Fantasy Book Club discussion

Who will be reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman?

: D

No spoilers this thread.

Me! This (and Anansi Boys which I'll be reading right after) is the last novel by Gaiman I need to read. I've been putting it off for too long. I'm very worried for some reason, even though I know it's perfectly fine if I don't like it. I've disliked other Gaiman books before and that doesn't take anything away from the books I do like.

Anyway, I'm starting it tonight or tomorrow the latest.

I'm in. Reading the "Author's Preferred" version and trying to see if I notice a difference. If....I can remember the original version.

Oh I forgot to mention I'm also reading the 10th anniversary / preferred edition. So far I've read the introductiony parts about how this version is different, etc. but haven't started the actual book yet :D

One of my favourite books of all time.

I reread it a month ago before the tv series started, just as good as I remembered it. Have fun 1st time readers, you can never get that 1st read back again.

I will be reading it. Actaully read Anansi Boys first, interested to see how different this is.

I bought this the other day! I will be reading this as my first group read in this group! I look forward to it and hearing everyone's opinions even though I am not quite sure how this all works.

I'm struggling a bit. Well not really, just avoiding reading. I'm about a third in. It's like I suspected, I like the writing but the subject just isn't my fave. I'm not a huge urban fantasy fan, although weirdly Neverwhere is my favo(u)rite Gaiman book.

There's also something that annoys me a bit about the plot, but I'm not going into that because of spoilers. And it's not that there's something wrong with the book, just that I had thought some things were going to be different based on what I knew before starting. Which wasn't a whole lot, so maybe that explains it. Also, maybe the remaining two thirds will change things towards what I was expecting.

One of the reasons why I haven't read this already is that it isn't narrated by Gaiman himself. I'm not going to rave about how much I love his narration again, I know I'm not alone. However, now that I've read (some of) American Gods, I'm actually very happy I'm not listening to it being read with the voice that I normally associate with warm, fuzzy, going-to-sleep feelings! This is most definitely a job for the eyes.

Anna wrote: "I'm struggling a bit. Well not really, just avoiding reading. I'm about a third in. It's like I suspected, I like the writing but the subject just isn't my fave. I'm not a huge urban fantasy fan, a..."

Anna, I don't know if you're to it yet but there's a really disturbing part near the beginning that has stuck with me ever since I read it. I think you'll know it when you read it. Can't say too much more without being a spoiler but I question why it was really even in the story.

I've read many disturbing parts already, and I'm pretty sure there are going to be more. It's a tad more graphic than I was expecting maybe, but that's probably just because I've come to treat Neil as my personal bedtime storyteller. I should've known to expect a more grim approach, it's not like I haven't read Sandman. So it's not really that much of a surprise, just that I wish it was more magical, less graphic-urbany.

Well, haven't been able to read much the last few days so I'm going to have to finish The Red Knight before I can start American Gods. Red Knight is very good however. Really enjoying it.

Anna wrote: "weirdly Neverwhere is my favo(u)rite Gaiman book."

Glad to hear I'm not alone on that. Everyone seems to rave about AG, but I was more impressed by Neverwhere and The Graveyard Book.

I really like The Red Knight too, I wish I could manage to push it and another book.

Well AG is I think one of the first books I have tried of Gaiman and the only one of him I DNFed though I want to give it a second try. It was probably too graphic for me, like how the wife died.

Coraline is my fave Gaiman (out of 9 read) so far.

Ilona wrote: "I really like The Red Knight too, I wish I could manage to push it and another book.

Well AG is I think one of the first books I have tried of Gaiman and the only one of him I DNFed though I want ..."

Don't know if you read Neverwhere, but if we did a poll on the best Gaiman book I bet it would win if not finsh in the top two or three.

I'm about 80% through The Red Knight and it's great. For those looking for a good Military Fantasy with a little testosterone this is it.

I'm at the halfway point. Every time a chapter ends I'm all "fantastic, an excuse to stop reading for a while", and I do all the things possible and impossible for hours, until I make myself pick the book back up. It's weird, because while I'm reading I really like the writing, like always, and I can appreciate the atmosphere and all the tiniest little details that make it all so real. The problem is that it's like watching a movie that you can see is great and you understand why people love it, it's just not to your taste. I had to turn off the % and time in the footer of my Kindle, because it's almost making me cry to see how long I still have to spend with the book. I'm very much tempted to speed read through the rest, but I'm doing my best not to, because the slow atmospheric pace is what's best about it. I didn't expect to have such mixed feelings. I have no idea what I'm going to rate this, because it feels like a four star book, but I'm really not enjoying reading it.

The second half was much easier to read for some reason, I read it in two sittings. Saving my comments for the spoilery discussion.

I read Neverwhere.

The book I have is also the 10th anniversary one. I just read the intro where the author said some readers hate this book so I don't feel bad it is the only one I DNF.

I have few books to finish before trying to read it again.

I am about 30%through and enjoying it. I'm also reading the 10th anniversary edition.

I didn't love this book but I found it very interesting. I did enjoy that it mentions many of the places I've been to growing up. House on the Rock was a favorite place of mine!

To me, the tv show has really made me enjoy the story more.

I'm finally listening to the audio form of this book!
Gotta say... I would not have been able to actually read this.

It's not my cup of tea, so to speak.

Up to chapter 2 and hoping for improvement.

Also... never saw the tv show.

The tv show is currently in the first season, so I'm sure many people haven't seen it yet. Unless there was a previous one...

I'm glad that so many people aren't enjoying this (sorry!) thought I was the only one in the world.

I liked his Odd and Graveyard book.

Helen.. one of my things is, it's a bit too narrative. I think that's the proper "feeling."

I read it years ago when it was new, I think, but it didn't thrill me and I have no memory of it.

Yes, I think too narrative is a great way to describe it.

Good someone agrees.
I wasn't sure if it was because I was listening, instead of actually reading.

I just like a little more action.

I listened to it to! There's a lot of build up before much happens. :)