From the Bookshelf of Ask Helene Wecker - Tuesday, January 14th…
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What Members Thought
Before I read The Golem and the Jinni I saw an interview with the author, Helene Wecker. I learned that she is of Jewish descent and married an Arab from Syria. Wecker has been to Syria and has an affection for the culture. It was interesting to see that her novel reflects her marriage's melange of backgrounds. We are often told that America is a melting pot, but it would be a pretty boring place if the unique histories and experiences of immigrants just melted away instead of retaining the flav
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The Golem and the Jinni reminds me of a Dan Brown book in that no element is particularly compelling, but the book is a lot of fun. I found the characters too one dimensional and the plot slow and, ultimately, unsatisfying. Nevertheless, Wecker's novel possesses a je ne sais quoi that always made me look forward to reading it. That is a lot more than I can say for most books.
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I absolutely loved this book and cannot recommend it enough to friends who like fantasy that's a bit more literary. If I describe the story to you, it probably won't interest you all that much (because I wasn't completely intrigued until I kept reading about it and my friend Kay Perigo heard the author read). All I can tell you is, once I finished it, I was kind of bereft.
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A Golem and a Jinni in New York in the 1890's? How does one think of these things to write about? Two mythical creatures made so endearing to us as Chava & Ahmad going through there daring adventures through old NY. It's a book you can't miss!
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I finally put up my review after debating how to write it here it is:
The Golem and the Jinni
By Helene Wecker
Complimentary copy by Harper Collins
Wow!!! I am blown away by this amazing novel. I can't believe this her debut!!!!
I can't stop RAVING about this after reading. I know I will not be able to read anything for weeks after this. Nothing will compare.....
The Golem and the Jinni, is one post I want to do justice. This is the best book I have read in years. I said that last year about Forgotten ...more
The Golem and the Jinni
By Helene Wecker
Complimentary copy by Harper Collins
Wow!!! I am blown away by this amazing novel. I can't believe this her debut!!!!
I can't stop RAVING about this after reading. I know I will not be able to read anything for weeks after this. Nothing will compare.....
The Golem and the Jinni, is one post I want to do justice. This is the best book I have read in years. I said that last year about Forgotten ...more
What a wondrous and mystical tale! Set in 1899 in New York, sparks fly when the worlds of two mythological creatures collide, that of a golem, a woman built of clay, and a fire djinni.
The plot is an intriguing and intricate one. I did have to retrace my steps at times but as I read further into the book, it all became clearer and clearer. I found myself immersed in these creatures lives and it was very much a page turner for me. For those who enjoy historical fiction, this should appeal to them ...more
The plot is an intriguing and intricate one. I did have to retrace my steps at times but as I read further into the book, it all became clearer and clearer. I found myself immersed in these creatures lives and it was very much a page turner for me. For those who enjoy historical fiction, this should appeal to them ...more
A beautiful book and a beautiful told story. I would shelf this next to Kostova's Historian on my "I Never Want to Forget This" shelf. I think a lot of people will pass this one by based solely on the name. They lose. It's as classy as can be - magical even.
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I very much enjoyed this. The plot development and execution was perfect, balancing foreshadowing and unpredictability.
An Amazon Best Book of the Month, April 2013: Imaginative and meticulously researched, this enchanting debut novel from Helene Wecker is, in reality, an historical fiction. Set primarily in turn-of-the-century Manhattan, it deliberately details the immigrant experience--the wonders and hardships of being in a new country and the discoveries, triumphs, and failures that follow--while bringing the city itself to life with such passion that New York of yore seems like a magical land. Beyond reality
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Brilliant first novel in my favorite genre: magical realism. Fantastic historical fiction, too -- set in turn of the century New York City, full of immigrant cultures. One can hear a different language every few blocks. The title characters are mythical creatures from distinctly different cultures. They possess extremely different natures, but they're each damaged. The Golem was made to be an immigrant's bride. He woke her on the ship en route to America, only to die moments later. She's unmoore
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This was a surprisingly good read. I like how the story was able to go into the side characters just as well as the main ones. The character development and thought that went into it was amazing. I heard that this is the author's first book as well! I have to read more.
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I loved every minute of this masterfully crafted tale! Not only is it an absorbing historical novel, but also an allegory of human nature. I was a bit skeptical about enjoying a novel with mythical creatures as the main characters, but they were well drawn and just a few pages in, they became real to me. I will be thinking about the themes in this book for a long time to come.
Best fantasy novel I have ever read!
Apr 29, 2013
Ned Hayes
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
unnatural-fantasy-horror
Aug 08, 2013
James Noll
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
latest-novel-research
