Nothing like kicking off a new year with some good reads. It definitely took longer than I would’ve liked, but I finally finished Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. On top of that, my writing group finally revived our book club. For January, we checked out P. Djèlí Clark’s The Dead Cat Tail Assassins. Two very different books written in two very different styles, but both are undeniably witty and immersive reads.
Despite it taking me over a year to finish American Gods, I find I don’t actually have all that much to say on it. Same goes for The Dead Cat Tail Assassins, though that one was much less of an ordeal to get through. So, rather than trying to wax poetic about either of them, I figure I’ll briefly discuss both books and talk about the few things that caught my eye. Let’s dive right in.
American Gods
American Gods tells an intriguing story, one that explores a unique array of complicated characters in a grimy and oftentimes chilling setting. After being released from prison, a young man by the name of Shadow Moon aims to pick up the pieces of his life. However, after finding out his wife Laura is dead, and that she had been having an affair with his best friend, Shadow is forced to find work with a con man named Mr. Wednesday. As the two travel together, Shadow learns more and more about a deeply-rooted conflict at the heart of America—a conflict involving mythological deities that were thought to be nothing but fiction. The gods are quite real, though, as is the war between the new ones and the old.
At its core, I looked at American Gods as a story about faith. Not necessarily faith in any particular religion or deity, mind you. More so, it’s a story about faith in people, faith in community, and, to a degree, faith in our institutions. There’s an obvious but brilliant juxtaposition between the habits and patterns of the grizzled old gods, such as Odin, Czernobog, Anubis, and Anansi, versus the sly new gods, who each represent different elements of the contemporary society, such as technology, pop culture, the stock market, and even conspiracy theories. Gaiman expertly brings the various facets of these gods and the things they embody to life through the characters’ actions and motives.
Much of this book’s charm lies in its large cast of characters. Shadow serves as our window into this world; as he finds himself searching for answers and wondering just what the fuck is going on, we’re right there with him. Odin, aka Mr. Wednesday, is perfectly fitting in the role of a con man seeking power. Even Laura, who appears before Shadow from time to time as an undead specter yearning to return to life, plays a vital role, bringing a sense of calm when the story needs it. Additionally, there are various “Coming to America” stories included throughout the book that help build out the world, detailing how all these mythological deities arrived in America in the first place.
My one issue with this story is Shadow’s role in it. Oftentimes, he feels too passive, like he’s just there to serve as the reader’s conduit into the world and story. Granted, he’s not without his own motivations; his main goal is to bring his wife back to life, but his drive to actually achieve that goal felt a bit inconsistent to me. Otherwise, he just kind of goes along with what the plot needs from him, which doesn’t help the middle section of the book; it dragged a bit too much for my liking. Shadow takes a turn for the better in the final act, where he starts to make some real choices and have his own agency, but I would’ve liked to see more of that throughout the rest of the book.
Overall, though, American Gods has definitely earned its positive reputation. It’s a well-crafted story in a believable world. It’s definitely worth checking out, if you haven’t already. Now, the question on my mind is if it’s worth it or not to check out the television adaptation.
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins
“The Dead Cat Tail Assassins are not cats. Nor do they have tails. But they are most assuredly dead.” Sly humor and wit such as this fill the pages of this wonderful fantasy tale. The story follows an undead woman named Eveen, who operates as an assassin in the city of Tal Abisi. Eveen serves her guild, the Dead Cat Tails, having pledged her unlife to the goddess Aeril, the Matron of Assassins. On the evening of the Festival of the Clockwork King, what was supposed to be a regular contract for Eveen turns into a complicated and fast-paced mystery that harkens back to her past—a past she cannot remember.
The thought that kept coming to mind as I was listening to this audiobook was, “This would make a really fun popcorn flick.” This book felt very to the point for me, which is a good thing. It’s an exciting sort of buddy cop story, only the buddy cops are an assassin and a younger, time-displaced version of herself. The setup for this story opens up some interesting storytelling opportunities, which Clark does well to take on in stride.
Clark demonstrates a sharp talent for naturalistic worldbuilding, which, as I’m told by friends who have read his other works, is to be expected. The colorful cast of characters, including Eveen and her many assassin colleagues, effortlessly carry the action from scene to scene, which then provides readers/listeners with needed insights into the history and locales of Tal Abisi. Ultimately, this is a perfect example of turning your setting into an actual character. There’s an undeniable richness to this city and world that make it feel real and lived in.
Digressing to the characters, Eveen and her youthful counterpart Sky serve as a brilliant dynamic duo of protagonists. They both have bright personalities, with Eveen being far more vulgar and quick-witted, while Sky is a bit spunkier and open-minded. They’re hard not to enjoy. Although, with that being said, Eveen did somewhat strike me as a character lacking motivation. She essentially has the opposite problem as Shadow in American Gods; she operates as an active protagonist, making choices and working toward the goal of solving the mystery at hand, but her exact motivations—her personal reasons for wanting to solve the mystery—felt unclear to me. It didn’t detract from the story’s pace or enjoyability, but it certainly would’ve elevated the whole thing.
All that being said, I still give The Dead Cat Tail Assassins a high recommendation. It’s a quick and easy read that won’t necessarily leave you with any philosophical ponderings, but it’ll definitely have you grinning ear to ear the whole time. Sometimes, that’s all you really need from a good book.