Neil Gaiman's book offers a colorful cast of characters, gods, legends, and mythical figures locked in a war between old gods and new gods across America.
Shadow Moon is an ex-convict who becomes the bodyguard and traveling companion to the mysterious Mr. Wednesday. He is drawn into a war between the old gods and the new gods of America.
Mr. Wednesday is a charismatic con man and the embodiment of the Norse god Odin. He recruits Shadow Moon for a mission to rally the old gods against the new gods.
Supporting character
Samantha "Sam" Black Crow
Independent, witty, open-minded
Sam is a college student and hitchhiker who briefly befriends Shadow Moon. She represents the contemporary American spirit and brings a fresh perspective to the story.
Rating
Rating:
3.6/5
Continue down for all the characters to American Gods
“American Gods” boasts a colorful and diverse list of characters, even for a fantasy tale. Here is a sample: an ex-con coin magician who brings a snowstorm by thinking about it, an old conman who escapes pursuers through a time-space warp, a mad shapeshifting hawk-man, and a woman brought back from the dead turning homicidal to save her surviving husband’s life. Much of the story is carried by this rich cast of characters.
Shadow Moon
Role: Protagonist
Key Info: Ex-convict, Bodyguard, Central figure in the conflict between the gods
A stoic and introspective ex-convict drawn into a war between old and new gods.
Background: Shadow Moon starts as a recently released convict who learns about his wife’s death just before his release. He is soon recruited by the enigmatic Mr. Wednesday to be his bodyguard and travel companion.
Personality: Shadow is loyal, introspective, and resilient. His calm demeanor and thoughtfulness allow him to navigate the bizarre and dangerous world he is thrust into.
Development: Throughout the novel, Shadow transitions from a passive observer to an active participant in the gods’ war. He uncovers secrets about his identity and gains a deeper understanding of the nature of and his role in the conflict.
Significance: Shadow is the lens through which readers experience the novel’s events. His journey symbolizes self-discovery and the search for meaning in a world of chaos.
Shadow Moon begins as a skeptic but gradually becomes open-minded in the story, which makes him a relatable protagonist. He is detached, which allows him to approach the surreal experiences with Mr. Wednesday with a calm that might otherwise be impossible. His loyalty to Mr. Wednesday, despite not fully understanding the god’s motives, speaks to his intrinsic sense of duty and honor. Shadow’s journey is self-discovery as he learns more about his true identity and the reality of the divine conflict. Throughout the story, he transforms from a passive participant to an active hero.
Mr. Wednesday
Role: Mentor/Antagonist
Key Info: Norse god Odin, Con man, Leader of the old gods
A charismatic and mysterious con man, secretly the Norse god Odin, who recruits Shadow for his schemes.
Background: Mr. Wednesday is a charismatic and cunning con man later revealed as the Norse god Odin. He recruits Shadow to assist him in rallying the old gods for an impending war against the new gods.
Personality: Mr. Wednesday is manipulative, charismatic, and cunning. He possesses a commanding presence and is skilled in persuasion and deceit.
Development: Wednesday’s true nature and motives are gradually revealed, showcasing his relentless determination to reclaim his former glory. His manipulative tactics and hidden agendas come to light, affecting his relationship with Shadow.
Significance: Mr. Wednesday represents the old gods’ struggle for relevance in a modern world dominated by new deities. His character explores themes of belief, power, and the changing nature of worship.
Mr. Wednesday’s character is pivotal in “American Gods,” serving as both mentor and antagonist to Shadow. His charismatic and manipulative nature allows him to gather followers and orchestrate events to his advantage. However, his deceitful tactics and hidden agendas reveal a darker side and make him distrustful among his peers. Mr. Wednesday’s relentless pursuit of power and relevance highlights the novel’s exploration of belief systems and the transient nature of faith.
Laura Moon
Role: Shadow’s Wife
Key Info: Deceased, Reanimated, Complex relationship with Shadow
Shadow’s deceased wife, unexpectedly resurrected and determined to reconcile with him.
Background: Laura Moon is Shadow’s wife who dies in a car accident shortly before his release from prison. She is mysteriously reanimated and follows Shadow on his journey.
Personality: Laura is determined, resourceful, and unapologetically blunt. Her love for Shadow drives her actions, even in death.
Development: Laura is unfaithful to her husband, Shadow, before her death. Her reanimation gives her a second chance to make amends and support Shadow in his quest.
Significance: Laura’s resurrection adds a supernatural element to the story and deepens the emotional stakes for Shadow. Her presence challenges the boundaries between life and death.
Laura Moon’s character adds an emotional depth to Shadow’s story. Her untimely death and subsequent reanimation blur the lines between life and death, making her a symbol of unresolved issues and second chances. Despite her undead state, Laura’s determination to support Shadow showcases her unwavering love and loyalty.
Audrey Burton
Role: Laura’s Best Friend
Key Info: Betrayed, Grieving, Bitter towards Shadow
The bitter widow of Shadow’s best friend, Robbie, and often antagonistic towards Shadow.
Background: Audrey Burton is Laura’s best friend and the wife of Robbie, with whom Laura was having an affair. She is deeply affected by the betrayal and the deaths of her husband and best friend.
Personality: Audrey is outspoken, bitter, and hurt. Her grief and sense of betrayal color her interactions with Shadow and others.
Development: Audrey’s character remains relatively static, representing the pain and fallout from Laura’s actions.
Significance: Audrey’s character highlights the personal cost of Laura and Robbie’s affair.
Audrey Burton’s character shows the personal consequences of betrayal and loss. Her outspoken and palpable bitterness toward Shadow and Laura reflects the deep emotional wounds caused by the affair and the subsequent deaths. Audrey’s grief and anger contrast with Shadow’s more subdued mourning, emphasizing how people cope with loss and betrayal differently.
Samantha “Sam” Black Crow
Role: Supporting Character
Key Info: College student, Hitchhiker, Brief friend to Shadow
A college student and hitchhiker who crosses paths with Shadow, offering him friendship and support.
Background: Sam is a college student and hitchhiker who briefly befriends Shadow in his Mike Ainsel arc.
Personality: Sam is independent, witty, and open-minded. Her free-spirited nature and curiosity make her a memorable character.
Development: Sam’s character doesn’t undergo significant changes, but her interactions with Shadow offer insights into the novel’s themes.
Significance: Sam is a grounding force, reminding readers of the everyday American. Her modern perspective on faith and belief contrasts with how the old gods were worshipped.
Samantha “Sam” Black Crow’s character brings a refreshing modern perspective to the mythological and supernatural elements of the story. As a college student and hitchhiker, Sam embodies the contemporary American spirit of independence and exploration. Her witty and open-minded nature allows her to connect with Shadow personally, providing him with a brief respite from the chaos of his journey. Despite her relatively minor role, Sam’s presence underscores the novel’s exploration of belief and identity in a modern context.
Richie Hinzelmann
Role: Old nice man/Kobold in Lakeside
Key Info: Local Mr. Nice Guy, Secret identity, Serial killer.
A seemingly friendly small-town raconteur with a dark secret.
Background: Hinzelmann is an affable old man and the self-appointed guardian of the town of Lakeside. He is well-liked by the townspeople but has a sinister connection to the town’s prosperity.
Personality: Hinzelmann is friendly, jovial, and seemingly harmless. However, beneath his cheerful exterior lies a darker, more enigmatic side.
Development: Hinzelmann’s true nature and the source of Lakeside’s prosperity are eventually revealed, showing his underlying evil character.
Significance: Hinzelmann represents the old gods’ willingness to go to great lengths to maintain their power and relevance. His character explores themes of sacrifice and the hidden costs of prosperity.
Hinzelmann’s character is a fascinating study of contrasts. On the surface, he is a beloved local hero dedicated to the well-being of Lakeside and its inhabitants. His friendly and jovial demeanor endears him to the townspeople, making him a central figure in the community. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Hinzelmann harbors dark secrets: he is a serial killer who sacrifices children for the town’s prosperity. This revelation underscores the novel’s exploration of the moral ambiguity of the old gods and their struggle for relevance in a changing world
Chad Mulligan
Role: Sheriff of Lakeside
Key Info: Law enforcement, Friend to Shadow, Moral compass
The good-hearted and overworked police chief of Lakeside who befriends Shadow.
Background: Chad Mulligan is the sheriff of Lakeside and becomes a friend and ally to Shadow. He is dedicated to maintaining peace and order in the town.
Personality: Chad is honest, diligent, and compassionate. His sense of duty and justice drives his actions throughout the story.
Development: Chad’s interactions with Shadow and the unfolding events in Lakeside test his beliefs and dedication to his role as sheriff.
Significance: Chad represents the law and order of the human world, contrasting with the chaos and deception of the gods. He serves as a moral compass and a stabilizing force in the story.
Sheriff Chad Mulligan’s character provides a grounded and human perspective in the book. As the law enforcement officer of Lakeside, Chad embodies the principles of justice, duty, and compassion. The strange occurrences in Lakeside and the revelations about the town’s secrets test Chad’s ability and character. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to his role as sheriff, striving to uphold peace and order. Chad’s moral probity contrasts with the gods’ questionable morals.
Mr. Nancy (Anansi)
Role: Old God
Key Info: Trickster god, Storyteller, Ally to Mr. Wednesday
The witty and cunning African trickster god, who enjoys storytelling and mischief.
Background: Mr. Nancy is the incarnate of the African trickster god, Anansi. He is a charismatic and witty storyteller who allies with Mr. Wednesday in the war against the new gods.
Personality: Mr. Nancy is cunning, humorous, and charming. His playful nature and wisdom make him a captivating character.
Development: Mr. Nancy’s character remains consistent throughout the story, serving as a source of wisdom and comic relief.
Significance: Mr. Nancy represents storytelling’s enduring power and myths’ cultural significance.
Mr. Nancy’s role as a trickster god and storyteller underscores the novel’s exploration of narratives’ power and influence on belief and identity. Mr. Nancy’s cunning and wit make him a captivating presence, providing wisdom and humor in the story. His alliance with Mr. Wednesday and participation in the war against the new gods highlight the ongoing struggle between tradition and modernity. Mr. Nancy’s character emphasizes the cultural significance of myths, showing the power of stories in shaping human experience.
Mr. World (Loki)
Role: Antagonist
Key Info: Leader of the new gods, deceptive, manipulative
The enigmatic leader of the New Gods, who manipulates events behind the scenes.
Background: Mr. World is the leader of the new gods and the story’s main antagonist. He is later revealed to be the Norse god Loki in disguise, orchestrating the conflict for his gain in concert with Mr. Wednesday.
Personality: Mr. World is manipulative, deceptive, and power-hungry.
Development: Mr. World’s true identity and motives are gradually revealed, revealing his intricate plans and manipulative ways.
Significance: Mr. World represents the new gods’ ambition and the shifting nature of worship in the modern world. His character explores themes of power, deception, and the evolution of belief.
Mr. World, as the disguised Loki, serves as a central antagonist in the story, embodying the new gods’ ambition and the shifting landscape of belief. Mr. World’s true identity as Loki highlights the intricate and cunning nature of his plans, revealing the depth of his manipulation (he is, after all, the incarnate of Loki, the trickster in the Norse pantheon). Mr. World’s actions and motivations raise questions about the nature of belief and the lengths individuals and deities will go to achieve power and control.
Technical Boy
Role: New God
Key Info: Personification of technology, Arrogant, Opponent of the old gods
The arrogant and brash New God of technology represents the rise of modern innovations.
Background: Technical Boy personifies technology and the internet, representing the new gods’ modern and influential domain. He is arrogant and dismissive of the old gods.
Personality: Technical Boy is brash, arrogant, and impulsive. His disdain for the old gods and overconfidence make him a polarizing character.
Development: Technical Boy’s character faces challenges as the war between the old and new gods intensifies. His arrogance is tempered by the realization of the old gods’ resilience and deep schemes.
Significance: Technical Boy symbolizes the rise of technology and its impact on modern society. His character explores themes of innovation, obsolescence, and the clash between tradition and progress.
Technical Boy’s character represents the new gods’ embodiment of technology and innovation in “American Gods“. His brash and arrogant demeanor reflects the overconfidence and dismissiveness often associated with modern technological advancements. As a symbol of the internet and digital age, Technical Boy highlights the novel’s exploration of the impact of technology on society and the evolving nature of belief. His disdain for the old gods underscores the tension between tradition and progress, emphasizing the clash between ancient and modern deities.
Czernobog
Role: Old God
Key Info: Slavic god of darkness, Grim, Wielder of the hammer
A gruff and cynical Slavic god of darkness and death, with a penchant for violence.
Background: Czernobog is the dark embodiment of a Slavic god. He is a grim and formidable figure who wields a hammer and represents the darker aspects of the his dual nature.
Personality: Czernobog is grim, stubborn, and fatalistic. His dark and imposing nature makes him a daunting presence.
Development: Czernobog’s character undergoes minimal change. In the end, he is a gruff and grim character. He only allows himself a smidgen of grace for Shadow Moon and refrains from killing him as per their contract.
Significance: Czernobog represents the darker aspects of the divine and the inevitability of fate. His character explores themes of darkness, power, and the duality of the divine.
Czernobog, as the Slavic god of darkness, embodies the themes of darkness, power, and fate in “American Gods“. Bielebog, his alter ego, is his lighter side. His grim and fatalistic demeanor highlights the novel’s exploration of the darker aspects of the divine and the inevitability of fate. Czernobog’s imposing presence and stubborn nature make him a formidable figure, representing existence’s unyielding and often harsh realities. He worked as a cattle stunner in a slaughterhouse and used a sledgehammer to strike the animals down, a hint of his bloodthirsty side.
The Zorya Sisters
Role: Old Gods
Key Info: Slavic goddesses of the morning, evening, and midnight stars, Protective, Mysterious
Three sisters representing the morning, evening, and night stars, who offer protection and prophecy.
Background: The Zorya Sisters embody the Slavic goddesses of the morning, evening, and midnight stars. They are protective figures who watch over the world and aid Shadow in his journey.
Personality: The Zorya Sisters are protective, mysterious, and wise. Their different aspects represent the various phases of the day and their unique roles.
Development: The Zorya Sisters remain consistent in their roles, offering guidance and protection to Shadow.
Significance: The Zorya Sisters represent the cyclical nature of time and the protective aspects of the divine. Their characters explore themes of guardianship, wisdom, and the passage of time.
The Zorya Sisters, as the Slavic goddesses of the morning, evening, and midnight stars, bring themes of protection, wisdom, and the cyclical nature of time to “American Gods”. Their names are Zorya Utrennyaya (morning star), Zorya Polunochnaya (midnight star), and Zorya Vechernyaya (evening star), and their roles are guardians who watch over the world and aid Shadow highlight the novel’s exploration of the protective aspects of the divine. Zorya Polunochnaya gifts Shadow a silver coin, representing the moon, which protects him throughout the story.
Mr. Jacquel, Mr. Ibis, Horus, and Bast
Role: Old Gods
Key Info: Egyptian deities, Undertakers, Guardians of the afterlife.
Egyptian deities working in a funeral home represent the continuity and adaptation of old beliefs in modern America.
Background: Mr. Jacquel (Anubis) and Mr. Ibis (Thoth) work as undertakers in Cairo, Illinois. Horus, often in falcon form, and Bast, as a pet cat, are also part of the Egyptian pantheon in the story. These gods provide sanctuary and guidance to Shadow during critical moments.
Personality: Mr. Jacquel is solemn and compassionate, Mr. Ibis is wise and reflective, Horus is enigmatic and unpredictable, and Bast is protective and mystical. Together, they embody various aspects of Egyptian mythology and the care of the dead.
Development: Mr. Jacquel and Mr. Ibis remain steady in their roles, highlighting the importance of ritual and care for the deceased. Horus helps resurrect Shadow, while Bast heals him when he is injured.
Significance: These characters explore themes of death, the afterlife, resurrection, and the preservation of history and knowledge.
The Egyptian gods in “American Gods,” including Mr. Jacquel (Anubis), Mr. Ibis (Thoth), Horus, and Bast, represent themes related to death, the afterlife, and the preservation of knowledge. As undertakers, Mr. Jacquel and Mr. Ibis emphasize the importance of ritual and the compassionate care of the deceased. Their roles as guides to the afterlife highlight the novel’s exploration of mortality and the respectful treatment of the dead.
Horus, often in falcon form and considered mad, adds a layer of mystery and unpredictability. His role in resurrecting Shadow during his Wednesday vigil shows his connection to life and death. Maintaining her protective nature, Bast underscores the themes of guardianship and mystical power.
Other characters include Mad Sweeney, Bilquis, Wisakedjak, Media, The Intangibles, and Eostre.
Ebuka Igbokwe is the founder and former leader of a book club, the Liber Book Club, in 2016 and managed it for four years. Ebuka has also authored several children's books. He shares philosophical insights on his newsletter, Carefree Sketches and has published several short stories on a few literary blogs online.
