There's something wrong with the Gaming industry that has affected the (Book? or perhaps tree holocaust?) industry... and I think I've narrowed down the problem.
They all want to be films. Or at least, play/read like films. And that is an issue. The issue is that it ruins many many (many) aspects of the game/book as they try to live up to the expectations of a hollowood blockbuster than as good a game/book.
Take for instance, Fallout 3 (reviewed by Stingray here or here) it would have been a blimming good game if it wasn't for the horrible horrible (horrible) storyline, which starts off okay and plummets to (you guessed it) horrible about the same time you buy the game. They may as well have designed the game, then asked a panel of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and a Dead Dolphin to write the storyline... and then burn everything Lucas and Spielburg write. Sorry Stingray for treading on your toes there...
And the same goes for the Book industry. All those books that evolved into films for all those who are unable to read without the aid of someone else reading it. Films about bespecticled teenagers with scars and a hatred for volewarts, films about teenage vampires who fail to grasp the idea that youre meant to eat the teenage girl instead of fall in love with her, Films about small people with wedding rings and a pointless journey to a volcano...
I suppose what im looking for is originality (thats things that havent yet been thought of kids) But looking for originality is like looking for a specific car salesman in a warehouse full of car salesmen... when the warehouse is the size of Belguim... and all the salesmen are clones... and you're blind...
So it came as a shock to me when i read this lil piece of literature... mainly because it has the same properties as a car battery and because i had recently washed my hands... in electricity.
Anyhow,
There are very few people I have respect for in this world. Terry Pratchett (but he may have forgotten) JK Rowling*, A girl I know who shall remain anonymous becuase she actually has no name speakable by human tongue, and Niel Gaiman.
Niel Gaiman is most famous for his graphic novels: The Sandman, Which, if you have money and a strong stomach you should purchase and worship, and his series of short stories, which, if you can read and have a strong stomach you should purchase and worship.
But here we have American Gods, Which is neither a graphic novel or a short story, but is instead the most original piece of writing I have read since Kipper lost his sock. Seriously, if if this book was a car salesman he would be 50 feet tall and Jesus and glowing.
We follow the story of Shadow, an ex con with a dead wife, who manages to be employed as bodyguard and handyman for the anthropomorphic personification (This being what they would look like if they appeared before you in human form) of Odin, that mostly blind guy from those viking countires that people only remember for thier raping and pilliaging in the 17th century.
In short he gets himself a reputation with several Gods from several religions who now hide in America, tries to avoid his (still dead) wife as she attempts to explain to him that she was having an affiar and tries his hardest to avoid the Gods of the internet, the media, and television who want him either dead, dying or running away.
The running theme throughout this book is pure bewilderment. Shadow rarely understands anything thats happening to him (aside that his wife smells a bit funny is stalking him) until around the time he dies. Perhaps I should have warned you about spoilers there...
The narrative is actually pretty good. You're always guessing at whats around the corner, and always getting it wrong (which makes it brilliant) You dont actually know hows its going to end**, as you are able to picture it ending either way. The only substory you know will end soppily is the small issue of Shadows dead wife (who dies in the end... and the beginning... and through all of it).
But most of all, its original. The whole conept of a Godless country being the residence of so many Gods is creative and rather rather brilliant. It mixes the culture and customs of the modern US with the old belief systems of countless other countries and communities. And he does this with due care and attention; presenting media forces such as Television and the Internet as Gods themselves; relying on those who worship them every night. Some of you may have noticed my distinct lack of humour in those sentences. So here goes:
Why, oh why Mr. Gaiman, must you ruin such a beautiful piece of doorstoppage(its a big book) by using it to subtly comment on the issues of present day?
You know when you have a book read to you at nursery school? and when the book is finished the teacherette snaps the book shut and says "and the moral of the story, class, is not to close both eyes when you live in a house with seven bored dwarves" thats what I mean.
You do not have to construct your story around some relevant social issue to make a truey epic piece of literature. Ben Elton (review readable Here, but not Here) spent his whole career commenting on social issues. Which makes him both famous and grumpy, but not good.
Gaiman is good, but the use of American Gods as a springboard for his comments on social problems in the US does somewhat stain his bloodstained White record sheet... which is covered in bloodstains... most of which are not his...
One more thing. He names hundreds of Gods from dozens of religions, yet he manages to miss the one that everybody questions, the one who calls himself God... just God. I would of liked to see where he fits into this rather epic war of the new and old Gods.
I intend to write a letter, sent with a copy of the book, to the Pope and, providing this 300 year old man can still use his eyes, ask him to read it and then answer as to why his wonderful, brilliant and invisible entity fails to make an appearance.
I doubt I'll get a reply...
Messenger out.
*This is respect for her inability to take no for an answer, despite my constant stream of mail requesting she either puts the pen down or attempts to remove both her lungs with it.
** An example of the opposite is Harry Potter. Its quite clear from the first book that it'll end happily for Harry, and that a majority of whoever he touches/speaks to/loves/eats will end up dead. A prophecy proven to be right if you've discovered that Harry potter is better than sex and thus have read them all. And if thats the case death is far too good for you.
