American Gods

[Hugh_Bristic]

I began reading this a few days ago because it came highly recommended, both by people from the boards and on the outside. Truth to tell, each passing page is a constant reminder why I don't read "contemporary" literature. Perhaps I'm not trained in the subtleties of Gaiman and should've started with Sandman or Coraline or Neverwhere; maybe then I would appreciate it. But as it stands, I feel like I'm trapped in a young director's debut, low-cost soft porn flick who got rejected from Sundance.

Maybe, just maybe, I expected too much from main characters, Shadow and Wednesday... *bow-chicky-bow-wow*

[Protoclown]

American Gods is good, but it's the least of Gaiman's work if you ask me. That I've read anyway. I enjoyed it, but I had this feeling like it didn't quite live up to its potential. Don't give up on Gaiman though, check out Sandman, that truly lives up to the masterpiece title it is often bestowed.

[Darryl]

I thought it was "ok," but not exceptional like everyone thought in the giant thread on the old board.

The first book of Gaiman's I read was Neverwhere, and I thought it was fantastic.

[Generator86]

Yeah, definitely check out Sandman. Flat out the best shit written, in my opinion.

[pjalne]

I'd say Gaiman's weakest is Stardust. I liked AG quite a bit.

And check out his colaborations with Dave McKean: Mr. Punch, Signal to Noise and Violent Cases. They're fantastic.

http://www.encyclopedia-obscura.com/gphcs/comicssignal1.gif
^Signal to Noise.

[Systemz]

What about "Good Omens" with Terry Pratchett? That book was a serious laugh-till-you-peer. For something a bit more in his usual vein, try to track down any one of his "Death" miniseries from Vertigo that he did with Chris Bachalo. Death - The High Cost of Living is my fave.

[pjalne]

Good Omens is fantastic. I think I've read it three times. And the Death miniseries are good too.

[Protoclown]

I actually prefered the second Death miniseries, "Time of Your Life".

[Systemz]

Actually Clown, I gotta agree.
What was that short story collection he wrote?

[pjalne]

There have been a few. There is one called Angels & Visitations and another called Smoke & Mirrors. You're probably thinking of one of them.

[Grazzt]

Sorry about dredging up this old post, but I just got back, so...

I also like the Books of Magic mini by Neil.

[pjalne]

Are the non-Gaiman BoM collections any good, by the way? The first collection is great.

[Protoclown]

Yes, in fact I think the ongoing series by John Ney Rieber is better than the miniseries by Gaiman.

[pjalne]

Maybe I'll give it a try when I get the time. Lots of schoolwork nowadays, and a lot of Alan Moore to plow through.

[Grazzt]

Yeah, Proto. Especially when all those alterna-Tims show up.