Just fantastic!

With the impending release of Neil Gaiman's new audiobook - 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' (18th June 2013) - I thought it was worth quickly reviewing the best of his previous novels. Although Anansi Boys is great (especially once you get used to Lenny Henry doing the narration), American Gods remains his greatest novelistic and audiobook achievement.

The story starts with Shadow getting out of prison a day early due to tragic circumstances. What follows is an odyssey into the heartland of America and the Gods who live there. While the book itself is a great read, the audio version really brings the text to life - Shadow's dry sense of humour; Wednesday's mischievousness. It's so good I'm actually envious of those people who have not yet had the pleasure of downloading it - if you're one of these people, download it NOW! You won't regret it.

On a similar fantasy-related / magical-reality theme, I would also heartedly recommend the Peter Grant novels by Ben Aaronovitch - the everyday tell of your average bobby becoming the last apprentice of English magic. It is simply one of the best narrated books on Audible. Warning: be careful where you listen, however, you will undoubtedly get strange looks due to your laughing.

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100 people found this helpful

My new favourite book

I'd listened to the Anansi Boys narrated by Lenny Henry and loved it, knowing at the time that it was vaguely connected to American Gods, but Lenny was the draw.



Don't know why but I wasn't particularly drawn to American Gods, but after constant recommendations I thought I'd seek out the audiobook. Initially I was put off by the reviews regarding the narration, but decided to proceed with caution.



The narration is perfect for the book and kept me entertained from chapter to chapter, an absolute pleasure to listen too.



The story itself is so full personality. I became attached to many of the characters, but none more so than Shadow. I was upset when it ended and I hope to enter into that world again soon.

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18 people found this helpful

This book has got character!

Mystifyingly captivating despite tenuous ramblings from time to time. It's an imaginative American road trip but which gives you a real sense of the people and places along the spiritual way. A story I doubt I will forget.

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11 people found this helpful

amazing

An incredible journey. Sprawling adventure that bring together the old countries and America. This book need time set aside to be heard, not for listening in parts. The characters are well developed, many are likeable and some you will loath. Shadow dances between old and new gods. Neil Paints masterpieces, unlike boy wizards author’s works with crayon!

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4 people found this helpful

A Brilliant Listen.

I have to confess, this is the first audiobook that I've heard end to end.
What makes American Gods such a good listen, apart from a great story, and I'm also listening to other great stories from other wonderful authors, is the excellent production, and cast. The book becomes a radio play, that I wanted to give my ear to, as often as I could. Generally, with audiobooks, I become so familiar with the voice of the person reading, that I inadvertently begin to tune out, no matter how well they read, and personify the characters. The production on American Gods, for me, was like listening in colour.
If you'd like to have your ears have an audible treat, then hand over your coin, and enjoy a good listen.

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2 people found this helpful

Great listen fantastic story. Gonna look for more

loved it. Neil G is a fantastic story teller... gonna look for more right now 😎

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2 people found this helpful

Really good

I enjoyed it a lot. funny, sad and challenging in places. Glad I read it before I watched it.

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1 person found this helpful

Wonderful delivery of an excellent novel

A road trip, a mystery, a buddie story, Americana, and fantasy - all delivered in several intermingled stories, wonderfully tied together. A great listen.

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1 person found this helpful

fantastic journey though America

Neil Galman can write a a story like no other. he leads you to a world that could be.
Do God's need mankind more than mankind needs the Gods?

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Brilliant story!!

It's a shame it's a little different to the show. The book is amazing. What a concept!

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