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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This is a book crying out for a sequel. It is the most interesting meeting of two distinctly intriguing personalities I have ever read. I would love to see what happens as the story caries forward.
The Golem and the Jinni raises so many interesting questions, the most central of which - What is a perfect match? Chava (the golem) and Ahmad (the jinni) are such compelling characters, and their interaction with one another is full of fascinating conflict and heart-warming vulnerabilities. Their per ...more
The Golem and the Jinni raises so many interesting questions, the most central of which - What is a perfect match? Chava (the golem) and Ahmad (the jinni) are such compelling characters, and their interaction with one another is full of fascinating conflict and heart-warming vulnerabilities. Their per ...more
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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Jul 04, 2013
Alexandra
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
jewish-literature,
favorites-of-all-time
A marvelous book, beautifully written and imagined. The tale of how a golem - who looks like any other woman - and a jinni, who looks like any other man - end up in NYC in 1889 and eventually meet is truly original. The book is written from several points of view, all of which meld together. Each character is well defined, and the character development is well done. I also enjoyed the descriptions of 1889 NYC and the people who inhabited it. I loved this book and highly recommend it! Can't wait
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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
Jun 20, 2013
James (JD) Dittes
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
american-history-the-cool-bits,
2013
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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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
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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Truly wonderful in all the meanings of the word! A delight to read! What an extraodinary first novel. How nice to come upon this oasis after a really long dry spell.
Best fantasy novel I have ever read!
Aug 08, 2013
James Noll
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
latest-novel-research
