num_pages: 504
description: Within just a few pages of Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods, he commandingly reveals that he is at his considerable best with this disturbing and dark journey into the hidden soul of America. Gaiman, one of the most talented and imaginative writers at work today, achieved nigh-legendary status with his comic Sandman, which took the genre to heights that even the equally talented Alan Moore had not attained; Gaiman's subsequent career as a novelist has displayed the same glittering inventiveness and exquisite use of language.  Gaiman's protagonist Shadow has patiently done his time in prison. But as the moment of his release approaches, he begins to sense that some unnamed disaster is lying in wait for him. As he makes his way home, he encounters the mysterious Mr Wednesday, who appears to be both a refugee from a distant country at war and the King of America. And perhaps even a god. As Shadow and Mr Wednesday begin a bizarre odyssey across the United States, solving murders is only one of their accomplishments. With an epic storm of supernatural origin brewing, one questions whether they will be destroyed before Shadow pays the price for grim mistakes in his past. The use of language here is impeccable, and it is wedded to a surreal narrative that brings out the most quirky and unsettling aspects of Gaiman's imagination. Forget Gaiman the Guru: just enjoy Gaiman the consummate writer:  He opened his mouth to catch the rain as it fell, moistening his cracked lips and his dry tongue, wetting the ropes that bound him to the trunk of the tree. There was a flash of lightning so bright it fell like a blow to his eyes, transforming the world into an intense panorama of image and after-image. The wind tugged at Shadow, trying to pull him from the tree, flaying him, cutting to the bone. Shadow knew in his soul that the real storm had truly begun... --Barry Forshaw
language: English
title: American Gods
titlecomplete: American Gods
characters: Mr. Ibis, Czernobog, Mr. Nancy, Technical Boy, Odin (deity), Easter, Spider, Mr. Jacquel, Mr. Wednesday, Hinzelmann, Bilquis, Laura Moon, Samantha Black Crow, Whiskey Jack, Mr. Town, Margaret Black Crow, Mad Sweeney, Media, Shadow Moon, Chad Mulligan, Mr. World, Loki
genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction Fantasy, Adult, Contemporary, Mythology, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Audiobook
ratings_count: 903096
places: The United States of America, Illinois, Wisconsin, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois
series: American Gods
awards: awardedAt: 978336000000
name: Bram Stoker Award
category: Best Novel, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: Hugo Award
category: Best Novel, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: Nebula Award
category: Best Novel, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: Locus Award
category: Best Fantasy Novel, awardedAt: 978336000000
name: International Horror Guild Award
category: Best Novel, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: World Fantasy Award
category: Best Novel, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: SFX Award
category: Best Novel, awardedAt: 1041408000000
name: Geffen Award, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: Mythopoeic Fantasy Award
category: Adult Literature, awardedAt: 978336000000
name: British Science Fiction Association Award
category: Best Novel, awardedAt: 1041408000000
name: Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire
category: Roman étranger, awardedAt: 1041408000000
name: Prix Bob Morane
category: roman traduit, awardedAt: 1009872000000
name: British Fantasy Award
category: Best Novel (August Derlith Fantasy Award)
publisher: Headline Book Publishing Ltd