Jessica Howes

UWRT
Brown
1 December 2015
Annotated Bibliography for American Gods:

McDevitt, April. "Ancient Egypt: The Mythology." Egyptian Myths. N.p., 17 Aug. 2014.
Web. 1 Dec. 2015. <http://www.egyptianmyths.net/anubis.htm#up>.
McDevitt explains the history and importance of the mythological figure Anubis. The job

as well as the appearance of Anubis is also detailed. Anubis has the head of a jackal and body
of a human, and is the god of embalming. He was important to keep jackals and decay away
from the dead bodies, and had control over whether death was eternal or not for a specific
person.
This page relates to the character Mr. Jacquel, who is the part of Anubis. The chosen
name is obviously ironic, as McDevitt sheds light on the fact that Anubis has the head of a
jackal. By reading this background information, the reader can better understand the
character in the novel. Information is reliable and fact checked, as well as relevant to history
and the novel.
Barnett, David. "A Book for the Beach: American Gods by Neil Gaiman." The Guardian.
N.p., 29 July 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/jul/29/book-beach-american-godsneil-gaiman>.
This source is a book review of American Gods, and goes in detail giving a brief
summary of the book followed by an opinion. Barnett speaks in a positive manner about the

book, and offers up explanations to possibly confusing parts of the book. While this is not a
lengthy review, it is still a valid source due to the information that the article contains and the
way it is written. Barnett delivers his praise in a roundabout way, and even makes
comparisons within Gaimans other works.
This source is relevant to the novel because it is about the novel, and offers a review
perhaps that differs from others. Even a person that has not read American Gods will get the
jist of the book, without spoiling any major events. The source is credible when one looks at
where it was posted; the Guardian is a reliable source for accurate information.
Gaiman, Neil. "Neil Gaiman: Why Our Future Depends on." (n.d.): n. pag. The Guardian.
15 Oct. 2013. Web. 1 Dec. 2015. <http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/15/neilgaiman-future-libraries-reading-daydreaming>.
This source quotes a speech given by the author of American Gods, Neil Gaiman. Article
states I'm going to suggest that reading fiction, that reading for pleasure, is one of the most
important things one can do. I'm going to make an impassioned plea for people to understand
what libraries and librarians are, and to preserve both of these things. The author of this
article relays Gaimans speech entailing why it is important to read books. The future of the
world depends on literate people, and literacy is something not all people hold important
today.
This article is relevant in finding out more information on Neil Gaiman. He is involved in
many organizations, and the one in this article deals with teaching children to read for
pleasure and to understand deeper meanings. The causes supported by the author are
important to understand his works. It also serves to show that an author does more for society
than just write, authors help shape the future in positive ways, as Gaiman does.

Hill, Mark. "Neil Gaiman's American Gods: An Outsider's Critique of American

Culture." Scholar Works. University of New Orleans, 10 Aug. 2005. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
<http://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1315&context=td>.
Hill critiques American Gods saying While spiritedness can be found in contemporary

American society, Gaiman has aligned it only with characters of the past. Hill argues aspects
of Gaimans novel that are outright wrong. Time periods do not line up as well as some
character mistakes.
This source is reliable because it is a scholarly article, written from opinion and fact
references. Source is relevant to the novel, it is important to view praise as well as critique of
a novel. Important aspects are brought to light, and a reader can properly form an opinion or
enhance theirs of a novel.
Robinson, Tasha. "Neil Gaiman: American Gods." AV Club. N.p., 19 Apr. 2002. Web. 1
Dec. 2015. <http://www.avclub.com/review/neil-gaiman-iamerican-godsi-6020>.
Robinson offers yet another review and perspective of American Gods. This review offers a
very brief summary and concluding remarks as to the opinion on the novel. Robinson is in
favor of this novel saying Like most road-trip novels, American Gods can be disjointed and
episodic, but, like the best of them, it's still worth the trip.
Source is relevant on the basis of viewing all of the listed reviews and forming an overall
opinion, or to have these reviews in mind when beginning the novel oneself. Robinson also
relates aspects of the work to other famous works, to give a better comparison for the reader.
This source is credible on the grounds that this is merely a book review, and is therefore
opinionated. However, website is legitimate and Robinson brings up good points to consider.