American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition: A Novel

Neil Gaiman

Jun 2011 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

Since it was first published, American Gods became an instant classic. Now discover the mystery and majesty of American Gods in this beautiful reissue of the Author's Preferred Text edition. Featuring a new preface by Neil Gaiman in honor of the novel's 20th anniversary, this commemorative volume is a true celebration of a modern masterpiece.

Locked behind bars for three years, Shadow did his time, quietly waiting for the magic day when he could return to Eagle Point, Indiana. A man no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, all he wanted was to be with Laura, the wife he deeply loved, and start a new life. 

But just days before his release, Laura and Shadow’s best friend are killed in an accident. With his life in pieces and nothing to keep him tethered, Shadow accepts a job from a beguiling stranger he meets on the way home, an enigmatic man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A trickster and a rogue, Wednesday seems to know more about Shadow than Shadow does himself. 

Life as Wednesday’s bodyguard, driver, and errand boy is far more interesting and dangerous than Shadow ever imagined—it is a job that takes him on a dark and strange road trip and introduces him to a host of eccentric characters whose fates are mysteriously intertwined with his own.

Ratings and reviews

Probably one of the worst books I've read. I clearly didn't understand any of the references or how anything described in this boon has any relevance to anything at all. Probably needs annotations galore to explain each paragraph. I kept reading hoping the ending would make it worth it, but dear God the ending is worse than the beginning. It's like one of those old cars that keep sputtering with just enough energy to make you think they'll start but never actually do, until finally the engine just starts smoking... No explosion even.

I started the ebook because I forgot my hard copy while on vacation. Though the book cover was different, it said 10th anniversary edition. It is 300 pages shorter than the hard copy i have, so I have to reread it hard copy to see what I missed. Annoyed.

I thought the beginning of this book was great. There were a number of awesome storylines that I thought the author could have gone down. But as I got more into I found that it didn't really go anywhere and I found the end to be unsatisfying and major aspects of the story left me wanting.

About the author

Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling and multi-award winning author and creator of many beloved books, graphic novels, short stories, film, television and theatre for all ages. He is the recipient of the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, and many Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Will Eisner Awards. Neil has adapted many of his works to television series, including Good Omens (co-written with Terry Pratchett) and The Sandman. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and Professor in the Arts at Bard College. For a lot more about his work, please visit: https://www.neilgaiman.com/