This book is decidedly ambulatory.  It meanders, it slows down and looks at things and ponders them, it moves on.  It's a commentary not only on America itself and the cultures that make it up, but also religion and what that even means.  It's about cons and sacrifice and betrayal.  While it mostly follows Shadow's journey, it's also interspersed with sections that have nothing to with him and instead illustrate the story of a culture and their god(s) or mythical creatures, and of the people who worship or follow them.

I'll start off by saying that I was not particularly moved by this book.  Shadow as its main character does very little that is not determined by the flow of events happening around him, and seems to feel very little about those events one way or anther, which in turn, made it hard to really connect with him.  His magic tricks were perhaps the most fun and interesting part of his character, particularly because it showcased his kind nature - such as doing magic to impress the little kids he meets or rigging a coin toss so that he ends up paying for someone else's meal.  Other than those brief, shining moments, as well as one decision later on in the book, Shadow was just kind of a person who went driving to a lot of places.  Wednesday as his companion throughout the majority of the book, is much more vibrant in comparison, as are many of the other gods that inhabit these pages - I particularly enjoyed Thoth and Anubis in the forms of Mr. Ibis and Mr. Jacquel.  

Philosophical and somehow aimless at the same time, the book concerns itself with a sprawling land and cast of characters that by their very inclusion, make a statement on the themes that act as the roots of the book.  Religion and mythology are not quite synonyms as words, as mythology generally connotates something that is largely agreed upon as not real, usually a polytheistic belief system that explained the changing of the seasons or the reason the moon and the sun rose at different times of day, something that is largely because it has been supplanted by belief systems monotheistic in nature, and due to the time since people have truly believed in them.  Whereas religion is generally considered an "alive" word of sorts, usually connotating something current that people believe in.  And it is mythologies where Gaiman focuses, focusing on Norse, Egyptian, and Native American beliefs for the bulk of the story.  When juxtaposing the old with the new gods, he largely omits the Abrahamic religions that dominate American culture, and instead focuses new generally non-religious concepts that nevertheless hold a huge sway of American culture and history, such as technology, media, and conspiracy theories.  

The reveal that Odin was planning on starting a bloodbath alongside Loki (another classic wordplay there from Mr. Gaiman) makes a strong statement itself, perhaps only about Norse mythology, but if you pay attention, certainly to the greater statement about religion that Gaiman makes in this novel.  One of his key motifs is that the gods are really only as strong as the people who believe in them still make offerings to them.  In the case of some more minor deities/mythological figures, that amounts to leaving out some food to guarantee a good harvest, but more often, it pertains to human sacrifice.  From Odin's reputation as the gallows god, to Czernobog's hammer, to the Queen of Sheba's literally absorbing her clients, to Hinzelmann the kobold, who had been a sacrifice himself, sacrificing all those children to help the town prosper, it's clear that these gods are bloody and that they demand more blood.  And perhaps it says something about the American people that they have to turn to infighting among themselves to get it, as those who used to believe in them don't anymore.  At least, the old gods don't.  Who knows about the new?

Perhaps one of the best reading experiences by sheer luck happened during the part where Shadow hangs from the tree.  It's described that a strong thunderstorm occurs, and just as I had read it, a massive thunderstorm hit my town.  It didn't last for very long, but it rained all throughout that section, which I found particularly serendipitous.  Regarding his choice to hold Wednesday/Odin's vigil, I think that it was a good choice, certainly the most active one that Shadow ever made, and it offered him this moment of spiritual truth, but I perhaps didn't feel like it all came together into one point.  Perhaps it needs a re-read, perhaps not, I'm not sure.

This was decidedly well-written, and makes a lot of strong points that are worth considering beyond just the pages of the novel, but I was often not engaged enough to feel like this is necessarily a life-changing novel.  But it's a good examination of America, or at least what Gaiman feels about America to be true, and I think worth reading.

I really enjoyed the book though it was meandering and not a lot happens until the last quarter. The world is interesting enough that you don't really mind. (Worth noting that NG did say in the introduction that he wanted to write a novel that was meandering and weird, which he did.)

Neil Gaimen has really great prose and dialogue, but my god does he use those abilities for evil sometimes. Fascinating book. Incredibly long.

Helped me get over some big book fear. I love Shadow so much, which is saying something because I never tend to feel so strongly about protagonists. This book comforted me as I chugged through it, slowly, probably over a year. But it was worth it, and l imagine I’ll be reading it again when the time is right. It was wonderful to finish this book in time for spring. 

2024 update: this was my favorite book. i’m so disgusted and sad. believe survivors