Thursday, July 24, 2014

American Gods (American Gods, #1)

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
This book is incredibly funny and horribly sad, totally irreverent and thoughtful and philosophical. The story follows a man named Shadow, a convict who is released from prison a few days early when his wife dies and who then is drawn into the world of the gods - all of the ones who were brought to America by the people who believed in them - from the Norse gods to the leprechauns, to the African gods, the gods of the native Americans and more. As the gods of the past prepare to fight the newer gods of commerce and technology, Shadow is thrust into the middle of the storm that is coming. Throughout the book, we are introduced to the author's viewpoints about the world, religion and life told in his own unique and lyrical way. I enjoyed learning quite a few new words while reading this book including psychopomp and thylacine and I appreciate the author's verbocity. Like the other books that I have read by this author, this book definitely made me think. Like Martha says, that is a good thing.

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