Selena and I recently finished reading Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. You can find it rated and updated on Selena or my GoodReads page, if you are part of that social network (or if you want to be, please join and befriend).
What I found most interesting about this book was not the spot-on accurate detail with which Gaimen described the different landmarks of Midwest Americana, nor the complex interweaving of the myth and lore of the different gods into the fictional characters he created for each. No, what I found most interested is how popular reading this book made me.
Four times, while reading Niel Gaiman’s American Gods, complete strangers started a conversation with me praising the book – twice on a Metro, once in a coffee shop and once during jury duty. Each of the four people approached me with exuberance, excited about the book I was reading and for me reading it. Each of the four went on to suggest another Niel Gaiman book I should read when I am done.
This has never come about from reading a book before. At our book club, I told this story and a single friend joked that she is going to carry American Gods around all the time, or put whatever she is reading in the American Gods dustjacket, to see how that boosts her chances.
It was a very enjoyable book. I have since forwarded a copy to a friend in WI. This weekend I bought another Gaiman book and the clerk was very excited I was getting this book. If there wasn’t a long line behind me I would have mentioned American Gods to see his reaction.
Good times.
Hmmm…. who could that friend be?
I’m reading “Good Omens” right now, co-written by Gaiman. It took a little while to get rolling, just like American Gods, but now that I’m in it I’m really loving it.
I enjoyed Gaiman’s Stardust and Neverwhere. I will have to pick this one up as well as Anasasi. Plus, who knows what conversation it will spark.
Oh! Read Anansi Boys! And I have the audio book read by Lenny Henry (so fab!) if you guys want to borrow it.
What I find most interesting about this post is that Greg managed to spell his name three different ways in the course of this post, when the dust jacket prominently featuring his name is the accompanying picture.
Neil Gaiman is also very mesmerizing to watch and listen to. He will be coming to the National Book Festival in DC this year, and I must go see him and fawn over him again.