Neil Gaiman's American Gods is not a light read, and for good reason. An entire history of cultures and mythologies are reinvented in the image of contemporary western culture. If anyone suspected this was a light read there in for a rude awakening.
Within the novel, Gaiman points out that humanity must worship and that they will always worship. Its practically in our genetics. But it's what we worship that remains in a constant state of change. No longer do we worship gods of harvest but we worship cell phones. It is how all those gods that we brought with us over ships and colonies must now keep up with humanity's shifting priorities. The premise alone brings promise.
How often do we get to see the world through the eyes of a god, let alone an old god living with the harsh realities of their obsolescence in a world that followed them without question. Just by this slight diversion, a dynamic collection of stories and characters seemingly writes itself.
This is how myth has transformed in contemporary society. No longer is it satisfactory for an all powerful being to to just...well, do stuff. What is on this being's mind? What are it's faults, it's desires, it's needs? It is by asking WHY that myth has been able to grow with the contemporary world even if it's gods and goddesses of hold haven't.
No comments:
Post a Comment