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Post by newt5996 on Aug 3, 2018 21:09:42 GMT
So because of some discussion of the book in a Dark Shadows thread and the fact that I finished reading the book last night I thought we could get a discussion going. I know people don't really like the character of Laura, but I feel that she got to have a pretty good redemption arc by the end of the book. However, I thought that near the end the book kind of fell apart by making Wednesday and Loki the villains of the piece. I feel like people pick up American Gods as a book that's going to be an adventure when really it's kind of a road trip novel.
On Gaiman's style I said I found it wordy but it was easy to read, though I feel that it was more of Terry Pratchett who wrote the manuscript to Good Omens as that one stylistically is much closer to Pratchett than Gaiman.
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Post by Trace on Aug 4, 2018 1:24:19 GMT
I agree with you about Laura. I actually always liked her, but I feel that the TV series did a better job of fleshing her character out. You’re right...Gaiman’s writing tends to be wordy, and while I really liked the book for the story, I don’t necessarily think he’s a great writer. Storyteller, yes. I just wish he’d “get there” a little sooner.
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Post by masterdoctor on Aug 4, 2018 2:00:34 GMT
I agree with you about Laura. I actually always liked her, but I feel that the TV series did a better job of fleshing her character out. You’re right...Gaiman’s writing tends to be wordy, and while I really liked the book for the story, I don’t necessarily think he’s a great writer. Storyteller, yes. I just wish he’d “get there” a little sooner. Sounds like he would be great for Dark Shadows then... I kid I kid  . For me, I find that he strikes the right balance of quote on quote wordiness. Not the level of both George R. R and J.R.R who I feel just word barf all over the page without rhyme or reason, but never reaches the level of Rowling who is pretty description less when it comes to a lot of writing. |
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Post by charlesuirdhein on Aug 4, 2018 10:21:16 GMT
Always found it to be a weak novel riding on Gaiman's cred as opposed to his skills. I remember putting it down after reading it and thinking this would be better as a graphic novel.
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Post by Ela on Aug 5, 2018 5:13:50 GMT
Gosh, it's been a long time since I read this one. I enjoyed it at the time, but it sure took a long time to get to the point. Also, I wasn't quite sure what was "American" about the gods.  |
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Post by newt5996 on Aug 5, 2018 18:25:10 GMT
I agree with you about Laura. I actually always liked her, but I feel that the TV series did a better job of fleshing her character out. You’re right...Gaiman’s writing tends to be wordy, and while I really liked the book for the story, I don’t necessarily think he’s a great writer. Storyteller, yes. I just wish he’d “get there” a little sooner. It’s not like I don’t like wordy fiction as I adore Tolkien, Martin, and Robert Jordan. It was just something about it that Gaiman didn’t really have a point to get to instead of getting to it slowly |
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. For me, I find that he strikes the right balance of quote on quote wordiness. Not the level of both George R. R and J.R.R who I feel just word barf all over the page without rhyme or reason, but never reaches the level of Rowling who is pretty description less when it comes to a lot of writing.
