In The Golem and the Jinni, a chance meeting between mythical beings takes readers on a dazzling journey through cultures in turn-of-the-century New York.
Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life to by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic and dies at sea on the voyage from Poland. Chava is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York harbor in 1899.
… York harbor in 1899.
Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire born in the ancient Syrian desert, trapped in an old copper flask, and released in New York City, though still not entirely free
Ahmad and Chava become unlikely friends and soul mates with a mystical connection. Marvelous and compulsively readable, Helene Wecker’s debut novel The Golem and the Jinni weaves strands of Yiddish and Middle Eastern literature, historical fiction and magical fable, into a wondrously inventive and unforgettable tale.
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I enjoyed the story, though it did start off a little slow. Interesting characters, twists, and turns.
One of those books you think about long after it is finished.
Great idea but slow and plodding. Could have done with half the pages and more action and poetry. A poor look at society.
story line less than I expected, but a good yarn nonetheless
Wanted the next story, what happens next?
Loved this book! Never predictable because of the original story line and unique cast of characters. Some romance, some action and intrigue, a rich story about non-humans in a human world who begin to experience human emotions.
Beautiful writing. Good storytelling. A mystery. A love story. Interesting characters- some likable, some irredeemable. It’s one of my favorite books to recommend.
This is one of my favorite books. I only have a few books I consistently recommend to people and this is one of them. I keep waiting for another book by the author but so far no luck. It’s a great story and the writing is terrific.
I like how informativ the author was with Jewish linguistics.
Long and boring. I couldn’t get past page 150 and the main characters hadn’t even met yet. Not my type of book, which is disappointing because it was historical fiction that focused on a culture and history I’ve never read much about before. Was hoping it was going to be a magical as others have claimed it is.
I wish she would write another book; I’d buy it in a heart beat. Unique story with elements of history.
Wildly imaginative, with beautiful writing, Underpinnings of Arabic and Jewish folklore, with fantastic characters. It subtly and inexorably pulls you in … I’ve never read anything like it.
Loved this book. Was very unusual but a lot of fun
The Golem and the Jinni is a great first novel by Helene Wecker. Set in New York City in the early 1900s, the novel combines the mythology of both the Jewish and Arabian worlds with the real world of recent immigrants to the United States. Wecker has done her research on historical New York and the immigrant cultures portrayed. The book took seven …
This is such a terrific book. Just treat yourself and read it.
I got lost in the culture and time period. New York, magic, friendship and humanity- what else do you need? It was a beautiful escape into something brand new and I highly recommend it.
Fascinating, original fantasy firmly anchored in a realistic 19th-century world. Put another way: an absorbing tale of immigrant life in 1899 New York City, except the immigrants are supernatural creatures, the titular golem and jinni. Beautiful and sparkling and not to be missed.
Some novels read fast. Non-stop page turning action that grabs your imagination and doesn’t let go until you finish. Other novels read slowly like eating a well-cooked meal at your favorite restaurant. You take the time to eat your meal with a glass of the restaurant’s best wine. Well, The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker was like the …
This is an odd book. Some fantasy, but not of the happy world kind. It is hard to place oneself in the authors shoes. How did this story come to be? If you like off the beaten path stuff, go for it.
Really enjoyed this fantastical book. What if?!?