American Gods by Neil Gaiman was first published in 2001. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to hear about it and read it. My only defence is that in 2001, I still didn’t speak or read English.
American Godsis a brilliant book, with magnificent characters and amazing descriptions. I strongly recommend you listen to the tenth-anniversary edition audiobook of it.
It is a full-cast audiobook, meaning that each character is read by a different actor, which adds even more texture and depth to the storytelling.
The book follows the story of Shadow Moon. Locked behind bars for three years, Shadow has done his time and is days away from his release when he gets the devastating news that Laura, his beloved wife, has been killed in a car accident along with Shadow’s best friend.
With his life in pieces and nothing left to lose, Shadow accepts an offer from the mysterious Mr. Wednesday.
Mr. Wednesday says that he is nothing more than a common and ordinary con man in need of a driver and some muscle – but there is nothing either common or ordinary about Mr. Wednesday.
The job he offers Shadow will lead him into the midst of a supernatural gathering of gods, old and new, trying to survive in America.
There is a storm coming, a war of epic proportions, and Shadow finds himself in the middle of it with no escape.
On the surface, this book is a fantasy, rich in detail and intriguing characters, but scratch that surface and you will find a book filled with metaphor and complex ideas and symbols.
This is a book that incites you to explore themes and ideas on religion, culture, nationalism and multiculturalism.
I listened to this audiobook while driving and I didn’t even mind getting stuck in traffic. There were even a couple of times I just went around the block twice just to continue listening.
If you enjoy complex stories, fantasy and mythology, you should definitely give this book a go.
Ariana Galeano is a librarian with the Richmond Public Library.
