Reviews

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

kittycat2302's review against another edition

5.0

This was an exceptional book. Steeped in lore and mythology, with a rich history all around it. It took me ages to read, but more out of being busy and a desire to savor it than anything else. And, despite it's length, it really didn't feel all that long. Definitely recommend.

chime_detroit's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

While I, like almost every American who doesn't live in New York City, wishes that US immigrant stories of the turn of the century could take place more often in literally any other city, this was an incredibly moving and absorbing read from start to finish.

buttercupita's review against another edition

3.0

Got this from my husband at the holidays, and I was skeptical, but got engaged just a few pages in. The book is an interesting mix of fantasy/legend with a depiction of life in Jewish and Syrian sections of the New York tenements of the early 20th century. Since I saw "Her" while I was reading it, I began to wonder about an enduring theme of human masters and the superior forces we attempt to control (e.g. Genies! Avatars! Sulty OS systems!) Definitely recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a drop of fantasy, but do beware the melodramatic ending.

emilyb_chicago's review against another edition

4.0

I love the idea of golems and was very excited to read a novel with a golem as a prominent character, and more excited as I started the story and learned why/how this golem was created. However, the book requires a patience for slow character development that I don't normally have. I enjoyed the development of our main characters but kept wanting a bit more things to happen throughout. I found the ending unsatisfying. It felt rushed and unbelievable from all aspects for every character and generally left me a bit unsettled in my reflection of the book.

I would recommend this book to lovers of Golems and Jinnis for a unique view that still sticks to the mythology. But if you're not a lover of either of those worlds, this might not be the book for you.

Spoiler

The main characters seem sad and unfulfilled at the end and I found some of the character responses to be absolutely too generous/kind to be believable.

sealreads's review against another edition

Not a bad book, just very long and not quite interesting enough to keep me hooked.

scytale's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

soderick's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

sambam_42's review against another edition

4.0

This is a story about 2 mythical creatures who manage to find each other in the midst of 19th century New York City. It plays a lot with their origins, going back in time to the Jinni's past to flesh out details, and what they mean to each other. There were some parts that were slow and, to me personally, the tension didn't really make a big impression on me until the very end. There wasn't a big ebb and flow which I appreciate. Overall it was a great story and well written.

pancino's review against another edition

emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

michael5000's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.0