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)

Amazing!

This is simply an amazing story by a fantastic storyteller!

I would definitely recommend it to anyone! (although it does have a couple of scenes of sex and violence, which only serve to enhance the story.)

Great Job Neil.

I recently saw the trailer for American Gods on Television and I knew I had to get the book. I loved how the author gave each God or Goddess their own unique personality. I also enjoyed very much the end where the author slipped in the conversation with Jesus. Fantastic. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

Lived Up to Its Reputation

I almost gave up on this a couple of time. Not because it isn’t good, because it was too good and I was afraid I wouldn’t like the ending. That’s what happens when you usually read romances, where happy endings can be depended upon. This was one of those times I’m grateful I took a risk, tried something just a little out of my comfort zone. A few of the horror aspects were a little gross for me, but there aren’t many and the author doesn’t linger there. This story has mystery and romance, legend and magic, action and suspense. It’s loaded with twists and turns, some I guessed and some I didn’t. The characters are vividly drawn. The full-cast performance really brought them all alive for me. Don’t tell my husband, but I’m deeply in love with Shadow. The plot does meander in this 10th anniversary edition, but the images and tales within tales are rich, and the paths all led back to the main plot road. Oh, and the ending was fantastic, both suspenseful and satisfying up to the last word.

great characters and ideas

I enjoyed the characters in The ideas some of the little stories told with in the book are really good. but the overall story never really caught me.

A spellbinding epic!

A novel of monumental portions, that once started. You are unable to put it down. The characters are unique to come alivethanks to a great cast is that enhances an excellent story.

Spin me a tale

This was a well-written story with excellent character development! While several characters were a riff on gods both ancient and new, the author spun then in new and different ways. The performance was award-worthy with a distinct voice for each of the many many characters. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to American Gods.

Wow. This is the version you want.

Wonderful voices, especially Shadow and Ananzi, and of course Wednesday. Damn near perfect. Neil Gaiman's intro and outro bookend it perfectly. includes the hence removed Jesus scene.

Loved the multi-voice narration!

What made the experience of listening to American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition (A Full Cast Production) the most enjoyable?

I loved the multi-voice narration of this book. I've never listened to one before, but I truly thought this one was so well done. Others have said it distracted them from the story, but I disagree. I thought it just added to my enjoyment and really brought out the nuance of every character.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I thought all of the actors did a great job bringing their respective characters to life.

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

I really enjoyed this book. It was such a unique story - unlike any I've ever heard - and I really didn't want it to end. I actually was almost disappointed in the ending and I'm kind of hoping there will be a sequel. I'd like to know what happens next in Shadow's life. Given that this was written 10 years ago and I don't believe a sequel has been released yet, I doubt my wish will come true.

Any additional comments?

I read this book because I started watching the Starz production of this story. If you're watching the show, I highly recommend you read the book. It gives more detail on all the characters and events that happen (as is typical in a book). I really recommend it to other listeners. You won't regret spending a credit on it!!!

wasn't for me

sufficiently weird like how Neil Gaiman writes. Exactly as he describes it to be. I personally didn't love it, did not resonate with the characters as much as some people appear to.

Excellent from start to finish

The voice actors were amazing and I just loved the book. 10/10 would listen and read again.