Neil Gaiman: American Gods 10th Anniversary Interview

On the last Tuesday evening in June, we headed up to the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills (next to the Flynt building) for a literary event: An interview with author Neil Gaiman, conducted by comedian Patton Oswalt upon the 10th anniversary of Gaiman’s book American Gods.

I rarely go to book signings. In fact, I’ve gone to just two: Anne Rice (age 17) and Tom Robbins (age 25). I always fear there will be a giant line and it will not be worth the hassle. But, as this was a ticketed event about an awesome book by an awesome author hosted by an awesome comedian, well, it seemed too awesome to pass up. (You could actually pay more for a signed book, but I passed it up.)

I’ll only note a couple of things about the event: First, Neil Gaiman is such a rock star! Seriously, the girls AND the boys were squealing when he came out on stage, dressed typically in all black with his disheveled hair. His pairing with Amanda Palmer really does make sense.

Secondly, he finally answered a question I had always wondered about: Why the hell does an English goth-y fantasy fiction writer who is pretty much a rock star live in freakin’ Minnesota? Answer: Because when he moved there in the early ’90s, he could afford an Addam’s Family-style abode. Fair enough.

Lastly: the reading. Gaiman mentioned that in a previous San Francisco show, they read a section of American Gods specifically set in San Francisco. I had started to re-read the book a few weeks before the event (and still need to finish it). I immediately thought…no way are they going to read the Los Angeles part of American Gods, which is a very explicit, sexy and disturbing scene involving a goddess hooker. And, oh, yes, they read it–and read it with gusto! It was the most hilarious thing I’ve seen in a long time. Tears were shed. Oswalt played the shlubby john. Robin Williams’ beautiful daughter Zelda played the goddess, while Gaiman narrated. And Oswalt pantomiming being sucked into a goddess’s nether regions is not an image I’m likely to ever forget.

One final note: The Saban Theatre is gorgeous! My photos don’t do it justice. Here are some better photos.