PatAmerican Gods
May 5th 2009 12:30
Truly one of the worst books I've read in a long while. I decided to read it because of some comment about it made in an article in the Guardian newspaper. Not only does it read like it was written by a fifteen year old (absolutely serious with this point; it is technically a horrible piece of work), but it's a bewilderingly open rip-off of a colleague of the writer.
It's written by Neil Gaiman who's apparently most famous for putting out some kind of graphic novel years ago which I never read. He's now written a book which claims to be a study of the diverse nature of North America and which features (and I guarantee you that I'm not making this up) an Arab having a homosexual love encounter with a djinn (ie. an Arabian genie) taxi driver in New York City, culminating in Gaiman going into such specifics as describing the taste of djinn ejaculate as being 'spicy'.
Amazing.
It's even more inexplicable when you take into account the fact that the homosexual Arabian duo play absolutely no part in the story apart from knocking together an erotic encounter over the course of a few pages and that's about it.
But gratuitous exotic sexual acts aside, I've got another major gripe:
1. American Gods was published in 1991. Without wanting to delve too deeply into the plot (in case I ruin it for you beyond what Gaiman's already managed to do), it deals with the idea of 'gods' coming into existence as a result of people believing in them. The more believers, the more powerful the god, etc.
2. Small Gods is a book by Terry Pratchett published in 1992. It deals with exactly the same concept as I've set out above.
3. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch is a collaboration between Gaiman and Pratchett published in 1990. I have literally no idea about it's subject matter, and I'm not about to go and find out.
The facts are clear. Pratchett is a kindly, old man with Alzheimers. He's practically a cripple and an easy target for a shyster like Gaiman with his sinister motives and woefully inadequate ability to put pen to paper in a sensible and entertaining fashion.
Basically, I'm accusing Gaiman of STEALING the idea for his book (which he cunningly published before poor, senile, old Pratchett managed to blast through the barrier of his mental handicap to publish his) under the pretense of collaboration.
Despicable behaviour from an allegedly 'respected' author. I feel sick even thinking about it.
All in all, this book is an absolute disaster from start to finish and Gaiman deserves hate mail by the truckload for what he's done to me, and countless others around the globe - and let's not forget trusting Terry who's been taken for one hell of a ride on the rollercoaster of PLAGARISM.
Do not read this book. Vote and comment as much as possible. I value your feedback. Thanks for sharing your precious internet time with me, friends.
=|:^)
It's written by Neil Gaiman who's apparently most famous for putting out some kind of graphic novel years ago which I never read. He's now written a book which claims to be a study of the diverse nature of North America and which features (and I guarantee you that I'm not making this up) an Arab having a homosexual love encounter with a djinn (ie. an Arabian genie) taxi driver in New York City, culminating in Gaiman going into such specifics as describing the taste of djinn ejaculate as being 'spicy'.
Amazing.
It's even more inexplicable when you take into account the fact that the homosexual Arabian duo play absolutely no part in the story apart from knocking together an erotic encounter over the course of a few pages and that's about it.
But gratuitous exotic sexual acts aside, I've got another major gripe:
1. American Gods was published in 1991. Without wanting to delve too deeply into the plot (in case I ruin it for you beyond what Gaiman's already managed to do), it deals with the idea of 'gods' coming into existence as a result of people believing in them. The more believers, the more powerful the god, etc.
2. Small Gods is a book by Terry Pratchett published in 1992. It deals with exactly the same concept as I've set out above.
3. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch is a collaboration between Gaiman and Pratchett published in 1990. I have literally no idea about it's subject matter, and I'm not about to go and find out.
The facts are clear. Pratchett is a kindly, old man with Alzheimers. He's practically a cripple and an easy target for a shyster like Gaiman with his sinister motives and woefully inadequate ability to put pen to paper in a sensible and entertaining fashion.
Basically, I'm accusing Gaiman of STEALING the idea for his book (which he cunningly published before poor, senile, old Pratchett managed to blast through the barrier of his mental handicap to publish his) under the pretense of collaboration.
Despicable behaviour from an allegedly 'respected' author. I feel sick even thinking about it.
All in all, this book is an absolute disaster from start to finish and Gaiman deserves hate mail by the truckload for what he's done to me, and countless others around the globe - and let's not forget trusting Terry who's been taken for one hell of a ride on the rollercoaster of PLAGARISM.
Do not read this book. Vote and comment as much as possible. I value your feedback. Thanks for sharing your precious internet time with me, friends.
=|:^)
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