The Book Vipers discussion

This is for comments and thoughts about American Gods

Black cover! Another Full deck square covered. I think you are brainwashing me surreptitiously to read every book by Neil Gaiman. It's going quite well so far by the way. I must have hit "Ocean" in a slightly odd mood because everything else I've read/listened to has been deliciously mad but excellent all the same.

I have this on my tbr list. Will join in as soon as I can

Thanks Paul!

Jo, did you not enjoy Ocean? It's one of my favourites

Jo wrote: "Black cover! Another Full deck square covered. I think you are brainwashing me surreptitiously to read every book by Neil Gaiman. It's going quite well so far by the way. I must have hit "Ocean" in..."

Moi? No not me...

I may have to give this one a read seeing as we have a read-a-long up and running.

Charlotte wrote: "Jo, did you not enjoy Ocean? It's one of my favourites"

Charlotte - I did enjoy it, but I think I wasn't in the right frame of mind at the time so wasn't carried away with it like most other people seem to have been. I've loved the various Gaiman books I've read since, though I haven't "read" them, I've listened to them. I think they suit being read/dramatized so well, so perhaps I need to carry on with listening to them instead.

Atm I am about 25% into the book - and it is a bit... weird, I think is the best word for it. And Shadow is quite... a follower! Not sure what I think about it yet - but the language is quite easy (at leas what I have read till now), so it is an easy and fastish read..
Kinda curious what it gonna end up with - and that is always good, I guess :)

I read this a few months ago. I still haven't rated it. I'm not really how to take this one. I had to look up many of the references to the gods, which were from mythology to folklore. I liked the ending.

*sure

I'm just about to start this one

Not quite sure when for me yet. Hopefully in a week or so.

I'm only 100ish pages into this, but quite enjoying it so far.

It's very surreal in places and I find I'm reading it very slowly just to take it all in

Thoroughly enjoyed this one, though it took a long time to read. I had to read it in much smaller chunks than I would normally read because there was a lot to take in and think about.

Aiming to start on Saturday. Trying to crash through The Luminaries at the moment

So glad this was recommended. Last month when dithering in the Library my Husband picked up The Graveyard Book for me to take on holiday, I had seen Coraline the film but never read any of his books. Even though it is a young adults book I loved it, his writing is right on my wavelength. So when I saw this as a recommendation on the group I knew I had to read this too.

About halfway through now and I am liking it immensely. I am enjoying working out which character is which God/Goddess before they are revealed. Shadow as the main protagonist is also distant enough to be mysterious and compelling but still likeable enough to make you root for him. The 'Coming to America' sections are very informative, whilst being wonderful short stories in their own right too.

I can see why, even though it is a long read it is so well loved.

Finished it and cried at the end not because of the ending but because it was ending, I didn't want it to finish. A bit sappy of me but I loved it that much.

Ordered Anansi's Boys from the library, can't wait for it to arrive.

Hopefully will get to this next weekend. Have you read Neverwhere or Stardust Saffron?

Paul wrote: "Hopefully will get to this next weekend. Have you read Neverwhere or Stardust Saffron?"

No Paul, only the Graveyard Book and this one. I am so pleased there are so many of his books left to read. I am just amazed I have not found him sooner.

Great recommendation :-)

You're welcome. Neil Gaiman is a fine author indeed

Saffron, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of his latest - it is quite short and utterly wonderful. I also loved Neverwhere. I haven't tackled American Gods yet; I really want to but long books are hard for me right now.

Have you read Stardust Lisa? That is quite short

Lisa wrote: "Saffron, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of his latest - it is quite short and utterly wonderful. I also loved Neverwhere. I haven't tackled American Gods yet; I really want to but long boo..."

I picked up Neverwhere in the book shop today but then decided I have enough to read at the moment. I will definitely read them all, I love his writing style. American Gods seems like a long read when you pick it up but I ripped through it in 3 days. Where as I read 125 pages of Jean Brodie and that took me ages. I guess it depends on how the story grabs you :-)

Started yesterday. Now 250 pages in!

Paul wrote: "Started yesterday. Now 250 pages in!"

I will guess you will just have to keep reading, one more chapter, one more chapter...

Sadly got things to do. Otherwise would crack on and finish it today.

I didn't think this was too bad, felt it rambled on a bit at times.

Anybody watching the TV series?

I haven't started yet. Will be at some point though