The Golem and the Jinni

Books | Fiction / Fantasy / Historical

(1.4K)

Helene Wecker

“An intoxicating fusion of fantasy and historical fiction. . . . Wecker’s storytelling skills dazzle." —Entertainment WeeklyA marvelous and absorbing debut novel about a chance meeting between two supernatural creatures in turn-of-the-century immigrant New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay by a disgraced rabbi knowledgeable in the ways of dark Kabbalistic magic. She serves as the wife to a Polish merchant who dies at sea on the voyage to America. As the ship arrives in New York in 1899, Chava is unmoored and adrift until a rabbi on the Lower East Side recognizes her for the creature she is and takes her in.Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire born in the ancient Syrian desert and trapped centuries ago in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard. Released by a Syrian tinsmith in a Manhattan shop, Ahmad appears in human form but is still not free. An iron band around his wrist binds him to the wizard and to the physical world.Chava and Ahmad meet accidentally and become friends and soul mates despite their opposing natures. But when the golem’s violent nature overtakes her one evening, their bond is challenged. An even more powerful threat will emerge, however, and bring Chava and Ahmad together again, challenging their very existence and forcing them to make a fateful choice.Compulsively readable, The Golem and the Jinni weaves strands of Yiddish and Middle Eastern literature, historical fiction and magical fable, in a wondrously inventive tale that is mesmerizing and unforgettable.

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More Details:

Author

Helene Wecker

Pages

496

Publisher

Harper Collins

Published Date

2013-04-23

ISBN

0062110853 9780062110855

Ratings

Google: 4.5

Community ReviewsSee all

"With out a doubt all the elements of an amazing tale soon to be a classic if it isn't already. Why the three stars? It just wasn't for me. Still I enjoyed myself. The story was strange and inviting but the writing was too straight forward. If felt more like I was getting the run down of what was happening instead of all the magic that went with it. A very strong character driven story and most of the time I couldn't see the plot. The atmosphere was dark and rich with culture. Also the historical setting played a big role and while I don't normally go for that type of genre I found myself intrigued all the same. I'm just disappointed because this had the potential to be an awe-inspiring book. To make you look through lenses unclouded and up at the sky in wonder. But it wasn't quite there. I wanted to feel my heart open up and my soul reach out. There were many povs which I liked but also didn't. It took away from the Golem and Jinni most of the time. But then again it was like getting to know a community and all the links they shared. At times it made the story monotonous but even so, unique and alluring. The ending left me unfulfilled with not enough push to reach for the second book. The atmosphere was so amazing though I could picture the world and fill the cold. I just wish it was enough. "Did you like the bird?""

Ashley

"Dnf. Reading this one became a chore. I only liked two characters and one of them died. Maybe I picked it up at the wrong time."

Azelyn Klein

"I love this book so much. The very first page hooked me in. The two beings from a fantasy world living in the "real" world appealed to me. I would call it atmospheric and the author's writing style was soothing to me. I couldn't put it down and I will read it again. I just started reading her follow-up book called "Hidden Palace" and so far it's just as good as the first book. "

Judy

"Lovely. Just lovely."

Ariel Ayres

"I loved this book. It was truly a fairy tale, but absolutely engaging for any adult. I listened to it as an audiobook and the narration was fantastic. I loved how well formed every single character was and how accurate the story seemed to portray the fairy tales and histories from different cultures."

Reading into the Void

"5/5 Very good and beautiful book."

"A golem meets a jinni. What else would one need to write? You only need to know that I find her to be a good writer. I can usually tell, in a couple of pages, if it is worth my time. As an avid reader, I can't waste time on mediocre writing or pulp fiction. ( Although I find Stephen King, to be a rare exception) It isn't always easy to find quality fantasy. The Lord of the Rings set a precedent that may never be matched. I wanted to pass this book on, because I found it by happenstance. Be very intereste to know your thoughts about this book. quality fantasy "

P W

Pamela Weinstein

"This book is like a slice of life - only its the life of a sweet and innocent golem surviving city life and an egotistical thrill seeking jinni cursed with a mortal life. It's one of those slow burns where not much happens, but I was 100% invested by chapter 2, and disappointed to find I had reached the end."