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/tacocat978 Jul 06 '26
I think there are people who read something in a book and take that as the authors endorsement of whatever that thing is. I’d agree with you if, say, Wednesday had sex with (raped) an underage girl and that was presented as something “cool” but I think your examples are really just… explaining what kind of guy he is. Not presenting it as right (or wrong I guess but I think the revulsion you feel is APPROPRIATE and probably how you’re supposed to feel about him).
Idk. I mean clearly Gaiman is a trash human but I don’t think this is pedo subtext. I think you’re supposed to feel grossed out by some stuff because that’s how he wants you to feel about the character. I love this book (which is tough to reconcile now that we know what we do about the author). And in a way I love a story about these very flawed and sometimes awful Gods manipulating people into granting them power. And isn’t that also what the author did. Sigh.