From the Bookshelf of 2017 Reading Challenge…

The Golem and the Jinni (The Golem and the Jinni, #1)

Helene Wecker

Finish date: February 17, 2015

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Dec 15, 2021 Glynn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

This was a fun read. Two seemingly separate events with supernatural creatures winding up in NYC at the turn of the century make for a page turner from beginning to end. The author's descriptions of early 20th century NYC and her characterizations of the people that live there are spot on. I enjoyed learning some historical facts about the mythical creatures known as Jinni (Genies) and Golems, and interesting tidbits about the city, such as the Angel statue in Central Park and the diverse commun ...more

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Sep 18, 2016 Jessica rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio

This book covers faith in a multitude of cultures and the lives of immigrants of different kinds in America before the start of World War I. It covers ideas of free will and consent and the consequences of actions. And it does all of this with characters that you genuinely care about.

The Jinni in this story reminded me of men today who do not understand that their actions have different consequences than if a women did them. He goes out at night and wanders the city, talks to seedy shop owners, ...more

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Jan 10, 2015 Joanna Brauckmann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bookclub

I really enjoyed this tale, with all its twists and surprises. There is definitely something to be said about discovering the nature of things, what you can change and what will always be.

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