American Gods, Neil Gaiman (NO SPOILERS!)

[Firky]

Only ever read Neverwhere by him and loved it and after watching Stardust I thought I'd check out his other stuff. Didn't fancy Stardust having seen the film (which I enjoyed) so thought I'd give American God's a blast... it's really rather good! Far less Terry Pratchett and White Dwarf than Neverwhere and more, I dunno, mature?

About two thirds of the way through it and it keeps calling me to read some more of it. Best book I have read for a few years, well... since Altered Carbon.

 

[mentalchik]

T'is a wicked read !


I'm sure i read somewhere that there's a sequel coming soon too !

 

[elevendayempire]

T'is a wicked read !


I'm sure i read somewhere that there's a sequel coming soon too !

Well, Anansi Boys is a semi-sequel (it picks up one of the minor characters and runs with him). And there's a short story sequel in the Fragile Things collection, IIRC.

SG

 

[Firky]

Because I am a sad bastard I quite like Norse mythology and now a little bit about it - I also love folk tales, tales of little people, banshees, and fairies. The blend of which in American Gods works perfectly for me. Love the idea of the book, it could have failed and been a knotted ugly story but it really works well and is so simple to follow a child could follow the story... although you'd have to cut out the saucy bits!

 

[SpookyFrank]

Well, Anansi Boys is a semi-sequel (it picks up one of the minor characters and runs with him).

Really? which character? I loved Anansi Boys, a really clever book I thought.

 

[elevendayempire]

Really? which character? I loved Anansi Boys, a really clever book I thought.

Um, that would be Anansi...

SG

 

[bluestreak]

Superb read. I've been a fan of Neil for years, and that's his best so far IMO.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Um, that would be Anansi...

SG

Well I don't know do I? I haven't read american gods. Jeez

 

[DotCommunist]

American Gods is superior to Anansi Boys imo.

Good stuff

 

[CharlieAddict]

i don't think much of gainman as a novelist.
think his graphical writing is far superior - in particular, sandman and hellblazer episodes.

 

[Firky]

Never read any of his comics laregely because I prefer books to comics.

 

[bluestreak]

i don't think much of gainman as a novelist.
think his graphical writing is far superior - in particular, sandman and hellblazer episodes.

I used to think that, but once Stardust came out I ate my words. American Gods is excellent writing.

Sandman is great too though - just gets better and better. The Kindly Ones is up there with From Hell and Watchmen in the comic greats pile.

 

[DotCommunist]

Lucifer spin-off was pretty good too

 

[The Groke]

Never read any of his comics laregely because I prefer books to comics.

If you like his writing, his characters and his novels, I really would recommend you try the Sandman series.

 

[CharlieAddict]

I used to think that, but once Stardust came out I ate my words. American Gods is excellent writing.

Sandman is great too though - just gets better and better. The Kindly Ones is up there with From Hell and Watchmen in the comic greats pile.

i will have a read of american gods then - think that's in my local library.
it's just i remember reading 'neverwhere' and thought his style dragged a little.

Lucifer spin-off was pretty good too

the same lucifer from sandman's 'seasons of mist?'

 

[The Groke]

i will have a read of american gods then - think that's in my local library.
it's just i remember reading 'neverwhere' and thought his style dragged a little.



the same lucifer from sandman's 'seasons of mist?'

Yus - the continuation of his story....

 

[weepiper]

i don't think much of gainman as a novelist.
think his graphical writing is far superior - in particular, sandman and hellblazer episodes.

See I find the opposite. Mr weepiper has all the Sandman books but I just find them irritating - I can't get my head into them in the same way I can with his novels. American Gods and Anansi Boys are great, also a collection of short stories called 'Smoke and Mirrors' is worth reading.

 

[bluestreak]

i will have a read of american gods then - think that's in my local library.
it's just i remember reading 'neverwhere' and thought his style dragged a little.



the same lucifer from sandman's 'seasons of mist?'

neverwhere was the first NG i read. then i didn't bother reading any more for ages. it was very clunky, great ideas but lost in clunky prose.

he got better.

 

[madzone]

I bought my son the video of neverwhere some years ago. I must borrow it off him Another vote for Anansi Boys from me as well.

 

[Termite Man]

I'm looking forward to seeing stardust . I really like Gaimans comics and books ( even the stuff he did for kids like the one about swapping his dad for a goldfish )

 

[Firky]

I left this at a friends house for ages so I didn't get to pick it up again until last night. I read the last 250 pages in one sitting... cor, it's a bit good init!

 

[May Kasahara]

also a collection of short stories called 'Smoke and Mirrors' is worth reading.

You beat me to it! Great collection, some really inventive and intriguing stories in there.

 

[DotCommunist]

I left this at a friends house for ages so I didn't get to pick it up again until last night. I read the last 250 pages in one sitting... cor, it's a bit good init!

I didn't clock the Loki Lye-Smith bit for AGES

 

[Firky]

I did, from the moment he was introduced

The klunker bit struck me

 

[wishface]

Would like to read this. Unfortauntely all the decent stuff at the local library just gets half inched!

Recently downloaded the audio version of Neverwhere which was really good.

 

[Firky]

I got it from Barterbooks for a £1.50