American Gods

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Jack Kelly
Tags: readings

Despite finishing the previous voyage a while ago, I still haven’t got around to writing about the latest book I have read: Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.

I’m not quite sure what to make of it. The basic premise of the setting isn’t unique; that gods are created by and survive on the worship and sacrifice of their followers. The interesting take on the idea is that as various migrants came to America, they brought their gods with them. In modern times, these gods and other beings of folklore (leprechauns and djinni, for example) are reduced to living in run-down apartments, driving taxis and living on the streets.

It’s a pretty neat idea, but the telling needed some work. There are a number of short interludes that don’t really go anywhere. The main character doesn’t really have any impact on anything throughout the story. Things happen to him and around him, but he doesn’t seem to do anything. The unfolding of the main plot up to the big reveal is decent, but I just think it could have been told better.

Would I suggest you read it? Sure, but probably put it halfway down the stack, below all the things you promised to read but haven’t quite got around to yet.

Previous Post
All Posts | RSS | Atom
Next Post
Copyright © 2024 Jack Kelly
Site generated by Hakyll (source)