just read the short story--absolutely spellbinding--can't wait for Anansi Boys to arrive. Just want some clarification/thoughts for any who have read it

1) who is Mr. Alice?
2) does Shadow's battle with the monster have anything to do with the Tuaatha de Danaan (sp) driving the old Viking gods from the land, similar to the titanomachy of Greek legend?
3)are the wealthy socialites at the party descendants of the Sean Bean clan? (sorry, the guy's real name slipped my mind, but it is similar to the name of a certain LOTR co-star)
4) the doctor seems entwined in the mystery; all the business with taking pictures of dead children, and I figure he will show up later--but how?

maybe I am just too intrigued and should step back until Anansi Boys is released, but it really is a great teaser and opens up more questions while it answers some. Any ideas?

It's been too long since I've read the story to address questions 1,3 and 4, but as for

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2) does Shadow's battle with the monster have anything to do with the Tuaatha de Danaan (sp) driving the old Viking gods from the land, similar to the titanomachy of Greek legend?

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the fight between shadow and the monster is a re-enactment of the fight between Beowulf and Grendel. The monster is Grendel, actually.

Man, that book is so long that I forgot half the stuff that happened by the end. So, I HAVE to ask: Where did Shadow fight a monster?

he fought it in the courtyard of the masnion or wahtever. on the final night of the party

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Man, that book is so long that I forgot half the stuff that happened by the end. So, I HAVE to ask: Where did Shadow fight a monster?

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The story referred to in this thread is a short story sequel of American Gods. You can find it in the anthology Legends II.

Thanx

I've got to agree with iridian oracle. I just read "Monarch of the Glen", and it made me want more Shadow as quickly as possible. I hope he gets a fair bit of attention in 'Nancy Boys.

It's interesting the way Wednesday seems to be developing as a kind of a "ghost of Obi Wan Kenobi" character, with a little cameo to impart insight from afar.

I thought the most intruiging line in the story was when he said to Shadow "If they think you're a hero, they're wrong. After you die, you don't get to be Beowulf, or Perseus, or Rama anymore. Whole different set of rules."

[2) does Shadow's battle with the monster have anything to do with the Tuaatha de Danaan (sp) driving the old Viking gods from the land, similar to the titanomachy of Greek legend?

Oooooh sorry for being really picky, but the arrival of the Tuathe De Dannan pre-dates the arrival of the Vikings by a really long period of time (time in myth is symbolic and all that entails). The Tuathe de drove off the Formorians and no one is really sure who they are but they represent forces of darkness and chaos (hence their association with the sea) and the Tuathe de represent light and all the fine things in life (though they have their dark side too) and the battle of the 2 is a tale of old versus new, (inhabitants of Ireland, ideas, who knows?).

Right, I an taking off my anal-myth-knowledge-girl hat now (it is quite a hat, as you might imagine).

Mr. Alice is a Character from the short story, Keepsakes and Treasures, he is one of the ten richest men on earth.

The Hatchet Faced Mr. Smith is the narrator.

It was collected in Fragile Things.

It's a pretty decent story, but r-rated.

I loved Monarch of the Glen! It was so good and made me want more Shadow, immediately as well.
And I love that someone else is an anal mythology girl, although I am impressed by your knowledge! I would not do my Celtic Studies prof proud, these days. It makes me sad that information is leaking out me and drifting away! I blame it on the middle school students I teach.