Fantasy Fiction

Lesson 3: Mythic and Mythopoeic Fantasy

American Gods and Other Mythic Books of Neil Gaiman

America has many myths of its own. Neil Gaiman explores myth-making in the technological United stares of today. He explores the conflicts between old gods and new through the eyes of his character, Shadow, who is on the hero’s journey too. American Gods is a complex story of Mythic Fantasy.

The story begins when Shadow is released from prison after the death of his wife. He meets an enigmatic one-eyed man on the way home and goes to work for him. This begins his hero’s journey as he is drawn into a conflict between gods. With the United States being a nation founded by immigrants, they brought the old gods like Odin, Anubis, Thoth, etc. with them. New gods of technology like the media goddess spring up. The two groups are in a struggle for supremacy.

Gaiman tells the story in a realistic style. He vividly portrays life in the United States, blending the mythic elements in a seamless fashion. His characters, whether humans or gods, have qualities like real people. He gives an honest portrayal of life in America that hits home and is memorable.

American Gods is an excellent example of Mythic Fantasy. Shadow’s journey through darkness brings the world to life. The book is full of vivid images and inner truths that must be thought about for a long time. It won the Hugo Award for 2002.

Other Mythic Books by Neil Gaiman:

Before American Gods, Mr. Gaiman started his first explorations of mythic themes with a comic book series called Sandman. It was extremely popular. The series followed the story of Dream, one of the seven Endless from who all myths and dreams come originate. This was a daring series that incorporated many myths and had a dark edge. Many of the characters were memorable, especially dream.

Next, came the book called Neverwhere in which Mr. Gaiman developed the possible mythology of a highly urban society. The main character is an average man from London who stops to help a bleeding woman called Door on the street. He discovers he has become invisible in the real world and drawn into an underground, shadowy world under London. There, he must travel a dangerous quest to find himself and return to the real world. Mr. Gaiman creates an urban myth that shows people the darker side of mythic humanity.

The author writes Mythic Fantasy for children and young adults too, making mythic themes accessible to them. Stardust has the theme of the quest for love as its main focus. A young man in love, Tristan, promises to get his lover her wish, which is a star. He travels into the world of fairy on his quest and discovers other things about life. Coraline is a book that explores darker mythic themes. This is the story of a girl who discovers a doorway in her apartment to a mirror type world. She meets her other world parents there. When Coraline returns to our world, she discovers her real parents have disappeared. She must find a way to save her parents and three other lost souls or lose them forever. The dark sometimes horror driven story demonstrates the author’s ability to make myth come alive.

Neil Gaiman has become a master storyteller of Mythic Fantasy. From his first graphic comic books to his most recent novel, Mr. Gaiman has furthered the sub-genre for readers to explore.

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