From the Bookshelf of Ask Helene Wecker - Tuesday, January 14th…
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What Members Thought
I am so glad this was my first read of 2014. Taken by the cover, and the gorgeous deep blue trim of the pages, I thought I'd give it a try. It hooked me instantly. The author captures the characters brilliantly, the historic scene of an 1899 NYC, and the cultures of the Jewish and Syrian neighborhoods.
Although a historical fantasy, I felt as if..no. I WANTED it to be true that a Golem walked the paths of Central Park at night with a Jinni by her side. I adored their conversations/arguments, a ...more
Although a historical fantasy, I felt as if..no. I WANTED it to be true that a Golem walked the paths of Central Park at night with a Jinni by her side. I adored their conversations/arguments, a ...more
I have found this story to be great in the sense of how much it is based on a good historical understanding. Regardless of it possibly being another [modern] fairy tale, it is culturally informative and enlightening.
I like how Wecker takes liberty in creating her main characters based on folklore. Yet, knowing how much lore exists about Jinn both in folk tales and religious Islamic texts, I can't help but feel that she departed too far from that and rather went with the "thousand nights genie" m ...more
I like how Wecker takes liberty in creating her main characters based on folklore. Yet, knowing how much lore exists about Jinn both in folk tales and religious Islamic texts, I can't help but feel that she departed too far from that and rather went with the "thousand nights genie" m ...more
An absorbing read that has two mythical creatures cross paths in 1899 New York. Although the story sags a bit in the middle and the details of past lives slows the story, all lovers of historical fiction and/or folktales will enjoy the book. The ending is a bit unsatisfying, with a few too many twists and turns, but ...
AWESOME!!I am not usually a fan of fantasy but this read more like historical fiction with fantasy characters. So rich and well written. I couldn't put it down
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