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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Fantasy friendship between two mythical creatures. Was attracted to the title because I had been to Czech Republic and heard about the famed Golem of Prague, so wanted to delve into a Golem story. Was not disappointed.
Looks terrible of good detail. Unfortunately, led to a blah ending.
This book took place in the 1900s and description and details were incredible. It combined the real world poverty with a sense of magic and mystery. The characters had great powers but had to keep them hidden. There was a feeling sadness, happiness and good verses evil.
I really liked this book. The story about a self-aware Golem, created to be a slave, and a Jinni who fears slavery more than death – is a small, personal scale fantasy set primarily in turn of the century New York. The story has romance and adventure but personal growth and self discovery are the primary narrative engines. The Golem’s master dies …
The story line gets a bit tiring. I think it could have been much more fast paced Interesting character types
Although it started slowly, I became involved in the struggle to fit in and yet be true to who you are, without damaging those around you.
I liked how original this story was. It was a bit tragic for my taste since it doesn’t really work out well but it was very entertaining and original.
Plotting and character development are well integrated, each driving the other. Cries out for a sequel.
Extremely intelligent,original and eminently readable
if available,I would rate it higher than five stars.
A different twist on fantasy
A gender blending of golem on the lower east side and Arabian nights moved to America. Ingenious plotting and sympathetic characters.
Well done.
Wildly original, beautiful plotting, startling and beautiful characters. It made me lose my place in the world for just a little while.
Interesting story and a clever idea to use these culturally important figures (golem and Jinny). Enjoyed the descriptions of New York and the jewish community. However, as the book progressed it became more sophmoric and simplistic.
This book had some of the most original characters I’ve run across in quite a long time. In addition, if you enjoy historical fiction, you’re in for a 19th century immigrant’s take on coming to America. It’s a fascinating read that shouldn’t be missed.
It is truly hard to classify this book. Is it a love story? Yes. Maybe. Or not. Is it history? Yes, in the sense that, say, Ragtime (E.L. Doctorow) is history (and I was thinking Ragtime the whole time I was reading this). Is it human? Maybe? Humanistic, certainly. Is it sweet? OH yeah! Will it make you tear up? Yes. Maybe. It did me. Mostly I …
Excellent. Among my keepers
One of the best books I have ever read. Love the way it was written, the story line and the characters. The story could have been written a hundred years ago or today. The morals will always be pertinent.
Truly unique.
I learned so much about Syrian and Jewish culture from this book, and about the legend of the Jenn. Excellent and engaging story.
Great writing, great characters, and an interesting insight into American history of immigrants….