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A review by incrediblefran
The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adore this book. Turn-of-the-century New York, particularly the Jewish and Syrian communities, are beautifully brought to life here. Wecker is an elegant writer, her prose full of atmosphere and sensory detail without ever being overwritten. Both main characters are so vivid, with compelling immigrant narratives that touch on themes of loneliness, personhood, connection, identity.
I first read it in 2016 and even four years later, before I picked it up for a re-read, I still had some extremely vivid sense memories of this book: the snow melting against Ahmad's skin; his memories of the heat and space of his desert home; the small figurines he crafts from metal. Chava in particular stayed with me: her loneliness sitting in her little boarding house room, waiting for the day to start, trying to fit into this new life while not really fitting in; working at the bakery, and her quiet happiness at learning something new and working with her hands and being brought into that warmth. There were so many perfect little details.
The Golem and the Djinni is a deftly woven book, quiet and warm and thoughtful that grows into something extremely lovely. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out (hopefully next year).
I first read it in 2016 and even four years later, before I picked it up for a re-read, I still had some extremely vivid sense memories of this book: the snow melting against Ahmad's skin; his memories of the heat and space of his desert home; the small figurines he crafts from metal. Chava in particular stayed with me: her loneliness sitting in her little boarding house room, waiting for the day to start, trying to fit into this new life while not really fitting in; working at the bakery, and her quiet happiness at learning something new and working with her hands and being brought into that warmth. There were so many perfect little details.
The Golem and the Djinni is a deftly woven book, quiet and warm and thoughtful that grows into something extremely lovely. I cannot wait for the sequel to come out (hopefully next year).