The first time I've read a book online. In a way that was great, as I kept Wikipedia and Google Maps opened in other browser windows while reading the novel in another - there were so many myths and gods and places to look up that it was a most satisfying way of doing it, though probably bad for my eyes. Not so good when the internet connection went down either...Thoroughly enjoyable book - although for me the sex scenes were unnecessarily graphic.read more

I couldn't put this one down! First Gaiman I've read; won't be the last.read more

I had been chasing "American Gods" for quite a while. Now that I've acquired it and read it, I found the book worth the chase. In waiting a while to write the review, I'm wondering if the excitement of the chase has influenced my rating a little.The root of the story, humans created gods as their versions of personifications of an idea or an ideal, is one that has occurred to many of us at one time or another. Gaiman goes the next step and ties in the requirement of people still believing what they've created to keep these gods alive. Taken as a whole, we find a new take on the expression “Twilight of the Gods” and an updated version of the final battle of the gods as recounted in many legends.Because the plot references may be obscure to some people, although Neil Gaiman does a credible job of educating the reader along the way, you may approach this story on many levels. On one level, you may simply let yourself be immersed in the story and go with the flow. You do not need to know all the classical references to to appreciate the struggle for survival the characters are facing. On another level, American Gods become a parable for the direction we, primarily the American people, are going and the struggles we face to maintain our place in the order of things. On yet another level, this is a timeless classic of growth and rebirth, where death is not an ending, but a new beginning.One of the more interesting twists on classical mythology involves Shadow, one of the human protagonists, and his wife Laura. In the Greek story story of Orpheus, Orpheus descends into the underworld, searching for this wife. Gaiman neatly reverses this in having Laura coming back from the dead to protect Shadow.Never having read Gaiman previous to this book, I only knew of him by reputation. I understand many more people know him from his graphic novels than through his purely written work. His background shows throughout "American Gods". While the descriptions are rich, the story is just begging to be illustrated. It is also just dark enough to maybe attract Hollywood screenwriters. Actually, I hope not. I enjoyed this book too much to see it sacrificed and reborn on that altar.While definitely above a four star rating, I find myself questioning the extra half star I gave it. I can easily let it stand there as it by no means immortal enough to deserve a full five stars. Classical literature fans may appreciate the modernizations of the archetypes presented here and, as unlikely as it may first appear, cyberpunk fans may find some new heroes in these pages. Well worth pursuing for fans of darker literature, but there is not enough technology for this to be even remotely considered steampunk.read more