American Gods by Neil Gaiman

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


American Gods (American Gods #1) by Neil Gaiman

2001
Audiobook, author’s edition
Fiction, mystery
Book group read
Rating: 3/5

Where to begin to describe “American Gods”?

“Circumstances rule men, men do not rule circumstances.”
Herodotus, father of history

Shadow Moon was looking forward to his release after 3 years in prison and returning to his wife, Laura in Eagle Point, IN. He is still in shock when he gets released a few days early as his wife was killed in a car accident. He had survived his time in prison with the mantra: “You do your own time in prison; you don’t do anyone else’s time.” He stayed under the radar with no intentions of returning to prison. He starts to rethink his plan when he is approached by a stranger on his flight home. Mr Wednesday seems to know a lot about him which makes he uncomfortable. Shadow attempts to dodge the man by exiting his flight and renting a car to continue his journey home.

He stops to eat and is surprised by the presence of Mr Saturday and a man named Mad Sweeney. Discovering he didn’t have much waiting for him at home, he entertains Mr Saturday’s job proposition. To seal his agreement with Saturday, he is made to drink 3 meads, honey wine known to be wine of the gods and consumed by the Vikings.

Random chapters reveal disturbing stories involving unusual situations involving gods. In Chicago, a goddess devoured a man who worships her. Another story explains Essie McGowen and her travels on the Seamaiden to Norfolk, VA with child which saves her from prison.

Shadow finds himself on an adventure across America encountering various interesting colleagues he soon realizes are “old gods” being recruited to fight against the “new gods” who thrive in materialistic America. The story serves as a examination of the soul of America.

What I find fascinating is the story behind the story.
There is a reference in the book to the House on the Rock in Madison, WI. It’s not a coincidence that this place exists and has its own very bizarre beginnings.
The book describes this place very accurately which makes it pretty creepy. Alex Jordan gradually built up the current structure back in 1945. Even the story about how and why the creation became such a big ordeal is riddled with controversy. A book was written called “House of Alex“ in 1990 to serve as biography of Alex Jordan which has been highly criticized.

The following are web articles which captivated by attention. I discovered that this is also a streaming show due to start its second season with some filming at the House on the Rock.

As much as I was drawn to several themes in the book, overall it was too much. I guess I found my new threshold.

https://www.thehouseontherock.com/exh...

https://www.thehouseontherock.com/exh...

https://curiosity.com/topics/the-hous...

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/wd...

http://thetangential.com/2014/11/30/t...

http://www.cultofweird.com/americana/...

http://www.cultofweird.com/blog/march...

http://milwaukeerecord.com/city-life/...

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1907557237

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