American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition (A Full Cast Production)

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Ron McLarty, Daniel Oreskes, full cast

Length: 19 hrs and 39 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.

"Mystery, satire, sex, horror, poetic prose—American Gods uses all these to keep the reader turning the pages."—Washington Post

©2011 Neil Gaiman (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"This full-cast performance of the tenth anniversary edition of Neil Gaiman's American Gods (think director's cut) is one of the most mesmerizing audio experiences ever.... Ron McLarty plays a randy, crusty old Odin disguised as a white-collar con man to perfection. Daniel Oreskes's Shadow, the hero who doesn't know quite what he is, is masterful. Oliver Wyman, who did Mad Sweeney the Leprechaun, is a genius. Hats in the air for the whole cast, a flawless production, and a tour de force of a tale." ( AudioFile)

Incredible story of what makes America tick!

An amazing tale of the ties that bind the old and new. Incredible complex characters, talented full cast narration, and a web of conflicts that intertwine the threads of legends and beliefs. A must listen!

Very good! Great concept!!

I saw the TV show before I knew of the book and this really impressed me. I enjoyed the book and cast was great! I would read again!

Neat story that should be a lot shorter

If you're into comic book "Wow" and "Amazing" this book is awesome. if you're not into very long drawn out descriptions of vague gods or extremist depictions of color and the smell of things, this book is a drag. I definitely found myself in a Monty Python, "GET ON WITH IT!!", mode through 75% of the book. The ending left me as surprised as the ending of the Titanic, the boat sank. Great read for comic book fans.

Great story

One of my Favorite writers and he did not let me down over all the story kept me listening and now I’m reading it and will probably watch the tv show now lol on to his next sand man book and other novels on audiable

Everything I hoped it would be

Well worth the listen. If you like a full cast production then this is the version for you!

Great book that I thoroughly enjoyed

A must read! The book gives you so much more background and More GODS! This has been on my reading list for a while - I’m glad Audible had it!!

weird, but a good weird!

it's a very easy book to follow and definitely draws you in. just remember it's fiction and don't question the (lack of) logic. I especially enjoyed the mini stories that sort of served as mini intermissions.

Another Neil Gaiman amazing book!

I've listened to four of his books now and they've all been amazing. Would recommend to anyone!

Masterful, but with flaws.

Would you consider the audio edition of American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition (A Full Cast Production) to be better than the print version?

Warning: spoilers within.

It's really cool to hear a full-cast production of American Gods, a book I've read several times. I've actually listened to this audiobook several times, too. A lot of people don't like American Gods because it's too meandering, too grimy and - despite inclusion of so many gods - common, rather than some grand epic. I'd argue that that's the point - the gods who came to America because grimy and common, and a few of them want to fight back.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's tough to pick a favorite character - and I'm basing these on the voice acting, though they align pretty consistently with my feelings about the non-audio characters.

I love Wednesday, and Czernobog. I also love the voice of Zorya Polunochnaya, and Mr. Ibis is entertaining. Not a big fan of Laura.

Shadow's part is masterfully done, but I have the same problem with him whether he's print or audio - I don't understand how it takes him that long to figure out who he's dealing with. They actually have to shove it down his throat. If a man with a silver tree tie-pin talked to me on a plane during a thunderstorm and said "Since it's my day you can call me Wednesday, though given the weather it might as well be Thursday", I would immediately be like, oh sh*t, I am NOT getting involved with gods, thanks. But maybe that's just me. ;)

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The one charater I can't STAND is the narrator, who sounds disdainful more than half the time. I get used to it after a while but anytime I start listening after a break (I mostly listen during my commute) I always wish the book came with a free punch in the narrator's face.

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

I can't say I have a favorite part of the book, though I enjoy Shadow working at the funeral home. I think the most moving part is Shadow on the tree. It's such a classic image of sacrifice and is beautifully written. I also like Essie Tregowan's "Coming to America" story, especially the end.

Any additional comments?

It's an excellent bonus that Neil himself reads the Coming to America bits. His voice is so nice. I wish he could have narrated it, but he might have overshadowed the rest of the cast.

People seem to either love American Gods or hate it, or be disappointed by it. And Gaiman fans who are disappointed seem to feel personally betrayed. I'm one of the Gaiman fans who loves it - I love the huge, odd, meandering sprawl. To me, it mirrors the life that all these people are living, day by day, as the gods have lived for thousands of years, biding their time until they're forgotten. I love the journey. I don't mind that it takes a while and doesn't go in a straight line. But this is the kind of book you have to try for yourself.

just a wonderful book.

I have listen to a few audible books over the years. This has got to be one if my favorites. Using a full cast really brought the caracters to life. Also it is a great story. Highly recommend.