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Neil Gaiman’s American Gods absolutely *free.
When Neil Gaiman announced his publisher would release one of his novels for free online for an entire month, and that readers could vote on their book of choice, it didn’t really surprise me that American Gods led the pack. Unless Mr. Gaiman whips up another sprawling masterpiece in the years to come, I’d venture to say it’s his magnum opus.
Well, as far as novels are concerned. I’ve never read Sandman, though I want to, and if the recommendations of friends hold any merit, then I’m totally missing out.
In any case, the generous deities at HarperCollins have bestowed upon the internet a copy of American Gods, absolutely free, in all its Adobe Flash glory, provided you actually want to read all 624 pages from your browser.
On one hand, I’m very pleased. I loved American Gods. It was given to me as a gift from a friend who initially bought it for himself and couldn’t stand it. I was in the process of graduating and moving at the time, so it took me a couple of months to get through it, but it was worth every minute, and even now it sits high on my list of all-time favorites.
On the other hand, it saddens me to see a great novel practically neutered in its presentation to potential new readers in such a horrid manner.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about loving on Mr. Gaiman, and I’m all about loving on American Gods, but honestly, HarperCollins, what makes you think this is effective? Yeah, it exposes new readers to Neil’s work; yes, it allows readers to capitalize on the success of the internet and pass along their favorite novel to others; and yes, it’s the keyword of our time, free. Why, then, have you locked it in a browser? Why do this, when anyone who’s modestly resourceful would be able to track down the real thing for free, download it, read at their leisure on their e-book reader, and print it out and wallpaper their room with it if they wanted? It’s like you stepped up to the deep end of the big Publishing 2.0 pool, dipped your foot in and decided you’d had enough swimming for one day.
I guess I’m frustrated because they’ve defeated their own purpose. Yes, I know the whole thing was a result of Neil’s 7th anniversary of blogging, and that’s wonderful (seriously, writing a million words over a 7 year period is amazing), but let’s face facts: at its core, it’s another way of getting his work out there. Promotion, some might call it. Free promotion, say others. But by barring the ability for folks to download it, the audience of potential readers is significantly lessened. Consider how many people spend their working lives sitting at a computer screen (or the folks out there who hate using computers for more than sending e-mail and looking at photos on Flikr or videos on Youtube). Asking them to spend even more time sitting at their computer to read a 624 page novel is rather dim.
Of course, you might say this was all part of their plan. That, under the guise of “free,” they are, in fact, expecting folks to throw up their hands in frustration and rush out to buy the physical book. I’d say this is likely. And that’s just fine – more copies sold equals a slightly bigger royalty check (or cheque, as he’d say) for Neil. But wouldn’t that be just as likely if folks were able to take the book’s digital incarnation along for the ride, wherever they may go? I’m sure all those Kindle owners are itching to read a good book right now, and American Gods would be a perfect match. Heck, you could have a “buy one, get one free” special deal on Amazon – buy the Kindle version of selected Neil Gaiman novels and get American Gods absolutely free, but for this month only! Just a thought.
My point is, it’s already out there. Why limit how people can read it? Doing so just alienates potential readers. Honestly, HarperCollins, if you’ve come this far, take a breath and do a fucking cannonball into the pool. You look like a goof standing on the edge, seemingly embarrassed and unsure of yourself.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, concludes my Thursday night rant. I’d love to hear your thoughts, whether you agree with me or wish to refute my argument and call me an idiot. In any case, you can view American Gods here.
I personally recommend you go out and support an amazing author by purchasing a copy of the book. It’s a damn fine one, too.
TK
Comments
7 Responses to “Neil Gaiman’s American Gods absolutely *free.”
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That’s really cool. Of course, it’s completely pointless for me. The boyfriend has owned a nice hardbound copy of this novel for many years. I’ve never read it. I’ve read almost all the Sandman material, including the Death series, and I’ve read quite a lot of Gaiman’s other works besides.
I’m going to be honest. American Gods was one of the worst novels I have ever read.
Neil Gaiman, another author that I need to look up. Honestly there are too many writers out there and so little time. Well I just gotta buy the book when I get a chance then. Thanks Todd for giving me another author to look into.
Matthew
I just read ‘Neverwhere’ a short while ago and loved it, so I think ‘American Gods’ might just be the next thing I pickup. It may be hypocritical, as someone who writes for internet delivery, but I don’t read much at all online, when I’m reading, I’m doing so from a bound stack of paper in a chair as far from the computer as I can get. Does having stories available online make me more interested in them? Only insofar as their being online generates a buzz and brings them to my attention, but it’s the recommendation of people who’s tastes I respect that drives me to buy the book, I’ll likely never read a single page of it online, though I might read the first chapter standing in the bookstore before I lay my money down.
Actually, there are some people who are able to read reams and reams of things online–just look at fan fiction. Never available in anything other than online text, it is ridiculously popular on just about every site that hosts it. To my mind, HC are catering to a market that is more and more ‘connected’ every day, the teenage market. I read a hardcopy of American Gods in my teens and I loved every bit of it, so why shouldn’t other teenagers, who have ‘evolved’ to be able to stomach online text, do the same with?
I agree, it sucks, they should provide the damn .pdf because it would be a good step in the right direction as far as ‘open source’ publishing goes. Eh, like you said, there’s all kinds of other ways to get it in a form that’s useful, but I suppose we’ll have to wait for a company with the balls and the vision to take the bigger step.
I didn’t like American Gods as much as the rest of the world seemed to. It felt a bit too gimmicky and haphazard. But I’ve been told he nails his style best in Anansi Boys - which is sitting on my bookshelf, in line to be read.
Your opinion?
I’m actually reading American Gods right now - maybe 200 pages in - and I’m loving it.