From the Bookshelf of NJ: Month End SF Book Group (Paramus, NJ)…

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

Helene Wecker

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Dec 03, 2013 Alina rated it really liked it

What an enchanting story.

The Golem and the Jinni isn’t a typical urban fantasy or magical historical fiction, and the writing style is more fairy tale like than what you get from most modern fiction. The strongest aspect going for this book is it’s premise: Two magical creatures are thrust into 1899 New York, a place unfamiliar to them for various reasons. They must keep their magical identities hidden or they could be destroyed. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, who’s master awakens h What an enchanting story.

The Golem and the Jinni isn’t a typical urban fantasy or magical historical fiction, and the writing style is more fairy tale like than what you get from most modern fiction. The strongest aspect going for this book is it’s premise: Two magical creatures are thrust into 1899 New York, a place unfamiliar to them for various reasons. They must keep their magical identities hidden or they could be destroyed. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, who’s master awakens her just before he dies leaving her adrift and ignorant on a boat headed for Ellis Island, New York. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian desert; but has been trapped in an old copper flask for a thousand years and is accidentally released by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop. The story unfolds for the reader to answer such questions as how the two magical creatures deal with being new immigrants in 1899 New York, how they come together, and what issues as a result of their unlikely friendship.

The novel is filled with vivid imagery and vivacious, passionate characters who have their own strengths, weaknesses, and desires that coincide and clash in a very believable and human fashion. I found the story engaging, enthralling, and unique. The cast of characters were varied and the stories soaked in Jewish and Arab mythology.

As I said in the beginning the writing style is more like reading a fairy tale with a lot of telling the reader information, which could put off some more literary readers or the modern writer who’s expecting a more active writing. Not to say that there isn’t action in this book, in fact there’s quite a bit of it, but it’s told as if by a story teller instead of a character within the novel. The two main stories lines (that of the golem and the jinni) were intertwined with several sub stories, that highlight the most important of the secondary characters, and all come together to weave a intertwining tapestry of beauty.

My only gripe with the writing style are the abrupt scene changes. Within chapters the story will shift from one storyline to another without good warning. Sure there’s an extra paragraph break, but I listened to, instead of read, this book and that was quite off putting even though there was always a distinct pause for the break. It’s not that the shifts weren’t easy to follow, it was just a bit jarring.

Toward the end of the book I was left wondering how everyone who’s story was highlighted would come together and resolve for there wouldn’t be so much time spent on certain story lines if there wasn’t a purpose to it. I was thoroughly satisfied by the ending and wonder if the author will write another story involving Chava and Ahmad or will this just be a beautiful stand alone novel. I certainly hope she decides to continue.

If you enjoy magical realism, urban fantasy, or historical fiction and are interested in trying out a new and fresh perspective on golems and jin, I highly suggest The Golem and the Jinni.

Happy Reading! ...more

Like · see review

Group Home Bookshelf Discussions

Photos Videos

Send invite Members Polls