Reviews

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

saranies's review

Go to review page

4.0

The Golem (a clay being from Jewish folklore) and the Jinni (fire spirit from Arabian folklore) end up in New York City with Polish and Syrian immigrants at the turn of the century (or so). For differing reasons, neither arrived with the human who would be their master. Both have to adjust to life in an America and to life with humans. They encounter each other and, despite their differences (golems are built to serve a master, jinnis are only trapped and enslaved), they find common ground.

I found the first 1/3 of the book fairly slow, but it picked up and I almost missed my subway stop while reading the second half. Wecker does an excellent job of tying up loose ends and wrapping up the story in a very satisfying and unexpected way. Through the main characters' interactions, Wecker also lets us think about larger questions of free will and who has a soul without being preachy.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction with a dash of mysticism, particularly people who are familiar with NYC.

iamastraythought's review

Go to review page

I can't get into it at all

geekwayne's review

Go to review page

5.0

'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker was a book I read last month for my book club. It is a historical fiction character study with some urban fantasy thrown in. It was a slower read, but I loved the world and the characters.

Chava is a golem, made for a man travelling to America. When he dies on the voyage shortly after bringing her to life, she is left without a master. She has also been created with some special qualities. Ahmad is a jinni trapped in a copper flask who is freed by a tinsmith in New York. Both Chava and Ahmad are taken in by sympathetic guides who understand what they are. Eventually they end up meeting and decide to use their abilities to fight crime.

Except I made that last part up. They do meet up though. They understand each other and develop a friendship. There are other characters that weave into the story, some tragic, some sinister. I'll leave you to discover them for yourselves.

It's a New York of 1899 and it takes place in two immigrant communities. I loved the setting and the two main characters. I'm glad I got to read this book.

digiacomoa's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

maeveogrady's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

xispo's review

Go to review page

4.0

Really enjoyed this book-it sort of peters out toward the end, but it's beautifully written - deftly created world brimming with interesting characters. Some good fantastical historical fiction.

cranial's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ln_ze's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

lizbizbritton's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging hopeful informative mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

abbeyhar103's review

Go to review page

5.0

One of the most inventive and magical books I’ve ever read.