American Gods
by Neil Gaiman · first published 2001
43% recommend48% neutral10% critical
Why HN recommends it
Dark, atmospheric modern fantasy built on the idea that gods gain power from worship, applied to a land of immigrants. Suits readers wanting imaginative fiction; the cast-read audio edition is praised.
Common criticism: Some find it slow to start and long-winded, with a too-crazy ending
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
American Gods (2001) is a fantasy novel by British author Neil Gaiman. The novel is a blend of Americana, fantasy, and various strands of ancient and modern mythology, all centering on the mysterious and taciturn Shadow.
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Lots of dystopian and alternate world sci-fi (most recently read first): 1) The Handmaid’s Tale 2) Off to be the Wizard 3) The Three-Body Problem 4) Good Omens 5) We Are Legion (We Are Bob) 6) American Gods 7) Ready Player One I really enjoyed all of these, though the Neil Gaiman books are rather long-winded. Ready Player One in particular is something I’d recommend to any geek or 80s movies and music…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗…author publishes directly or has a decent contract they get 50-70% of my purchase price. There is a ton of very good literature out there: smart dramas, mysteries, sci-fi, quirky stuff like Gaiman's American Gods, classics I've never bothered to read, etc. The field is a lot larger, due in part to the fact that the capital requirements are essentially nonexistent. Anyone can write a book. I'm not holding my breath…
on “The Day the Movies Died (or, why Hollywood can't make good films anymore)” ↗Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Adams Discworld series - Pratchett Foundation - Asimov American Gods - Gaiman Snow Crash - Stephenson Next - Crichton 1984 - Orwell
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗Mine were American Gods by Neil Gaiman and High Output Management by Andy Grove
on “Ask HN: Best Book you read in 2015” ↗Fiction: - Someone already mentioned Neil Gaiman's "American Gods", but it's so good, I'll mention it again :) Very well constructed and has its specific atmosphere... - Anything by Iain Banks - "Walking on glass", "Wasp factory", "A song of stone" are definitely not…
on “Ask HN: Summer Reading Recommendations?” ↗…"pagan" beliefs, a person, ideal or even inanimate object can become a "god" through the power of collective worship and anthropomorphism. Neil Gaiman did a good job expressing this in Western terms in American Gods.
…need to go back and re-read passages from it. Also really enjoy how each part of the series (Hyperion, then Fall of Hyperion, then the Endymion books) re-invent the style and the story. - The Annotated American Gods (Gaiman, Klinger): 1000’s of footnotes is a great way to revisit the story :)
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗Atlas Shrugged American Gods
on “Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books.” ↗American Gods is awesome. One of Neil Gaiman's best works, along with the Sandman series.
on “Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books.” ↗…healthcare. Fiction: 1. Anything by Iain Banks, especially the sci-fi. 2. If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor (http://tinyurl.com/3496d34) - worth reading just for the language he uses. 3. American Gods by Neil Gaiman (http://tinyurl.com/3xyr65w) - great fantasy with a darkly humorous side.
on “Ask HN: Summer Reading Recommendations?” ↗I just finished American Gods by Gaiman. A pretty good book. Not seen the Sandman comic before though - looks interesting.
on “Neil Gaiman's comic book 'Sandman' returns after 25 years” ↗Ready player one - Good bit of fun for a gamer/80s enthusist Dark Tower 1: The Gunslinger - I had no idea what was going on, i just know i enjoyed it American Gods - slow starting but great book Leviathan wakes - book that the netflix series 'the expanse' is based on A Song of ice and fire books 1 to 3
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗…the United States", but the chapter about Andrew Jackson's election would seem like they were forcing the analogies to the 2016 election if not for the fact that it was published beforehand. Fiction: American Gods https://smile.amazon.com/American-Gods-Tenth-Anniversary-Nov... I think lots of people will like this book, but certainly those who are into road trips across America.
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Just because I needed a bit of fun fiction to break up all the non-fiction. And because it (perhaps accidentally) says something interesting about the gods of a land of immigrants and…
on “Ask HN: Which book have you re-read recently?” ↗I normally only read books to help me sleep and usually that book is "Lord of The Rings". However, I did branch out in 2017 with "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman which I quite enjoyed until near the end where it got a little too crazy.
on “Ask HN: What is the best book you read on 2017?” ↗