The Golem and the Jinni - Helene Wecker

The Golem and the Jinni

By Helene Wecker

  • Release Date: 2013-04-23
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 687 Ratings
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Description

“An intoxicating fusion of fantasy and historical fiction. . . . Wecker’s storytelling skills dazzle." —Entertainment Weekly

A marvelous and absorbing debut historical fantasy 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—unlikely souls connected 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.

Reviews

  • Absolutely incredible storytelling

    5
    By Eleazar Hernandez
    The Golem and the Jinni is Helene Wecker’s debut novel that deserves so much more hype than I’ve seen it receive. It’s not only beautifully written, it’s a rare, slow-burn story that uses myth to explore deeply human topics. The story focuses on two characters: Chava, a golem made of clay. She is without a master but created to obey. She’s trying to mimic human behavior without fully understanding it. Ahmad, a jinni made of fire, born free. He is jaded, volatile, but strangely sympathetic. Their paths eventually cross and their bond becomes the quiet center of the book. Chava and Ahmad try their best to pass as human in 1890s New York, a city already dealing with problems of displacement, faith, and constant reinvention that occurred during that period. This isn’t a romance. It’s an exploration of identity, belief, freedom, and the ache of trying to simply belong in the world. The writing leans more toward fairy tale than historical fiction (although I loved the accurate references to places in the City), but that dreamlike tone ends up suiting the story. Of course, there’s a plot with a villain in the background, but it was the moments of introspection that hit hardest. Watching these them struggle with being the “other” was captivating. The book is not fast-paced. It’s not action-packed. But it is very thoughtful and really kept be engaged throughout. Verdict: This is a slow, magical, moving story that blends folklore and history to ask: what does it mean to be human?

  • The Golem and the Jinni

    5
    By PalatableDinner
    This book is a unique and intellectually stimulating work of art. Like blocking in the color toward the start of a painting, it takes a while to see where the story is going. But once it begins taking shape, the vast amount of thought the author put into narrative decisions and how they relate to one another becomes apparent. A significant amount of research was done to ensure the respectful portrayal of the world and communities included, though a trace few period dress nitpicks inevitably made it through. Ahmad and Chava’s relationship is beautifully understated, and their lives juxtaposed with society and humans like Saleh make for subtle commentary on the more current state of our world.

  • Engrossing tale

    5
    By 53skuzy
    Interesting characters, plot moved along by mystical creatures brought into life in turn of century NYC.

  • A fantastic tale for a pandemic

    5
    By DB1944
    I was hooked right from the beginning and couldn’t put this book down until the very last word. The characters were delightfully drawn and interwoven to make this fantasy seem all so real.

  • One of the best books I ever read

    5
    By Random Poet
    (Slight spoilers) Of nearly all the books I’ve read, The Golem and the Jinni was the most addictive. A compelling plot made magical by the mythology of Middle Eastern and Jewish folklore, Helen Wecker weaved a fictional story that was impossible to put down. Each character, no matter how minute, was interesting and loveable. The cultures involved were portrayed accurately and even exquisitely. The semi romantic friendship between Chava and Ahmed was a joy to see develop, and reading the ending brought tears to my eyes. I was so depressed when I’d finished it, because I knew it would be hard to find another book I’d enjoyed so much. This is a great book for someone who is just started out reading, or just anyone who has a whole day or 2 to sit down somewhere cozy and get sucked into another world.

  • A fascinating read

    4
    By Merilalla
    This was a very entertaining a d thought provocative book. Told in a way reminiscent of A 1001 Arabian Nights at points, while delving nin lesser known Jewish dark arts. The authors attention to detail is exquisite, if at times a bit winded.The characters are lively, colorful and captivating, and she manages to infuse such realism into her fantastical creatures that the reader cant help but cheer them on and wish fora happy ending to their severely thwarted lives.i hope this ois the first of many more great reads from this very talented writer.

  • A book for all times

    5
    By Gramcy
    This story could have been written for the world today or hundreds of years ago. The story of the Jinni and the Golem is a story of courage, of being different and overcoming obstacles in everday life. Truly one of my favorite books.

  • Great Storytelling

    4
    By Toni FGMAMTC
    This is amazing writing. I have never read a story quite like it. It brings so much in to question, beliefs, faiths, religions, etc. It takes place during a time when people had to go between Europe and America by ship and women didn't go around unchaperoned. It mostly has a realistic feel with a few big exceptions. The two main characters aren't human. There are also magicians and such. It's pretty low on the low fantasy scale, but at the same time those fantastical elements are what the whole plot is about.

  • Got me through a difficult time.

    5
    By JDoak(yourmom)
    Started a new job a little over a year ago and it was very stressful for me and I wasn't good at it yet. This book was my one of few escapes. Good story, liked all the culture. Highly recommend.

  • Good but slow in parts

    4
    By Daviteo
    Solid prose and an interesting concept that slows for the middle third of the book to the point where I felt I was just slogging through it. Still recommended though.

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