20 March, 2020
Anansi is a modern day twist to the Mythological creatures from long ago. By using gods and mythical creatures, Neil Gaiman, brings to life the story of Fat Charlie and how quickly his daily routine can change. His father, Anansi is a god and he learns after his father's death that he has a brother. The story takes place in modern England and America and Anansi's one son, Spider, is not only cool and suave, but his name is not that of an ancient god. Rather than use their powers to cause havoc on man kind and to explain the pleasures and pitfalls of humans daily lives, Anansi and Spider use their godly power to convince people to like them, love them, and to be hip or cool. Gaiman weaves modern love stories, embezzlement, and every day life into the story of Anansi and his sons. Fat Charlie is not aware that he is part god or that he even has a brother but once Spider is introduced there is no turning back. Gaiman does a great job not making the god like characters too overbearing as to where the story is unbelievable. Instead, the reader likes Charlie and wants him to do well. The fact that Spider is a god with god like powers is simply a side step to the modern take on embezzlement, murder, and mayhem. Chalie's boss is miserable and stealing from the company. He murders his old partners wife, steals millions, and then attempts to place the blame on Charlie. Having god like abilities, Spider is able to help clear the matter up and Charlie morphs into what he always was destined to be; a god like his dad and brother. By the end of the story, Charlie has found his way in life and rather than be afraid to take on the world, he is a self assured and confident gentleman.
I agree that Gaiman does a great job not making the characters too unbelievable. I was waiting for them to sound like Disney villains, but he didn't make them cartoony, which I appreciate. I would like to hear more about your opinion on the book and how you liked it.
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