American Gods
American Gods (Original Title: American Gods ) is a novel by Neil Gaiman from the year 2001, he combines elements of fantasy, various aspects of classical and modern mythology and American folklore.. The German translation is by Karsten Singelmann and was first published by Heyne Verlag, 2003.
Action
In the center of the story is Shadow, who the mysterious and taciturn protagonist. After a failed robbery Shadow makes from a prison sentence, his cellmate is a con artist named Low Key Lyesmith. Shadow is released early from prison because his beloved wife Laura died in a car accident. On the way home, he meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, who hired him as a bodyguard. Together, they travel through America, visit as mysterious as historical places and meet with colleagues and acquaintances of Mr. Wednesday.
In the course of the story it is clear that Mr. Wednesday is an incarnation of the deity Odin. This collects numerous other "old" gods and mythical heroes around, to lead them in a decisive battle against the titular new American Gods ( American Gods ), powerful personifications of phenomena like the Internet, the mass media, or even of modern transport, because pull the latter increasingly the attention of people from the old gods and thus contribute to their loss of power. Shadows cellmate turns out to be the god Loki, who used along with Shadow Wednesday for their joint plans.
Numerous figures of mythology play a role in the story, such as Odin, Loki, Czorneboh, the Norns, Anansi, Ostara, potash, Thoth, Anubis, Horus and Bastet. In addition, some characters from Gaiman's graphic novel series The Sandman have short cameo appearances; from the ranks of the American folk hero Johnny Appleseed is for example represented.
Background
Even before the publication of a blog has been set up for advertising purposes, which enabled his readers to pursue the process of writing and later the Lektorierens, the publication of the novel and the actions of the advertising campaign. Then, these Website developed more and more to an official Neil Gaiman - site, which is extended still regularly to relevant information.
Some thoughts of the novel by Neil Gaiman were already in his graphic novel series The Sandman (1988 - 1996, DC Comics / Vertigo ) addressed.
Continuations
In the novel related to the story, The Monarch of the Glen, published in the anthologies Legends II and Fragile Things, Gaiman presents Shadow as an incarnation of the god Balder from Germanic mythology dar. In The Monarch of the Glen Shadow also assumes the role of Beowulf: he is hired by the mysterious Mr. Alice to fight as an entertainment program on a luxury party against a monster from the sea.
In Gaiman's 2006 novel, Anansi Boys appeared with Mr. Nancy, an incarnation of the West African trickster Anansi, one of the main characters again.
Awards
In 2002, the novel was awarded the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award and the Bram Stoker Award, respectively, in the category " best novel " ( "best novel" ), he also was nominated for the BSFA Award.
Expenditure
- Neil Gaiman: American gods. Roman ( Original Title: American Gods ). German Karsten Singelmann. Heyne, Munich 2005, 623 pp., ISBN 3-453-40037-2