, Shaman of Character, Exploder of Cliché, Master Craftsman of Style, Dreamer Laureate of the Republic of Letters." (David Mitchell)

"Original, engrossing, and endlessly inventive." (George R.R. Martin)

"Brilliant and unique." (Guardian)

eh!

I love this book, but fair warning this version is not actually read by Neil Gaiman as it suggests in the audible info. The narrator's voice is a bit bland.

Excellent

Would you listen to American Gods again? Why?

Yes. Fascinating story, brilliant narration. What is not to like?

What other book might you compare American Gods to and why?

Master and Margarita. The only theme the two books share is of God/Devil doing crazy things in our world. Other than that, they are very different.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scenes involving Mr. Ibis.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Spolier - Wednesday's death. I did not see that coming, and it left me feeling sad. I kept hoping it is a mistake, maybe the author will bring him back. He did in a sense, but not in the same way.

Any additional comments?

Kudos to the narrator. I have become a fan.

Thoughtful, odd, intriguing

This is a strange book and the ideas and mythology of the book are simultaneously lofty and pedestrian. The writing is beautiful and mundane. I couldn't tell you exactly what I liked about it, nothing much seems to happen, until everything happens all at once like it's no big deal. Every answer gives you heaps of questions, but I was always interested. the characters are fantastic, you'll constantly be playing the game of "oh I wonder what God this is". I wonder if I got more out of it because I'm familiar with many mythologies and if it wouldn't be as good if you didn't know them. it's an incredibly intelligent book, that at the same time is written in an incredibly accessible way. A real standout and worth trying out. in terms of the audio there is a full cast and they do a great job.

Super fun

a fun and fantastically entertaining novel that I highly recommend to anyone keen on myth and fantasy.

great story. excellent narration.

great fantasy novel with interesting themes. loved the ending. keeps you guessing right til the end.

As usual, a great start and a slightly waffling end.

This is what many years of reading Gaiman has taught me to expect. And this books delivers upon that. Solid, page turning opener - good strength throughout, and the odd half chapter you could just totally skip, on the home straight - but...The extra anniversary inserts are worth the effort, if you have read it before. :)

Subjective Masterpiece

This book is one of the best experiences I have ever had. It is an excellent exploration into America and culture, however, it must be said that many people for some reason or another hate this book and find it boring. If you are one of those people, it is unfortunate you couldn’t enjoy this masterpiece. If you are a person who will enjoy it, you’ll find it incredible.

special

this was something special and unexpected. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will definitely look at reading more of his work.

This book is amazing. I love it so much.

This book will forever change how I think about gods. I loved every part of it and I am sad that it is over.

The best book I have ever listened to

This book was totally captivating. It is flawlessly constructed and very clever, without being unaccessably highbrow. Often when listening to audiobooks my mind will drift off elsewhere, but that didn't happen once during American Gods which is a huge compliment to the quality of Neil Gaiman's writing.
Adding to the experience was the excellent performance of the narrator, George Guidall, whose voice for each character perfectly captured every one. I will be looking for more books where he has been the narrator - just excellent!