American Gods - Neil Gaiman
As indicated in a previous post, I'm a fan of Neil Gaiman now. And this is his most often praised/recommended book (at least from my friends). The tale takes place in the Midwest, my lifelong stomping grounds. An extensive part of the story takes place at House on the Rock, which is a quirky, clusterfuck of a hoarder's paradise tourist trap, located approximately 40 minutes from my hometown. I am begging and pleading with my husband, to accompany me and allow us to bring our child there this weekend, in fact. Many of the examples he cites proves that he spent a good amount of time at the spot, which is awesome, because I'd love to be walking through there and randomly spot Neil Gaiman snacking on some overpriced Salt Water Taffy procured from the gift shop, intently sitting on a bench near one of the token accepting shitty music machines taking notes. I bet he was really stoned. That place would be awesome stoned. Except the Infinity Room. That most certainly would not be. In fact, during a visit to New York some years ago, my friend Arlo and I once illustrated a scene at House on the Rock in the Infinity Room while stoned, of several children plummeting to their deaths on a field trip on Christmas Eve in that glass enclosed narrow death trap (its a long narrow hallway with glass windows, teetering over a cliff. It's not very stable, either. I'm sure it will collapse someday). I don't know why we did this. I just remember laughing so hard I was sobbing, crying. We're sick fucks, like that. I like the House on the Rock. But I also hope no children really die there. That would be very sad.
Despite my love for campy Wisconsin reminders of home, this book is solid and worth the recommendations and praise. It's a longer read, and I wish I had had more time to really ingest it, to take in all the details and themes. But I didn't. Alack, the life of a multi-tasking mother with not a whole lot of quiet 'me' time. The story follows a man named Shadow, who was recently released from prison. His wife died right before his release, and leaves him in a state of uncertainty. He has no job, no one to go home to, and really wants to be on the straight and narrow after the years of his incarceration. He then randomly meets a man called 'Wednesday.' From there on, shit gets weird. Wednesday hires Shadow as a helper of sorts, and they encounter a whole bunch of crazy shit. American Gods are not only real, but in jeopardy. Technology and modern times are threatening to replace traditions of past. There are good guys and bad guys. And twists and turns. And all the while, you as the reader find yourself rooting for Shadow to catch his big break. Throw in a shit ton of magic, and you've got yourself a solid read and adventure.
My only complaint is that this of all the Gaiman pieces I've read to date, is by far the most cluttered with details. I think in a way it needs to be, but in order to fully visualize the tale in your mind, you need to drink up these details, but as I've stated previously, I ain't got time for that. So I found myself skimming at certain pivotal parts, because I wanted to know what the fuck happens, not how many eyeballs said creature has or if a beast is part goat or horse or whatever. Nerds will love this. So will non-nerds. I did. I hope to re-read it someday, preferably on a relaxing vacation where I can actually pay attention to the details. I heard somewhere that this is getting picked up as a miniseries on Starz or some other premium cable network. Could kill it, could potentially be super kick ass. I know I'd give it a watch, if only for the scenes at my beloved House on the Rock.
I'd rate this one an 8/10.
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