Anansi Boys

A trickster god dies, leaving his two sons to squabble with each other and, in that process, identify. At once immersive, magical, and memorable, Gaiman took me through the problems and conflicts of his characters with a potpourri of gravitas, humour, and smartness that only he can conjure with such ease.

Despite the lack of profundity that he's known for amid the scribbled sorcery, I got a lukewarm feel at the end, an all's well that ends well moment that’s an underappreciated and recently overlooked ethic of good-ol’ fantasy.

This follow-up to American Gods once again puts ancient gods in the modern world, but you don’t have to have read the first book to jump in. American Gods centers on Shadow, the son of Odin, while Anansi Boys focuses on the children of the trickster god, Anansi. Anansi is a classic storyteller, who fooled the animal god Tiger into giving him ownership of all stories. This book is all things you would expect from Gaiman—clever, humorous, and mythic. And it directly analyzes the power and purpose of storytelling, giving readers a rare glimpse into a storyteller’s toolbox. 

Family is a huge part of my life, and this book is all about family. Two brothers, united by the death of their father, only to discover there’s magic in the family and they must use it to defend what’s left of their legacy. I love the themes of sibling rivalry, the anguish and joy of family ties, and the challenge of discovering an inner strength you didn’t know you had. Charlie Nancy is a kind, self-deprecating character who has to get out from under the shadow of his dashing, winsome brother, and he manages it with humor and heart.… show more.