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Originally Posted by Trebro
Ok, jumping in here (a bit late, I know).
First, I'm glad I finished this time, but man, this book has a rough start. I think it's best suited to those who have a deep love of mythology of all kinds. I also think that, for better or worse, Gaiman tends to write similar themes into his books, and having read all of Sandman, Neverwhere, Stardust, and now American Gods, I'm not sure I need to read more. I kinda feel like I've had my fill of reading about how myth and fantasy blend into real life, if only we know how to look for it.
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Ii think you're absolutely right that an interest in mythology is necessary. That was what brought me to read the book in the first place, and it created a deeper interest in the book the second time I read it.
I think I simply like the theme of myth blending with reality and would easily read more of Gaiman - though most of his books seemed aimed at a YA audience primarily. What I liked about
American Gods is the grown-up adult tone of it. It felt darker and more serious, where both
Neverwhere and
Stardust was a tad too "light" for my taste.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trebro
In terms of Shadow, for me he's the personification of American doubt in the idea of *any* belief. He has no strong feelings for anything, whether it's Native American, Norse, or Modern gods. He'll go through the motions of worship, but for him, he'll never more than shadow the beliefs that others have had before him. So I don't think he's Balder or Thor (my initial guess, for what it's worth) or anyone so much as he's a part of all the gods, and never ever to be one incarnation of anything.
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This is without question a most interesting interpretation of Shadow. As you put it, he
is a shadow - hence his name. I don't think we really took that into consideration.
So now I wonder what could be gotten out of contemplating the name of "Shadow"...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trebro
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What they don't have, and I think it's for the better, is the frequent crude references. Those drove me crazy in American Gods.
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I must admit it was not something I noticed. I am actually a little bewildered about whatever you could perceive as crude references. As far as I remember it all felt in character and pretty usual
