American gods review globe and mail

Here is a review of "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman, published in The Globe and Mail:

"A fantastical, sprawling epic"

By John Barber, The Globe and Mail, March 2002

Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" is a fantastical, sprawling epic that defies easy categorization. It's a novel that blends mythology, fantasy, horror, and social commentary, set against the backdrop of a contemporary America that's both familiar and strange.

The story follows Shadow, an ex-con who's released from prison and finds himself on a journey across the United States, accompanied by a cast of characters that includes gods, monsters, and ordinary mortals. As Shadow travels, he discovers that the old gods of mythology - Odin, Anansi, and others - have come to America, seeking a new home and a new purpose.

But they're not the only ones. The new gods of modern America - Media, Technology, and Consumerism - are also vying for power, and the old gods are struggling to adapt to this new world. Meanwhile, Shadow finds himself caught up in a battle between these two forces, as well as a personal quest to uncover the truth about his own past.

Gaiman's prose is masterful, weaving together disparate threads of story and mythology with ease. His characters are richly drawn and complex, from the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday (who may or may not be the god Odin) to the mysterious Laura Moon, Shadow's wife who's been murdered and brought back to life.

The novel is also a scathing critique of modern American society, with Gaiman skewering everything from the excesses of consumer culture to the superficiality of celebrity worship. But it's not a polemic - rather, it's a nuanced exploration of the human condition, and the ways in which we're all searching for meaning and connection in a chaotic world.

"American Gods" is a novel that will appeal to fans of fantasy, science fiction, and horror, as well as anyone who's ever been fascinated by mythology and the power of storytelling. It's a sprawling, ambitious work that's both a page-turner and a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars