Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Christianity

Gaiman didn't delve into Christianity almost at all — I think Shadow quoted from the Beatitudes, and that was it. Did you perceive this as an oversight or a chickening-out of one of America's largest godly influences, old and new? Or does Jesus go beyond a thoughtform?
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6 comments:

Erin said...

I had the same thought as I read the book. I reasoned that since the book was about old gods who'd been forgotten, Jesus was sort of irrelevant. But still, you'd think he would make an appearance.

The "preferred text" included a bonus chapter at the end where Shadow meets Jesus during his dreaming/hallucinating on the tree. Gaiman says he debated a long time about whether to include it in the actual book. After reading it, I was sort of glad he didn't. There were some clever/insightful lines from Jesus, but it didn't feel like it fit well in the context of the book.

I did like the line from Jaquel or Ibis, I can't remember which, about how Jesus does very well in America but nobody would give him a ride in Afghanistan.

11:12 AM, September 05, 2013
cl said...

Arrrgh. See, I wish I had bought the same edition. That's an enormous change to the story, in my opinion.

11:17 AM, September 05, 2013
cl said...

Yes, that Afghanistan line made me chuckle.

11:17 AM, September 05, 2013
kc said...

The whole hanging on the tree thing was pretty Jesuslike and being the son of the God and all and being "prepared" by the women at the foot of the "cross." But yeah, it didn't really feel Christian somehow. Seems like he might have done more with the angry Old Testament God who seems to have more in common with the crusty old Odins and Thors of this world. I like that Shadow journeyed to Iceland! — credible home of so many gods and elves and trolls and whatnot.

9:39 PM, September 05, 2013
cl said...

Oh, and risen from the dead. I forgot about that.

4:46 PM, September 11, 2013
Erin said...

Yes, the resurrection! Must admit I didn't know anything about Eostre (although I knew Christians had appropriated the pagan festival). She was a fun and ingenious addition to the story, I thought.

12:01 PM, September 17, 2013

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