American GodsAmerican Gods
Score Modern
What it's about
Shadow Moon is released from prison days early, after his wife dies in a car accident. On his way home he meets Mr. Wednesday, a con man who knows far more than he should and offers him a job. Shadow learns that the gods and myths brought to America by immigrants over the centuries are real, and fading as belief in them dies. Now they're preparing for war against the new gods of America: media, technology and money.
Why it's worth reading
It won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards and became a TV series. It's a dark, funny road trip through America's back roads and its myths.
You'll love it if you liked
The Left Hand of Darkness
The Name of the Rose
11/22/63Good to know
It's long and meanders. It includes violence and some explicit sex.
By the numbers
- Readers63 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics80 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller60 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #34 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #138 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #268 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Epic, Adventurous
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Quick answers
Is American Gods worth reading?
Yes. It won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards and became a TV series. It ranks #268 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 82.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is American Gods about?
Shadow Moon is released from prison days early, after his wife dies in a car accident. On his way home he meets Mr. Wednesday, a con man who knows far more than he should and offers him a job. Shadow learns that the gods and myths brought to America by immigrants over the centuries are real, and fading as belief in them dies. Now they're preparing for war against the new gods of America: media, technology and money.
How long does it take to read American Gods?
About 16 hours (635 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has American Gods won?
Hugo Award winner (2002); Nebula Award winner (2002).
What should I read after American Gods?
If you liked it, try The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco or 11/22/63 by Stephen King.