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

Helene Wecker

Start date: November 12, 2013

Finish date: November 20, 2013

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What Members Thought

Jun 09, 2021 Ketutar Jensen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, series, magic, fantasy-challenge

I think it was wonderful. :-)
Of course. I gave it 5 stars.

I think Helene Wecker managed to make golems and jinnis well-rounded creatures, without taking anything away from their traditional nature. In fact, I think she explains their traditional nature, without diminishing or what-s-it-called weakening, making it bland or boring, or less dangerous and terrifying.
I love the fact that she uses old traditions, mainly Jewish, that's not that usual in Fantasy.
The solution was not the best, though... ...more

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Feb 16, 2015 Vickie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: booksthatmakemegowow, nook

I've seen golems portrayed on episodes of X Files, Sleepy Hollow, and Supernatural. The creation has always been portrayed as a harsh protector of whoever it was created for.
As for jinn in stories, movies and television...alternately evil life-suckers on Supernatural or giddy wish-givers in animated 'Aladdin'.
Here in this portrayal, both are fish out of water in their new home of 1899 New York City. Chava was created in Prussia for a less-than-savory man so that he could have a devoted wife be I've seen golems portrayed on episodes of X Files, Sleepy Hollow, and Supernatural. The creation has always been portrayed as a harsh protector of whoever it was created for.
As for jinn in stories, movies and television...alternately evil life-suckers on Supernatural or giddy wish-givers in animated 'Aladdin'.
Here in this portrayal, both are fish out of water in their new home of 1899 New York City. Chava was created in Prussia for a less-than-savory man so that he could have a devoted wife before he departs for the New World. No one wants him as a husband so he hires a mystical rabbi to create the perfect woman.
The man dies on the sea voyage after bringing his golem-wife to life and she is left without a master and the ability to 'hear' the thoughts and desires of everyone around her. She is lucky enough to be rescued by a kindly rabbi who recognizes her for what she is and helps guide her through her new world and her new life.
The jinni is released from his lamp by a tinsmith who is repairing the lamp that has been the jinni's prison for some time. The jinni has no memory of how he came to be in the lamp nor much of his life before.
The story is told through many voices, majorly between the two title characters. And it is told in present time and in past for the main characters and those who surround them.
The golem is as generous as her creation allows. She wants to help those in need, but mostly it's from how she was made and it's partly from boredom since she doesn't eat or sleep.
The jinni is self-centered and has no realization of the consequences of his actions, especially when it comes to his relationships with women.
The two find each other and form a companionship based on mutual need of distraction.

I did not want to put this book down. It is on my Nook which I read at bedtime, so I had quite a few just-one-more-page-holey-schmoley-is-that-the-time kind of nights. An engrossing tale and I look forward to reading more of Helene Wecker's books.
Definite recommend. ...more

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Feb 24, 2017 Rhonda rated it it was amazing

Fantastic on so many levels. The best book I've read in a long while. ...more

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Nov 24, 2015 Karen rated it it was amazing

Wonderful book. I love complicated shades of gray characters.

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Jun 01, 2014 Soelo rated it it was amazing

Shelves: srchallenge, nebulaaward, locusaward, worldfantasyaward, mythopoeicaward

I listened to this audiobook over the last 3 weeks. I am not sure I would have stuck with it if I had read it because it is a slow moving story, especially at the beginning. It is not boring, just pretty detailed. There are 4 main characters and you get comprehensive backgrounds on each of them. There are several supporting characters with similarly detailed but shorter backgrounds as well. I like Magical Realism and this story did not disappoint. Chapter 25 was my favorite one.

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