American Gods tells the story of Shadow, an ex-convict who is hired by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday after he gets out of prison. As they crisscross the country, seeking out strange people for some unknown purpose, Shadow is thrust into other realities, is threatened by ancient gods, and realizes that he has been manipulated in more ways than one. The novel incorporates mythological traditions from many different cultures and explores the themes of loyalty, trickery, tradition, and sacrifice.