Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Anyone here read Neil Gaiman's "American Gods"?

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
Home » Discuss » DU Groups » Reading & Writing » Fantasy Literature Group Donate to DU
 
Silver Gaia Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-09-04 11:34 PM
Original message
Anyone here read Neil Gaiman's "American Gods"?
I loved this! It's a real romp... set in modern times but peopled with the old gods... great fun!
Refresh | 0 Recommendations Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
Khephra Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-10-04 02:57 AM
Response to Original message
1. Great book, but I liked his work on Sandman much more
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
DrWeird Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-10-04 08:08 PM
Response to Original message
2. Just finished it.
'S pretty good read.

Didn't think he'd wrap up all the loose ends, but it did.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
starroute Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-04 12:30 AM
Response to Original message
3. I like some of his other novels better
Stardust is probably my favorite, then Neverwhere. I thought that compared to those, American Gods was a big of a mess -- too long and with too many subplots.

Good Omens, which Gaiman co-wrote with Terry Pratchett, is one I'd personally rank a bit lower, for being slightly gooey at the center, but there are a lot of people who love it.

All well worth reading, of course.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
RandomUser Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-04 06:53 AM
Response to Original message
4. Couldn't finish it
I got a third of a way through and then ditched the book.

It seemed like basically a rehash of his earlier work on Sandman, which was much better done than American Gods. All the themes (old gods in modern times, etc.) were exactly the same, but less beautifully developed or complex compared to Sandman.

If you liked American Gods, you'll love his Sandman series ten times as much. The emotional intensity, darkly contemplative atmosphere, and character development of Sandman is extremely well done.

Don't let the fact that it looks like a comic book put you off. The subject matter and discourse is extremely mature. It's the only graphic novel to ever win the World Fantasy Award. (The next year, they changed the rules so that comic books could never win an award intended for novels :D)
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
Pithlet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Dec-11-04 04:27 PM
Response to Original message
5. I loved it.
I'm a huge Neil Gaiman fan. Like others here have said, you should check out the Sandman series. It's incredible.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
davidinalameda Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Dec-20-04 06:44 PM
Response to Original message
6. I enjoyed it
I haven't read Sandman so I can't compare it

Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
porkrind Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Dec-30-04 01:54 AM
Response to Original message
7. I liked it.
I think he has a great writing style and sense of story pace. His characters and descriptions are great. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that the story was very formulaic, and he seemed to leave parts in because they fit the formula, when he should have edited them out because they detracted from the story. It's worth reading, but it won't change your life. :)
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
Blue-Jay Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Dec-31-04 02:47 PM
Response to Original message
8. I thought it was good.
Not as good as Neverwhere, but everyone has different tastes.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Thu Jun 06th 2024, 01:56 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » DU Groups » Reading & Writing » Fantasy Literature Group Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC