New and old deities

American Gods is the second book I've read by the author Neil Gaiman. The first was: "Do not Panic", a biography of Douglas Adams, where he convinced me by a thorough research, an extraordinary observation skills and an amusing, good writing style..
Having published with American Gods (628 pages) his longest novel, I wanted to convince myself whether he possesses the same qualities in the field of fiction. Also, there was this book a pleasure-or-money-back guarantee from the publisher: "As good as Stephen King or your money back." So I could not go wrong ... :)
After a few pages I knew the money-back guarantee I will not need it. Gaiman has a wonderful writing style with mental leaps that Douglas Adams already are almost worthy. The story seems to satisfy the "usual" mystery fantasy genre of Gaiman:
Shadows woman comes two days before his release from prison in a car accident. A strange man Wednesday who knows everything about Shadow, offers him a job as his protector. Shadows situation forces him to accept the job. From then on happened loud quirky things. Gradually it becomes clear that Shadow has to have to deal with gods, demigods and mythical creatures. Something sinister is at hand. Only what? The remains hidden to the reader for a long time. Because Shadow acts apathetic. He is not interested in the backgrounds and contexts of action, in which it Wednesday brings over again. He does not even trying to find out who this strange, eerie Wednesday at all, but follow him unconditionally. Here, Shadow seems not even to wonder about the strange occurrences.
This drives the suspense in the middle part of the book to its knees. After an entertaining and original introduction, dröppelt the story to himself. Despite the sarcastic humor, Gaiman's unique ingenuity and masterful use of language in the individual episodes, the main story is protracted. The book is out in my opinion too long. For long stays Shadow (and thus the reader) clueless and can not see the connections.
Gaiman takes the time to create a new, surreal world in the midst of America. Here Gaiman leads us today our values ​​and our changing values ​​in an amusing way before our eyes.
In the last 100 pages it comes finally to the point. Finally the mystery story is in full swing and the threads come together. Now, if you begin to imagine the relationships and develop theories, even the voltage rises again to the highest level, which increases constantly until the surprising end.
Conclusion: Long stretches of the story is not particularly exciting, but Gaiman's imagination and writing style make some substantive weaknesses in the central part offset.