When I saw “American Gods” the first time on some big streaming channel in 2017, I didn\u2019t know that it is based on some book. “Another fantasy series”, I thought. Though I love that genre and have some interest in mythology and ancient gods it was no question, that I\u2018ll watch it, and as I read the literary base had been written by Neil Gaiman, I knew I would buy it. It took only two years to do so. Faster than building the Berlin airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerning gods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“American Gods” \u2013 that\u2019s what the author promises to write about. But as omnipresent gods are even nowadays the question remains, if there ARE American gods. Ancient Maya and Inca surely had their gods. But in north America? I have some doubts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it is no real wonder, that it\u2019s the old gods of Europe, Africa and Asia, that rule the story, gods who had been dragged to America over thousands of years and were forgotten. Gods who are remembered only in old tales and become more and more displaced by new gods, the gods of entertainment and money. Finally, the book says (though not in word), mankind hadn\u2019t been made by gods. The gods were made by humankind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed it seems to be logical. Men prayed to some Odin guy brought sacrifices and that way Odin came to life. As Leif, son of Eric, came to Newfoundland he brought his gods with him, worshiped him and when he left, something oft hat gods remained behind \u2013 be it just some picture on some shard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Columbus discovered America (again) in 1492, he brought his Christian god with him and it is said, this god still roams Texas. As in those past days still men define what said god would like and what not, assume someone is president through Gods mercy, no matter if God wants or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it is all too logical, that all people brought their own gods to America. The Indians (meaning the people from India) brought Ganesha as well as Kali. Slaves out of Africa had their gods and when it comes to writing about all those gods, it seems Neil Gaiman\u2019s way is the only one fitting. Where else should all those ancient gods meet than in America, a country and a continent that is shaped by immigrants like no other in this world. Should they meet here in Germany? Italy? Switzerland, China or Russia? No, America is the only neutral ground. None of those gods is originated there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do you picture such neutral ground? Mr. Gaiman simply summons everybody of rank and name and even some I\u2019ve never heard of before. I knew neither of Czernobog nor of the three Zoryas before. Still they are no invention of the writer. The black god existed as well in Slavic mythology as the goddesses of the heavens. Just the tale of their coming to America comes from the author\u2019s fantasy. Cleverly Neil Gaiman doesn\u2019t tell those origin stories himself. He gives that task to Thot, the scribe of the ancient Egyptian gods. But then again that\u2019s nearly all the Ibis headed god does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gods actually have no big part in the story at all. It\u2019s more a kind of \u201croad movie\u201d, Shadow Moon in its centre, a man just released from prison, taking a job that leads him directly into the maelstrom of the events which shall culminate in the great war between the new an the old gods. Will this simple man save the day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spoiler alert!<\/div>

Yes. Of course he does. It\u2019s his job.<\/div>