I hope this info might cheer you up a bit in your state. Polish magazine "Fantasy" named your novel "American Gods" (here "Amerykanscy bogowie") the book of the year 2002 on the Polish market. And the reason given was (translation mine): "It is fascinating and reads very well. Gaiman not only uses beautiful literary language, but it is also clear (contrary to most writers of sf and fantasy) that he has original ideas and conceptions, and is not driven to writing by gold rush. ;-)" (the smiley was in the original text).
Yours sincerely,
Anna
That's wonderful news. I hope I'll be in Poland for a few days on the April-May European tour.