Hello Readers,
I finally did it, I finally read American Gods after
watching the first season on the TV series but hey we got there. The plot is
complicated, yet crammed with marvels as the beginning promises pleasures and
horrors, the middle disturbs the balance, and the ending surprises.
Shadow Moon is a big, soft-spoken, ex-con whose life is
shattered by the tragic death of his wife (Laura) in a car accident. While reeling from
the aftermath of his loss, Shadow is approached by smooth-talking and
mysterious man named Mr. Wednesday. Shadow is paid by Wednesday to be an
errand boy while he travels America trying to rally his troops in preparation
for a war between The Old Gods, and The New Gods.
The Old Gods were brought over by immigrants. Wild,
fantastical tales of elephant-headed men and trickster spiders with tales of power,
lust, fear and worship. While The New Gods created by the immigrants'
descendants. Have evolved into the Gods of money, media and might. Newly formed
out of the hopes, dreams and desires of a people who've long since forgotten
the Old Gods. I’m sorry but I have to say The Gods are the best part of this book degenerate and threadbare, yet still Gods, capable of inspiring
both allegiance and terror.
The Gods are sustained in this world, by
people’s worship and their belief in them. When the ancient Norsemen came to
America, they brought belief in their Gods with them. When they made sacrifices
to Norse Gods, it made them strong and powerful. Equally, as the people forgot
about the Gods and stopped telling their tales and making offerings to them,
their power waned.
These New Gods of Media, Technology, Internet, Electricity,
Highways, Drugs, etc. are young, brash and full of strength due to the worship
and adoration they receive. Now, these young Gods are looking to destroy The
Old Gods and claim supremacy over all of Godliness.
Neil paints a portrait of America that resembles America
as we know it, to me his America might be closer to the truth than some are
comfortable with. To
me, this story feels old and established almost legend, like in itself passed down
from generation to generation. I think this was because I watched the first season of the TV series
first. Neil celebrates the underground spiritual traditions, glory in the
magnificence of its landmarks, landscapes, and bizarre tourist traps, and most
important Gods in decline, battered and diminished as they may be by the
shallowness and speed of our new technological world. The creepiness factor is there, the writing
is brilliant, Shadow is a big lug you can't help but love. I have always been
fascinated by mythology, so that's an added bonus.
Gaiman loves not only fantasy, but also mystery and
horror, and here he fulfils the genre requirements
of all. This story works on multiple
levels on its surface its a fantasy, rich in detail and fun to read, but leaves the reader satisfied, with a lot to think about once
the book is put down.
Just a little bit about the TV series I’ve just finished
season two and I’m still loving it and I hated Laura most of season one and
part of season two but she’s slowly melting my ice heart. Also, Ricky Whittle
who plays Shadow plays Captain East in Austenland and I can’t move past it.
Turns out I have an irrational fear of Crispin Glover. This goes for both the book and the TV series Bilquis ewwwww.
Lx
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