American Gods / Anansi Boys

American Gods #1-2

by Neil Gaiman

American Gods: Days before his release from prison, Shadow's wife, Laura, dies in a mysterious car crash. Travelling home, he encounters the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday, who claims to be a refugee from a distant war, a former god and the king of America. Together they embark on a profoundly strange journey across the heart of the USA, whilst all around them a storm of preternatural and epic proportions threatens to break...

Anansi Boys: Fat Charlie Nancy is not having a good week. His estranged father recently dropped dead on a karaoke stage and has left him with much more than just the embarrassment he felt about his dad. Because, you see, Charlie has just discovered that his dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi the trickster spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and even baffle the devil. No wonder Fat Charlie's life is about to be turned upside down...

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology, Classics, Urban Fantasy, Collections, Horror

724 pages, Leather Bound

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rikke · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all; this edition is gorgeous - and filled with lovely details. With richly illustrated endpapers, shiny silver edges, a ribbon silk bookmark and a very symbolic cover design, it is a treasure for every Neil Gaiman fan and every admirer of beautiful books in general. I am so happy to display it on my shelf.

Of course the two novels it contains are gorgeously crafted as well. Neil Gaiman truly is a wizard, and every word he writes is filled with magic. I especially like how these two novels correspond to one another, without being directly intertwined at all. "American Gods" draws its reader into a wondrous world of mythology and belief, while "Anansi Boys" focuses solely one aspect of that world. Perhaps it is best (and most correct) to read "American Gods" first; but in my opinion it definitely would be possible to start with "Anansi Boys" as well.

I recently read "American Gods" (You can read my review here), and it left me puzzled, dazzled and confused at its complexity. I never fully grasped the many strings of Gaimans tightly woven storyline, and I will need to reread it carefully and with undivided attention another time.

"American Gods" left me undecided, so I postponed "Anansi Boys" for a couple of weeks. I wasn't expecting a lot from it - and what a foolish mistake! "Anansi Boys" turned out to be completely and utterly mesmerizing, a page-turner, a quick, fun and beautiful read. I was dragged into one of Anansi's stories, left in his glittering spider web, and caught in a cocoon of dark strangeness. My heart ached for Fat Charlie, I sent blaming glances at Spider, and I was in awe of another, even curiouser, world of Gods, religion and myth.
The story is witty, it is fun and it is endlessly charming. Gaiman's imagery never fails, and I loved the idea of someone being divided into two halves of a whole. The additional starfish-growth was hinted long before I even realized what was going on - which is such a typical trick of both Anansi and Gaiman himself. It is in fact quite fitting that Gaiman chose to examine the God of stories, of tales, of words and of trickery - because he himself is such a God.


“Stories are like spiders, with all they long legs, and stories are like spiderwebs, which man gets himself all tangled up in but which look pretty when you see them under a leaf in the morning dew, and in the elegant way that they connect to one another, each to each.” - Neil Gaiman, "Anansi Boys"

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf at page 49 (7%)

[Ryan]

So, I've just finished American Gods. Boy did it take a long time, but it was worth it. It's a slightly confusing book, I admit, with more than a couple slow parts, but when it gets fast, and when things start coming together, well... Let's just say you don't mind that the wall behind you is now plastered with your brains.

It's really two stories mixed together. The first is the story of Shadow and Wednesday. Shadow just got out of prison and is "hired" on as Wednesday's driver. Wednesday is trying to raise an army of the Old Gods (The gods the settlers in America brought with them) to battle against the New Gods (such as the gods of planes and trains and automobiles.) This ends in a way completely contrary to how you believe it will. Just trust me on this. At the end of the book, it all makes sense.

The second story is about Shadow when he's living in a town called "Lakeside" as a man named "Mike Ainsel" (It makes sense when you read the book, which I highly suggest you do.) Lakeside is a peaceful town in the middle of nowhere where nothing bad happens. A girl disappears and then Shadow A.K.A. Mike is high-jacked back into the main story before you get any closure.

Until the epilogue, when once again, everything makes sense.

But what did I expect from the genius that co-wrote "Good Omens?" It's a work of art, really, and I highly suggest anyone who likes a good, long book read this.

[Shelby M. (Read and Find Out)]

Gave American Gods 2.5 stars. Putting this bind-up on hold until I actually feel like continuing.

[Siona Adams]

Read the first chapter and couldn’t really get into it. I like the idea of the “Old Gods” coming to America, but the writing style was just kind of boring. Gaimen seems to be hit or miss with me. I think Neverland will be the last of his novels I try. Really enjoy his comic work tho

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Gods (December 11-24, 2019) - 3 stars

I’m somewhat underwhelmed. I should have read more mythology first before I tackled this book. The gods were interesting, yes. I liked learning about the gods from different pantheons. Most of it was unfamiliar territory for me, but I was fine with it. I started this book not knowing what it was all about, and as soon as it hit me, I was starting to get excited about it. Just as how I get excited with other Neil Gaiman books. But I just can’t help but wonder why the execution was so slow, and the story dragged on and on. It’s like a longer, stretched out version of his book, Norse Mythology......plus other gods.

The plot is unique. New gods and old gods fight for whomever gets to stay in America. I was hooked. It sounded epic! I was prepared to read this through and through. I had my hot tea, my cozy blanket. I was armed to read!

Later on, I found out that 80% of the book was mostly traipsing around the country looking for gods and recruiting them for the Great War.

And then you get at the end of the book, and you just feel like Neil Gaiman was dangling candy in front of you only to find out it expired a couple months back.

I do like the ending. I know I’m starting to sound confusing. However, it just wasn’t the ending I expected.

My thirst for blood and gore wasn’t satisfied. I was waiting for broken limbs, and blood spurting and masses of gods clashing with each other on acres of battleground. (I have that game of thrones fever that hasn’t subsided.)

But you know, it’s alright. It’s all good. He still appeased the other reader in me.

I can only imagine how much time and research he’s put into this book. It didn’t read like non fiction, but I felt like I was educated. And even though this wasn’t what I expected, it’s still made me appreciate Gaiman as an author. He is terribly good. He won’t give you what you expect, but he’ll still deliver.

Years from now, I’ll probably reread American Gods and have a different opinion of it. And I’ll probably say, thank goodness he wrote it this way and not the way my immature/amateur brain predicted it to be. Who would want to read something so obvious anyway?

In a way, American Gods felt like nails scratching on the chalkboard and I was a confused masochist.

Put it on the back burner, or read another book in between reading this. Once you finish it, it's rewarding enough in my opinion.

Anansi Boys (December 24-27, 2019) - 5 stars

After reading American Gods, I felt relieved to find the magical writing that I've come to love. Anansi Boys is naughty, adventurous, funny and whimsical. It's dessert after American Gods.

That being said, you don't have to start off with American Gods first in order to enjoy Anansi Boys. This book can definitely stand on its own. Just like how one can go straight to dessert come dinner time.

I really liked the Anansi Boys and how their brotherly bond developed as the story progresses. Neil Gaiman weaves such wonderful and intricate stories that you just can't seem to get enough of.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

American Gods is ok. It's Stephen King wearing an American flag suit and an uneasy smile. The ending was also completely naff. I skipped Anansi Boys for now, might read it later.

[April Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful. This is my first Gaiman novel and I’m sorry to have waited so long. But I’m glad it was these two books.

If you like mythology and you like getting different perspectives of myths you’ll enjoy these books. Both bring something beautifully mysterious to the table.

[Alexander Theofanidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Gods ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

American Gods by Neil Gaiman is a rare masterpiece of contemporary speculative fiction. With a singular blend of mythology, psychology, and social commentary, Gaiman constructs a world at once strange and enchanting, where the old gods – Odin, Bilquis, and Anansi among them – clash with the new deities of the modern age: Technology, Television, Capital, the Internet. These are not merely gods in the traditional sense, but incarnations of our contemporary fixations and dependencies.

In an America that initially feels familiar but gradually reveals itself to be increasingly mythic, this confrontation becomes the stage for a multi-layered meditation on belief – and what it means to believe. The story begins as Shadow Moon, a quiet, introspective man, is released from prison a few days ahead of schedule. When he accepts a position with the enigmatic Mr Wednesday, he embarks on a journey through a reality that slowly melts away, transforming into something far older, more dangerous, and eerily familiar.

Shadow is a character of great depth and quiet mystery – a perfect mirror for the reader, as he descends into a world balanced delicately between the real and the fantastical. The prose is at once dark, lyrical, and replete with hidden truths that unfold at a pace both deliberate and hypnotically captivating.

Gaiman’s true gift lies in his ability to embody abstract concepts in forms that are vivid and richly nuanced. His gods are not mere mythological entities — they are incarnations of belief, of oblivion, of commerce and of code. Characters such as “Mr World” and “Technical Boy” do not merely represent powers — they are the powers themselves. Through them, Gaiman offers a commentary of prophetic clarity on American culture and the ever-shifting nature of identity, devotion, and memory itself.

There is something of Borges in the mythological density of the text, and of Murakami in its metaphysical, dreamlike rendering of the everyday made uncanny. Gaiman’s language is rich without ever being overwrought, laden with images that lodge themselves in the mind. The narrative unfolds slowly and reflectively, but every page offers a reward – a thought, a resonance, a feeling that lingers long after the reading ends.

Many first encountered the work through its television adaptation, which, though it began with promise and striking visual flair, failed to capture the novel’s multi-dimensional depth and its hauntingly philosophical atmosphere. Despite commendable performances and visually impressive sequences, the series became mired in narrative ambiguity and creative discord, leading to a loss of cohesion and audience engagement.

If any of Gaiman’s works merited a faithful screen adaptation, it might perhaps have been the more recent Norse Mythology, though that text is notably stripped of the imaginative and philosophical weight that defines American Gods. Though drawn from the same mythic sources, it presents the Norse deities with a simplicity bordering on the didactic, echoing the sparse quality of the original sagas. What it lacks is the existential tension, the allegorical richness, and the poetic cadence that elevate Gaiman's best work. The result is a collection of stories that is pleasant and accessible, yet ultimately flat – some might even call it a “cash grab,” hastily produced and conspicuously lacking in spark.

Returning to American Gods: it is, in essence, an experience. A journey into the heart of belief, identity, and of America itself. A profound, layered, and utterly compelling novel that reaffirms why Neil Gaiman stands as one of the foremost authors of contemporary fantasy (and why works such as Norse Mythology are, frankly, something of a letdown).



Anansi Boys ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In an era when identity, cultural heritage, and primordial narratives have returned to the forefront of literature and public discourse, Neil Gaiman offers a tale that bridges myth with lived experience. Anansi Boys (2005) is not merely an informal sequel to American Gods, but a self-contained and deeply human story, firmly rooted in mythology without ever losing its emotional core.

If American Gods grappled with the clash between the old gods and the modern world, Anansi Boys turns its attention to the legacy of the trickster god Anansi and how that legacy shapes his mortal descendants. The novel is more intimate, more buoyant, and unmistakably more playful. It explores what it means to carry not just the name, but the divine essence of an ancestor who governs chaos, storytelling, and—crucially—laughter.

The protagonist, Charlie Nancy, leads a rather colourless and carefully ordered life—until the death of his father reveals that he was, in fact, Anansi. With this revelation comes Spider: his charismatic, dangerous, and “magically anarchic” (or perhaps “anarchically magical”?) brother. From the moment Spider enters Charlie’s life, he dismantles everything familiar—yet simultaneously opens a door to what has long been repressed: to freedom, courage, and ultimately, self-knowledge.

Their relationship forms the narrative heart of the novel. At first, Spider appears as a threat—a living embodiment of all Charlie dares not be. But gradually, this opposition gives way to an inner reconciliation. Charlie does not reject Spider, nor does he transcend him. He assimilates him. Their bond becomes a mirror of psychic maturation, a realisation that wholeness can come only through the acceptance of contradiction.

This coming-of-age arc allows Gaiman to deploy the full range of his narrative talents: humour, myth, emotional truth. The plot meanders between fairytale and comedy, at times evoking the allegorical clarity of Ishiguro’s The Buried Giant, yet infused with Gaiman’s signature theatricality and cartoon-like whimsy.

Mythology here is not used ornamentally. Gaiman does not merely "borrow" from African myth, but rather recentres the diasporic African narrative within an Anglophone literary framework. Anansi, the archetypal trickster, is reimagined not as a romanticised or “exoticised” figure, but as alive and contemporary—an emblem of power and liberation. In this way, Anansi Boys becomes a meditation on cultural heritage, transformation, and the survival of myth in the modern Western imagination.

It is also worth noting that although the story is primarily concerned with Charlie and Spider, the female characters are by no means ancillary. On the contrary, they serve as catalysts and autonomous agents. Gaiman resists reducing them to narrative props—they frequently drive or subtly shape the story, exerting influence that is at once human and mythological.

Gaiman’s prose remains distinctive, not merely in style but in its fluid movement from the mundane to the dreamlike. A representative passage: “It is a small world. You do not have to go very far to find it. You can get there by bus. You can get there by taxi. You can even walk there, if you are not in a hurry. But you must never go back the way you came.”

The simplicity of this phrase, almost childlike in tone, conceals narrative depth and existential resonance. Anansi Boys is replete with such stylistic moments, where humour coexists with melancholy, and the absurd dances tenderly with the profound.

Spider, in particular, stands out as one of Gaiman’s most memorable creations. He is not merely a divine sibling or a conman; he is instinct itself, the subterranean truth beneath the lie, the dream that demands no permission. The Spider–Charlie polarity—light and shadow, reason and absurdity—evolves into an allegory of identity. And Charlie’s journey, from shade into light, is not transformation but a return to the self.

Anansi Boys is a mature, multilayered novel that fuses myth with contemporary psychological narrative, humour with existential commentary. Gaiman tells a story about gods and men that, in the end, reveals more about ourselves than about any pantheon. It is a work that reads effortlessly, yet lingers long after its final page. A literary gem that weaves together laughter, myth, and heart.

[Rowie · Rating 3 out of 5]

American Gods **

This book taught me there is a Neil Gaiman book that can dissapoint me. It's a slowburner, but when things finally start moving I couldn't bring myself to be fully invested. While reading I often couldn't pinpoint a character's motivation. This frustrated me. I felt like they were constantly on the road, but it wasn't made clear why. Even in the end I'm not sure if I fully know the answer. Some things do get explained but they seem a little convoluted.

The book has beautiful sentences, as can be expected of a Neil Gaiman book. But it can't save the dissapointing characterization, especially concerning the main character. It's almost like Gaiman used a technique that some young adult novelists are famous for. To make a plain main character so people can fill in the blanks.

For me the book was too slow. It didn't excite me, so I didn't take some of the weirdness for granted. Although I have to say it does pick up near the end and make things a little more interesting. I just kept hoping the conclusion would have been different. I found myself fantasizing about how the book would go and I honestly like my version more. But I can't bring myself to give one star to a book that still makes me smile and daydream about.

_____________

Anansi Boys ****

Let's face it: Neil Gaiman's books are weird and quirky. No matter which one you read. But his best ones all have a human core that is surrounded by all the magic. You could say this book is about finding your gift, magic rituals, the thin veil between life and death and predators. But at the heart of it, this is a book about family and discovering the life you lead may not be best suited to you. It's about making life changing choices and overcoming your fear. It's about the power of stories in any form or shape. About the power of words and karma. Also, fedoras.

While American Gods didn't make the characters come to life for me, Anansi Boys did make me care for them. They may not all be fully realized or multidimensional (especially Rosie's mom), but they do feel genuine and real (within the laws of the universe that's created). I also really like how the epilogue was done. It made me feel content, but it wasn't drawn out.

[Nadia Zeemeeuw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never have a deal with gods... and never take a seat on a board next to them as well.
The weirdest thing about Americans Gods is I have started reading this book a couple of times before in translation. And never go further than the first chapter. When two weeks ago I was staying in front of the bookshelf in American Book Center in Amsterdam and thinking what should buy using my gift certificate this book somehow just jumped into my hand. Mysteriously it had the same price as my certificate had. And I decided to give it a second (or third?) chance. Omg, it was pure delight! It seems like Neil Gaiman with some bookworms magic sent me back to days when my only pleasure was to find the thickest book ever and deep in it completely.
As l learned the another part of this new 2016 edition Anansi boys is not a sequel of "American gods", it's just one more book from Gaiman's God Universe. Good to know I don't need to leave it yet. Though "American gods" can’t complain about luck of humor there is way more delicate irony in "Anansi boys". I had such a warm feeling when I turned over the last page I wish this book has more pages.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love, love, love Gaiman's writing and the intricate worlds he creates. He pulls you into his stories and makes you feel like you're actually experiencing events alongside the protagonists.
My one minor beef (from both stories) is that he tends to overanalyze and explain things. It reminds of an episode of 30 Rock where Tracy asks Liz if it was really a necessary part of the story for her to describe a sandwich. Too much detail can be just as bad as not enough.

(Individual book reviews to come)

[Tiago Coxo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theres a lot to be said about a couple of stories that were brought to life mere months before 9/11 but I wont be saying any of those things because I lack the patience to deal with American cry babies. Overall both American Gods and Anansi Boys could do better with a somewhat lighter aproach and a little less Y2K misogyny

[Alinde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Op zich een leuk verhaal, hoewel het best langzaam op gang komt. Sterk minpunt is de denigrerende manier waarop er soms over vrouwen geschreven werd. Als dat niet zo was geweest was dit een driesterrenrating geweest, maar de manier van schrijven soms haalt er een ster vanaf. Ik ga Anansi Boys ook niet meer lezen.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been a long slow Reed, one that you need to concentrate on , which is not helpful when you're tired like I was last night.
I can't say this is my favourite Neil Gaiman book, it doesn't have the attention demanding read like , some of his other books.
I didn't connect well with the characters this time and I think that's what made the book less interesting to me?

[Ran · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I liked American Gods but I absolutely loved Anansi's boys.

[Floris Weyns · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Gods was geweldig leuk en meeslepend. Anansi Boys was wat moeilijker inkomen omdat de hoofdpersoon aan het begin niet heel veel diepte heeft, maar dat wordt gaandeweg beter

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

AMERICAN GODS - 4 stars

This is a story where I enjoy the idea/concept more than the execution/plot. The premise of Gods living among humans and the idea of human belief fueling the Gods are excellent. I truly enjoyed the idea of Old Gods (based on mythology and traditions) and New Gods (the modern belief in science and technology) co-existing and facing each other. As a fan of mythology, I like reading and identifying the deities from worldwide. However, the plot was vague and not fully explained. The pacing was slow from time to time, which made the story feels stagnant. This is Neil Gaiman’s typical magical realism, and it made the story feel very fragmented. Some characters who felt significant turned out nothing too special at all. Some parts of the story showed so much potential, but they were not fully realized.

Overall, the story made enough sense to not cause total confusion, but the explanations for some of the characters' actions felt glossed over. For example, why exactly does Wednesday need a biological son for his plan? It seems like any guy with a decent sense of loyalty will do. I am sure that there are some traditions or magical explanations for it, but it just felt weak. After all, he did say Shadow’s sacrifice was special. But why was it special? I don’t know whether to blame Neil Gaiman’s writing or the nature of magical realism for this. Sometimes, his story does not fully satisfy my need for logical progression, but it is enough for me to accept the story. I finished reading but was left somewhat unsatisfied; I wanted more from the story.

It is a good story, but I think my expectations were too unrealistically high. I liked the imagination that went into this world (which is what bumped it up to 4 stars), but I just wish the story was more…concentrated. It felt very mild in the sense that the plot did not have a lot of ups and downs.

Who is this book NOT for? People who has no interest in mythology or magical realism. People who demands highly detailed explanations for every action. Afterall, this is not a typical “fantasy” story in which the magical system and world were fully explored. Also, this is not for people who enjoy character-driven books. The characters in this story felt a bit flat and underdeveloped, nor were their motivations entirely clearly. Shadow is…simply being in the story and watching it unfolds. He did have to make decisions, but he always felt like an observer to me. This is a plot-driven novel where the story flows through the character. I don’t mind this, but I can see how some people may find the characters bland.

Lastly, I read the original 2001 edition, not the 10th anniversary 2011 expanded edition. Perhaps the 2011 edition is better. I don’t know.




ANANSI BOYS - 1 star

Objectively speaking, the plot engaging, the protagonist showed proud character development, and there is a nicely tied-up ending. However, this story hit all the wrong notes for me, and my personal reading experience is highly unpleasant. In my opinion, the characters are extremely unlikable, and the relationships/interactions between the characters were distasteful.

Please keep in mind that people have different preferences; hidden below in the spoiler is my subjective opinion and some of the issues that I personally have.


ISSUE 1: UNLIKABLE AND STEREOTYPICAL CHARACTERS

1) Fat Charlie:
Pathetically spineless, lack of ambition with a tendency to be overly complacent, extremely low self-esteem, absolutely no self-confidence, utterly unmemorable, ridiculously bad luck in pretty much everything…these characters traits were exaggerated to such a degree that it felt like an awkward fusion of common stereotypes. A “stereotypical” loser. For me, it is very hard to like or support a character when he or she does not have a single ounce of self-respect or the drive for self-improvement. I felt exasperated by his lack of any normal social interaction skills, and I was periodically infuriated by his cowardly displays and inability to do anything.

Fat Charlie did experience amazing character growth, and he turned out much better in the end. This actually made him somewhat enjoyable to read about, and I did love seeing his accomplishment. However, the initial package of every unattractive character trait possible greatly reduced my enjoyment for the story.

2) Spider:
What can I even say about this character? A cocky and self-centered character who learned his lesson and turned out to be good? In a literal sense, he was everything Fat Charlie that was not. Everyone loved Spider because he was charming and charismatic. If Fat Charlie was the stereotypical “loser”, Spider would be the stereotypical “cool dude”.

Spider showed apathy towards others’ feelings and freely abused his God powers. What particular angered me was his decision to completely disregard Fat Charlie and went around to sleep with his fiancée. One may argue that his godly heritage made him think and act different, so he should not be constrained by human standards. Objectively speaking, I agree and I understand how he became the way he is. Subjectively speaking? The idea that he knowingly persuaded Rosie into sexual relationship despite the fact that she is engaged to Fat Charlie appalled me. Spider did change through his journey, but similar to the case of Fat Charlie, the initial shock was too much.

3) Rosie:
In my opinion, Rosie is the flattest character. One can summarize Rose with the following: do good. To clarify, I am not looking down on her humanitarian passion or innate kindness. The issue I have is how flat and unconvincing the author tries to show this character trait to the readers. The book showed that Rosie is the type of person who goes on vacation to beautiful tropical islands and feel internally sick to see how poor the people are. I cannot think of any real person who would react to this situation as violently as her. This may sound heartless and again, I am not discrediting humanitarianism, but who in the world goes on vacation to relax, sees some of the most amazing natural views, and internally breaks down/weeps over any sign of poverty? Perhaps some people do, but it felt extremely unreal and fake to me. More discussions on my issue with Rosie in the “character relationship” section of my review.


ISSUE 2: CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS & INTERACTIONS
When it comes to the character relationships/interactions portrayed in the story, my two main issues are: 1) how stereotypical they are, and 2) how they conflict with my personal values, which makes me subjectively dislike them.

1) Rosie and Fat Charlie
Before I start, let me state that I hate stories where two people engaged in a serious/committed relationship realize that they are not meant to be and break-up after meeting their "true love" through some strange arrangements made up by the author. I am sure that this scenario happens in real life, and people are free to pursue their own happiness. However, this is a not a theme that I enjoy to read about in fictions. It is simply a matter of personal preference.

I have issues with several aspects of this relationship. Firstly, Rosie’s own motivations is ambiguous. It never seemed that Rosie was truly in love with Charlie, and this is made obvious when she met Spider. On several occasions, it was suggested in the book that Rosie's decision to marry Fat Charlie is based on her mother's disapproval of him. When her mother showed enthusiasm towards the wedding, Rosie actually became unsettled and wondered if she made a wrong decision. Why is Rosie reacting like this? I don’t know, it just seemed very discomforting and messed up to me.

On one hand, Fat Charlie is absolutely devoted to Rosie, and in comparison, Rosie just…ditches him for a better guy when the opportunity comes up? Again, I understand that people have rights to pursue their own freedom, but cheating on and deserting one's fiancé so late in the process is unconventional. I admit that I always prefer “true love” story in the sense that a couple overcomes challenges and stays true to each other; marriage-until-death-do-us-apart is my favourite story. Rosie realized that she is not in love with Fat Charlie and decided to end the engagement. This is fine and it is better than being stuck in an unhappy marriage. However, Rosie did not have a single conversation with Fat Charlie about this issue. Instead of meeting Fat Charlie face-to-face and explain why she made the choice she did, Rosie just went away and got together with Spider. It’s understandable for Rosie to break up her engagement, but I think she owes Fat Charlie an explanation and a chance to talk. Rosie’s actions to careless drop Fat Charlie strongly conflicts with my personal views and values, which is why I have strong issues with this relationship.

2)Rosie and Spider
This relationship is the definition of problematic to me.
To start off, Rosie’s reaction towards Spider is both disturbing and boringly stereotypical. Spider was using his magical powers to influence Rosie’s thinking and decisions. Their relationship started off on deception and dubious consent. For me, this was worsened by the fact that Spider influenced Rosie into sexual activities even though she was committed to not engage in sex until after marriage. This was one of Rosie’s strong belief and value in life, yet Spider completely disrespected it and “commanded” her to abandon her value.

What disturbed me even more is that Rosie reacted to Spider’s manipulation by falling in love with him. Imagine a stranger deceived and manipulated you into a relationship of dubious consent, and after you become fully aware, you decide to fall in love this stranger. That is very creepy and distasteful to me. Sadly, it also reminded me of numerous badly-written Young Adult romances where the girl falls in love with the handsome/cool but borderline abusive dude. This is an unsettling and cliched plot device that I can do without.

On the other hand, Spider’s reaction is so cliched that I cannot help but roll my eyes. Again, this is reminiscent of some badly-written YA romance where the dude plans to just play around but “surprisingly” falls in love with the girl and learns the true meaning of love. Rosie suddenly became “the one and only” and she was able to make Spider feel emotions that he had never known before. This is too corny for me. It is not as if this type of character development should never occur; I have read and enjoyed stories with similar premise. Please note how I used the phrase “badly-written YA romance” in my previous explanations. I think the fault here is not with the character development, but rather the author’s ability to convincingly show this type of character development to the readers. I do not think Neil Gaiman did the best with the romantic relationship between Rosie and Spider.



This is probably the longest review I wrote so far, and it is unfortunately about a story which I strongly dislike. If you have no issue with characterization and the relationships portrayed in the story, you might enjoy this. I would give it a 3-star rating from an objective point of view, but because I dislike the characters and relationships so much, I found it difficult for me to enjoy.

[Kuinoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two great works of fiction by Neil Gaiman.
American Gods is a powerful novel, exploring the pluricultural nature of the United States through the physical manifestation of the diverse series of beliefs its peoples have. It also goes deeper into the power of these beliefs and how they shape our world.
Anansi Boys is not as broad, it focuses more on family dynamics, with great characterization work, an enjoyable mix of comedy and drama, and a magnetic use of creative fiction.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

American Gods (4/60)- American Gods by Neil Gaiman -- This is a book about belief. It is about the clash of the new and the old. It is about the necessity of selfishness for survival. I liked it. It wasn't without fault, though. My biggest gripe is that maddeningly slow roll-out of the plot. Why can't you lie to me? Or tell me half-truths? But the constant "you don't need to know, so I'm not going to tell you" drives me nuts! A mystery is more mysterious when you don't know that you don't know things!! When you know that they are keeping things from you, you start to resent your circumstances pretty fast. Still, I liked the characters. I liked Shadow and I liked Wednesday and most of all, I liked Mr. Nancy. Happy I read it.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVED THEM!!!!! Quite possibly my new favorite books.

[Curly Entropy · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Gods 100/10
Anansi Boys 8/10

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I was not a fan of this book I found it boring. Honestly it was so slow, Shadow was so boring, there was no point of having Laura in the book. the interaction between Shadow and Wednesday was boring and the ending was just stupid. I expected so much more from this book.

Spoiler time:
Shadow, I thought I would like the character with the whole just being released from prison and having his wife just die. Then he finds out in the cruelest way that his wife not only cheated on him but died while giving his best friend a blowjob while driving. I mean really Gaiman you couldn't have just said she died in a car accident?
I also did not like the fact that throughout the entire book Shadow basically goes along with what ever Wednesday says without a thought or care in the world and does not really ask questions and want to know answers? Not only does Shadow get kidnapped and threatened and beaten(which one of the those times he is miraculously saved by his zombie wife.) he continues to blindly follow Wednesday. I am sorry if i am kidnapped once I am not going anywhere else with you at all.
Then on this trip of theirs Shadow starts to meet Gods and does not really flinch about it, does not really question it, just like he does not really question seeing his dead zombie wife. He just goes along with all of it like it is totally normal.
Then there is the whole Wednesday dies and Shadow wants to sacrifice himself or some crap for this man that he does not know. Why the hell would Shadow sacrifice himself for a guy he does not know and treats him like crap. I know I wouldn't do it after i have been kidnapped multiple times. Then while being sacrificed Shadow goes through different moments in his life and finds out that oh well that's my dad, but has no reaction at all. WTF? So you die for someone you don't know, then you find out that your his son and that he is a God, and to all this you have no reaction except you want to be left alone. again I say WTF? Then Shadow is brought back to life and learns all this is a big fat lie and a set by Wednesday and Loki and he still has no reaction. Then his dead wife is killing off the Gods for and reason that does not make sense cause not only does she cheat on him she basically tells him that the sex was better than with Shadow multiple times in that book and then she tells him that he was dead to her already and that's why she cheated. But all of a sudden she wants to help him. This makes absolutely no sense. Then when we think we are going to have this massive God fight(the thing I had been waiting for) it does not happen. Shadow gives a speech and the war is off. WTF? Then he finds out that Wednesday and Loki had his wife killed in order to motivate him. Again Shadow does not get mad, does try to fight Wednesday or anything he just goes back to his less then mediocre life and "ties up loose ends" we will call it. Then at the end of the of it all Shadow say he misses Wednesday! WTF? This man killed your wife, lies to you had you kidnapped multiple times, did not tell you anything, wanted to kill more people and Shadow says he misses him! Again this makes no sense. Then at the very end of the book Shadow meets "Odin" and he says that he Odin but he is not Wednesday. WTF does that even mean? is this a invasion of the body snatchers or something. Gaiman gives us no explanation for this or anything, it just ends with Shadow walking away. WTF?

This is the most asinine thing I have every read, I have no idea why people love this book so much. It made no sense and was boring. None of the characters had personality. I was really excited to read his because of all the praise I have heard people give to Gaiman but this was absolute trash.
I don't think I will be reading another Gaiman book if this is all he has to offer.

[Sofmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, except for minor typos, this is a beautiful edition at a great price: good quality paper, nice and clear layout, well illustrated hardcover and endpapers, nice silver edges and practical integrated bookmark.

Warning: very light spoilers.

AMERICAN GODS

This book deserves 5 stars.

American Gods is about Shadow, who after three years in prison and hard lessons learned, finds himself without a wife, a friend and employment. Shortly after his release, he encounters enigmatic Mr Wednesday who proposes him a very well paid job. Feeling empty and having nothing to loose, Shadow accepts the offer. He then embarks on a journey filled with weird dreams and encounters. Shadow realizes that he is surrounded by gods and mythological creatures from ancient times brought to America by immigrants, and somewhat differing from their original selves in order to better suit their newfound circumstances.

An old concept of Greek mythology is that one faction overthrows its predecessor: the Olympians against the Titans. A new set of gods is created to represent human constant evolution in their obsessions and devotions. Wednesday, aware of this concept, understands that the old gods are becoming obsolete in regards to the new ones (media, technology, etc.). He needs Shadow’s help in rallying the old gods to his cause: fight the new gods in order to gain power and survive in the minds of men.

This book touches on many themes: belief, growth, life and death, desire, sacrifice, deception, individuality and identity. It is a beautiful, original story with endearing characters. The plot is not too intricate neither simplistic. Some might find the first half of the book quite slow, but it’s in the name of character and plot development. I don’t think that Gaiman could have done it better. Even though I wished for a big battle, the ending is much more logical contrary to what I expected. I was actually afraid that it would be too clichéd, but Gaiman ends the story smoothly and satisfyingly.

If you are familiar with different mythological creatures, this book will delight you. If you’re not, Gaiman has the ability to awaken your curiosity, no doubt.


ANANSI BOYS

I give this book 3 stars.

Like American Gods, its main story is about father and son relationship, but with an added brother factor. It’s the classic comedy where the protagonist, Charles Nancy, is basically acting like a door mat and is living a miserable life, and for whom you wish whole heartedly a happy ending.

He doesn’t have it easy: a standoffish girlfriend, a spiteful mother-in-law, a boring job, an evil boss and an embarrassing father. His only solace is found in his mother who dies in the beginning of the book. On top of that, he discovers the existence of a brother who is everything he is not, i.e. successful and charming, but who will badly affect Charlie’s life. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Charlie embarks in an adventure to get rid of his brother.

Like in American Gods, Gaiman describes the strangeness of family ties, but this time in a funnier way. It’s an easy read with many funny moments. For the sake of comedy, the characters are all one sided, except for Charles who in the end discovers, with the reader, that he is a multi-faceted individual. The ending is superb.

One fault is that the relationship stemming between Charlie and Daisy seems forced and unnatural. Though I applaud the author for his imagination, originality, and writing style, this book doesn’t come close to the depth of American Gods with its intricate themes. I concede that, in relation to the humorous trickster god Anansi, maybe Gaiman’s intention was just to amuse with a light read.

[Norine · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know," he said. "I think I would rather be a man than a god. We don't need anyone to believe in us. We just keep going anyhow. It's what we do.”

I guess when Shadow Moon said that, he used all the right words to voice the very last thought I had as I finished Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.

So what is American Gods about?
Well the main plot is something like this:
Shadow Moon is released from prison two days early in order to attend his wife's funeral. Since his best friend Robbie died in the same accident as his wife, this means he is also out of a job. Defeated, broke with no where to go, he meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday who offers him a job, which he declines at first. But after “losing” a coin toss Shadow finally accepts. Mr. Wednesday
employs him mainly to serve as his bodyguard and they embark on a road trip to rally old God’s to partake in a war against the new Gods. Shadow is introduced to the deadly world of the supernatural and gets caught up in a brewing war between old and new gods.

Just from reading the synopsis, you might already be able to tell that this book is not for everybody. You end up either really loving it or in a massive reading slump. That is if you don't dnf (do-not-finish) it altogether. I finished it within a week and although I enjoyed every minute of it, this is not a book I would recommend to everybody.

So what are you getting yourself into?
Depending on what version you are reading, at 600+ pages this book is a “chunker" and the narrative unfolds at a very slow pace. There is a lot of detail and dialogue that does not immediately make sense. Also more often than not it isn't the most exhilarating conversation to read. However, everything falls into place when the plot lines are neatly wrapped up towards the end. Apart from Shadow Moon’s story, the book contains “coming to America segments” that are written by mr. Ibis (a.k.a Toth the God of Wisdom). The segments seem to stray away from the plot cause they just tell the reader how some of the Gods or deity's ended up in America and over time they were completely forgotten. Eventually it turns out most of these segments provided me with a deeper understanding of what the brewing war between the Gods was about.

The book is from Shadow Moon's point of view. Since Shadow Moon doesn't believe in much and doesn't feel he has a lot to live for (anymore) his POV might be depressing and at times maybe even frustrating. Personally I thought it was a stroke of genius. Shadow is introduced to a lot of Gods and he pretty much accepts whatever is presented to him. For the biggest part of the book he has no questions, nor opinions whats however and therefore I, as a reader, can form my own opinions on the Gods, deity's and events. 

The problem and the beauty of this book is that it has a bit of everything. Beautiful writing, remarkable world building, a lot of mythology and at times it’s even creepy. Needless to say there is a lot to explore. Because I finished the book within a week and Neil Gaiman's storytelling is engaging to me, it wasn't hard to keep up. For me the most surprising thing is that Shadow Moon's journey and personal growth did not go unnoticed amidst all these other storylines that demanded my attention. 

I really liked American Gods. Especially how thought-provoking it was. American Gods is not just a fantastical tale, it also examines what it means to be an American by looking at the cultural legacy of America through its mythical origins and how traditional values have evolved into contemporary ideals (americangodsneilgaiman.weebly.com). In other words this is not simply a fantasy book with a straightforward story. The narrative is very layered and full of symbolism and references to mythology.

Let’s just say that by the end of this book you will definitely appreciate Wikipedia. You might have to work a little for your pay off, but for me it was worth it.

[Mila Mabres · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Gods / 3.5 stars

American Gods is hard to judge. The book is well written and the actual premise is so good that you cannot see how this could fail. I was looking forward to the ultimate war between the new and old Gods, but I found myself waiting for something to happen for the majority of the book. Needless to say, it didn't live up to my expectations.
The book is slow paced and for the most part of it you don't really know what's going on and nobody cares to explain it. I have to admit (and given what I read from other reviews, I see I'm not the only one) that this was a tough one to finish reading and I can understand why so many people feel tempted to put it down.
The setup is interesting and it does pick up towards the end, tying everything up and, ultimately, convincing me that the story is, overall, really good. It is as if Gaiman had the right story to tell but didn't succeed in telling it properly.
For me the biggest letdown of the book were the characters, since I was expecting to find out more about them. There are so many interesting Gods in the book, but I feel none of them are exploited, not even the ones that have weight in the story. The book did spark enough interest in me to go and do some research of my own, which I appreciate, but I would have liked some of that background to filter through the characters themselves.
On the plus side, Neil Gaiman is an amazing writer and I have to give him credit for his writing style, which I think is the lifesaver American Gods.

Anansi Boys / 4.5 stars

I started reading this book because I wanted to read American Gods. Anansi Boys was the bonus track I was willing to go through just because it was there. I love when this happens; that is, when you think you're going through the extra reading and you realise you are facing the actual star of the show.
Anansi Boys (which is not a sequel to American Gods as many people think) is what bumps-up the stars of this book. If I thought Neil Gaiman was a good writer when I read American Gods, he proves to be an exquisite one in Anansi Boys. His characters are, unlike the previous book, whimsical and humorous. They are relatable and at the same time magical, guiding you through a story that has a bit of everything in it, from slapstick scenes to emotional passages.
I believe Gaiman's attempt in accessing the God's world works better here, since it concentrates in only one God and one particular pantheon. Thus, you get to experience how these Gods impact the tangible world in a story that is both funny and touching.

To whoever picks up this double book edition, I strongly recommend not to mis Anansi Boys. It is a must read and a shinning jewel in Gaiman's repertoire.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite the read! If you are looking to spend a lot of time reading, consider American Gods/Anansi Boys. Neil Gaiman has quite a unique writing style that I find hard to describe. He does such an amazing job of blending fantastic concepts into reality, that it's hard to define the line between them. To find that in writing is the stuff of legendary authors; when they can make you believe in the unbelievable. I also find his writing style to be casual and comfortable. I don't have to re-read, or even think much about what I am reading, and it allows for a good flow. I have read a few Neil Gaiman books in the past, and can certainly put him on my list of favorite authors.
First I will discuss American Gods.
American Gods starts off a little slow. But if you take the time to invest yourself in the story, it will pay off. Funny thing to think of, people bringing their Gods from far away lands to America. There are a few parts of the book that tell stories of how Gods were brought to America, or stories of the people who brought them, and parts about a few Gods themselves. I enjoyed these "breaks" in the story that give some background and history to the idea of Gods in America. These small stories aren't necessary to the actual main storyline, but I appreciated and enjoyed them.
The main part of the story follows Shadow, and his new boss "Wednesday". Now, typically, I like feeling an attachment to the characters in the story. I like to be able to cheer them on and fear for them. I like to tie my emotions to characters in stories. Now, I didn't feel this in this story, but I have to admit that it didn't make one bit of difference in my experience reading American Gods. I think the distance I felt from Shadow was almost necessary, and possibly even what Shadow felt about himself. So if you find yourself like me, someone who likes to identify emotionally with characters - please don't be discouraged and keep reading!
Overall, I really enjoyed American Gods. The whole concept was never something I really thought about, and this story is unique and thought provoking.
Now, moving on to Anansi Boys.
Anansi Boys was a little more light hearted and carefree than American Gods, and a great follow up book. Following the brothers Fat Charlie and Spider, this book was more geared towards self discovery and again, believing in the impossible. It seems that the world is just working against Fat Charlie throughout the whole book, and having Spider as a brother doesn't make anything easier.
I did have a particular attachment to Fat Charlie in this book, as well as to Spider. I was very invested in how things would turn out for the Anansi boys, and having the blood of a God running through them made everything that much more interesting.
Overall, I very much liked Anansi Boys, and think it was a perfect follow up to American Gods.
I gave American Gods/Anansi Boys an overall 4 stars. I think the only part that I didn't enjoy was that after a few hours of reading, it didn't seem that I made any progress in the book! Again, it is a long read. Especially if you have both books. Regardless, I am glad to have read another Neil Gaiman book, and I am finding that I favor him as an author.

[Tooba Akhtar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

This review has been a long time coming, considering I finished this book more than a week back, and have already written a review for a book that I read after this. The thing is, that I haven't been able to gather my thoughts into something coherent. There are a lot of things that make me like American Gods by Neil Gaiman, and I want to be able to put them all into words.

Gaiman has a knack of creating memorable characters. From Richard Mayhew, Door and Marquis De Carabas from Neverwhere, to  Shadow, Wednesday and Mr. Nancy from American Gods, Gaiman's characters have a magnetic pull to them that makes you want to go on an adventure with them. They are endearing, exasperating, irritating and funny all at the same time. And they are working on two levels.

American Gods is a very interesting book even if you read it on a superficial level, without assigning any hidden meanings to it. It is the story of Shadow, who is released from prison after three years, only to find that his wife has died one day before his release. He is recruited by a shady man called Wednesday, who has some equally dodgy friends. What ensues is a roller coaster ride which is reminiscent of Percy Jackson, but for adults. In the middle of all this, is the abundance of mythology from all over the world. Reading it made me wish I knew more mythologies than just the basic knowledge about some gods.

As the events move towards an epic war between the gods, we are introduced to the two sides, the Modern and the Ancient, both fighting for survival and relevancy. And the battleground is the United States of America. It is this country that all powers want to dominate, and are willing to do everything to achieve this end.

If you read this book with an open mind, you soon realize that everything is not as it seems. When you first realize who Wednesday really is, you are compelled to go back and look at the story from the beginning, with new understanding and clarity. As the story progresses, it is evident that this book is also a commentary on present day United States, and how materialism and technology are rapidly taking over the society. Materialism had become the new religion, and as a result, faith in things like gods and divine beings has taken a back seat.

In American Gods, you see these forgotten deities and gods trying to fight to stay alive in the hearts of people. That they do it while being crazy and funny, is what the beauty of this book is. I have to admit, I am a sucker for madcap characters and this book has them by the dozen!

For me, American Gods is a winner, but it is not for everyone. It has mythological creatures and different gods, and for anyone not comfortable with reading about these, this book is not the way to go. If you're offended by the thought of these mythological beings, then please stay away from this book!

[Jiax He · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Gods: 4.0
I can understand that American Gods is not necessarily a novel for everyone. This is mostly due to the protagonist, Shadow, who is in many ways pretty unconventional. Relatively unfazed and accepting toward the circumstances and events surrounding him, it is quite difficult to comprehend his character. Needless to say, this sort of character writing can leverage some really dry and witty humor - which there is plenty of - but can distance the readers. Shadow is also not the most determined character there is out there, hence the plot-driven nature of American Gods. Though Neil Gaiman somehow manages to maintain clear distinctions between his characters, providing them with unique and singular traits and demeanor - Shadow included. The plot however begins to drag at times and to feel repetitive, and that is when you notice the weak character of Shadow, who cannot achieve sufficient captivation without the help of the side characters and the drive of the main narrative. What ultimately made me commit to this rather pleasant rating was the fascinating concept with its array of distinct characters and nuances as well as my fondness of Gaiman's humor and writing. And of course, I like gods and the mythologies encompassing them.

Anansi Boys: 3.5
Anansi Boys is a neat independent novel, uncoupled from American Gods, that picks one character from its predecessor and dives into their family relations more deeply. Mr. Nancy has somehow always been quite striking in American Gods and exploring the complex web of his ties a (no pun intended) proved to be as joyous as, if not more joyous than the rather insignificant struggle between Wednesday and Shadow in American Gods. With Mr. Nancy being a trickster, cunning and lively, this novel packs a whole lot of humor. Fat Charlie, the son of Mr. Nancy, is really likable, mainly due to the misery he finds himself in, and is written like a character straight from a comedy film. In general, I can't shake the feeling that Anansi Boys is a comedy; it has short and comic dialogue, and its characters come off as a bit nonchalant. Whimsical in its tone, the novel is unrestraint. It doesn't have set rules and thus feels refreshing consistently. Everything can happen, and that's what ultimately makes Anansi Boys fun to read.