Why did I wait so long to read this book?

[azaya]

I finally settled in to read American Gods, as nearly every friend I've ever had has pressured me to do. I cannot fathom why it took me so long to listen. I'm about halfway through and most likely will end up immediately rereading it upon finishing, to catch all the things I missed the first time.



I feel so, so dumb for not getting the Wednesday - Odin connection despite considering myself well-versed in mythology. Arrgh. Wednesday is Wotan's Day and Wotan's just another name for Odin. Stupid Ravenna is stupid.

Aside from that, just fucking wow. I'm getting that feeling I get whenever I read something that inspires me to be a better writer. I wish I were better just so I wouldn't feel so self-conscious even calling myself a writer and putting myself in the same loose collection-- not category, God no-- as Neil Gaiman.

Note to self: get library card and everything else this man has ever written.

Comments

[aikea-guinea.livejournal.com]

That book is beyond brilliant. :D I'm going to have to reread it soon.

[elevator-child.livejournal.com]

heh heh. Isn't it a great book? I think it's his best, other than the sandman comics of course.

[lingeringviolet.livejournal.com]

I just finished reading that one last week. I really like mythology so I enjoyed it quite a bit. I really liked Neverwhere and Snow, Glass, Apples too, although the latter is only a short story. I "stumbled" upon a small collection of his work so I've been busy. I can see why everyone raves about him now. I'm glad you're diggin' it too. :)

[liegenschonheit.livejournal.com]

Anansi Boys is the "sequel" to it, though sequel is a loose term. It takes place in the same general "universe", if you will, but focuses on an entirely different cast of characters.

I love American Gods, it is just masterful, but I think my favourite is still Neverwhere.

[gelydh.livejournal.com]

American Gods was the first Gaiman book I've read (even before Good Omens, shockingly enough), and immediately fell in love with his writing. aikea_guinea has two (I think?) of his short-story collections, along with Anansi Boys and Stardust which I've devoured whilst visiting her. :D

As for his Sandman graphic novels, I've only read the first volume, but that was amazing and impressed me beyond belief, as well!

[kinemortophobia.livejournal.com]

If you have the heart for comics, I really really really really REALLY suggest Sandman. I've read a lot of comic book series in my time (ages 8-23) and it is one of my favorites, if not my absolute favorite.

You get mythology from everywhichwhere like American Gods and some of Gaiman's best writing. If I had to own only one thing he's written it would have to be that series. The art is not great, especially in the beginning, but it is entirely worth it for the writing alone.

[sixtylilies.livejournal.com]

Quite a few people have told me Sandman is awesomesauce, and I certainly have the heart for comics! I'll have to look for it. It's another one of those things that I mean to read and somehow never get around to (like American Gods, but I finally got that, obviously).