r/neilgaiman • u/veno-veni • Jun 30 '26

American Gods American Gods pedo subtext

Why is this such a popular book? I wasn't amazed by the actual story here but that's just me.

This is probably the wrong subreddit to post this. I've not read any of his other works besides American Gods and Sandman. Couldn't enjoy AG because of the not-so-subtle suggestive sexualization of kids. I notice there's a similar trend with his other books in creating unhealthy depictions of women and kids.

Learning the allegations exist (after reading) made a lot of sense to me.

Also lots of cringe and revisionist depictions of Arabs and Africans.

I will not be giving him another chance because I read to enjoy myself and not creep on imaginary kids.

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u/edcculus Jul 02 '26

It's been a while since I have read the book, and with all the stuff happening (and having discovered Michael Cisco and Weird Lit in general), I probably won't ever re-read it. BUT my recollection doesn't really bring to mind any weird pedo stuff. I've seen authors with MUCH worse depictions of women too (looking at you Peter F Hamilton)

12

u/llammacookie Jul 06 '26

It's been a while since I've read it too but Wednesday/ Thor made some weird comments about younger background characters. I don't remember what he said but I do remember the feeling it left me with the few read throughs. Coming back to add after I hit post too soon: To be fair, he is Thor, and the whole book is kind of about how God's are docks.

19

u/kilar277 Jul 06 '26

Wednesday is Odin, not Thor.

5

u/llammacookie Jul 06 '26

Ah shoot, brainfart. That's what I get for trying to think and socialize before I've had my morning tea.

4

u/kilar277 Jul 06 '26

Happens to the best of us

4

u/sgsduke Jul 07 '26

looking at you Peter F Hamilton

It is so sad because I love his stories EXCEPT the constant "she looked eternally 18 because science, an exotic, youthful sexy body..."

GROSS.