Book Revew: Praise for American Gods

Courtesy of Neilgaiman.com

By Machelle Tran | VOX Staff

American Gods” by Neil Gaiman is straightforward from the beginning of the story. This third-person fiction piece twists and squirms in the reader’s grasp and slips away each time the reader thinks he or she has the story figured out. The novel revolves around Shadow, an inmate, who’s waiting for his release date only two weeks away so he’ll return home to his wife, Laura. However, fate plans otherwise for Shadow. Three days to his release date, Shadow’s life turns upside down when he finds out that Laura has died in a car wreck. The only thing left to do is fly home for Laura’s funeral.

On the plane ride, Shadow meets a very peculiar Mr. Wednesday, who makes Shadow an offer to work as his henchman. Shadow declines. One night, Laura comes to him as a rotting corpse who wants Shadow to be happy and move on. That night, she leaves Shadow with hope that something could revive her.

When Shadow encounters Mr. Wednesday again, he takes the job offer and finds himself on a road trip across America, amidst an ethereal realm of forgotten gods in the form of human beings. The gods know Shadow better than he knows himself. In mid-America, a careful plot has been set where all the gods turn against each other and fight ceaselessly in a war known as the Storm. Shadow is the only one who can stop the gods from turning the world into non-existence.

“American Gods” redefines religion and culture with subtle symbolism and unforgiving imagery. This piece of fiction goes beyond its own genre, incorporating real places in America, mythology and all sorts of religion including Paganism, Egyptian Monotheism, Christianity and Hinduism. The characters are memorable, and this fast-paced novel is suited for the audience looking for a unique read of action, romance, adventure and mystery. Explicit violence and sex. Open-minded readers are a must.