I wrote earlier about how impressed I was with Neil Gaiman. American Gods (winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards) is the first traditional novel I’ve read by him. What impressed me? Not the fantasy elements, nor the universe created. No – it was the American Midwest: Wisconsin and Illinois. I have rarely read a non-native (read East or West Coast) novelist who can adequately handle the laid-back attitude of my home region. I have never read a non-American author handling Midwestern characters adequately (yes, I’m looking at you! Mr. Smarty-Pants Vladimir Nabokov – I’m looking at you! Mr. Smarty-Pants Economist). It probably helps that Gaiman lives in Minnesota – but, dang!, he has the character and cadence completely down pat.
Very impressed.