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What Members Thought
Jul 29, 2015
Nancy
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
magical-realism
Although this book was long, it was so well written and so subtly constructed that I found I simply couldn't put it down. I was drawn in to the story immediately. At first I wondered where some of the apparently unconnected threads fit in, but as the story developed it became clear and everything came together in the end. What I loved about it was that it wasn't just a fantasy story, it was a musing on faith, on consequences and on life. I loved how the two vastly different characters of the Gol
...more
Jul 07, 2016
Book Concierge
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
19th-century,
new-york,
historical-fiction,
concierge,
strong-women,
library,
friendship,
fantasy
From the book jacket [This] novel tells the story of two supernatural creatures who appear mysteriously in 1899 New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a strange man who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic. … Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian Desert.
My reactions
Gosh, I really wanted to like this book. I looked forward to learning more about the myths of these two cultures – ancient Judaism and Syrian lore. But it never really captured my ...more
My reactions
Gosh, I really wanted to like this book. I looked forward to learning more about the myths of these two cultures – ancient Judaism and Syrian lore. But it never really captured my ...more
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
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
What were to happen if two myths from two cultures came together in a big city, say New York, and somehow met each other. Well, you get this book and it's a good one.
I've always loved the mystery that's behind the Middle East, in this case Syria. That culture is so different from my own. I thought it was great fun to be able to explore this culture a little bit in turn of the century New York through the eyes of two supernatural creatures: a jinni and a golem.
It was a fascinating adventure into ...more
I've always loved the mystery that's behind the Middle East, in this case Syria. That culture is so different from my own. I thought it was great fun to be able to explore this culture a little bit in turn of the century New York through the eyes of two supernatural creatures: a jinni and a golem.
It was a fascinating adventure into ...more
Chava is a golem created to be a mans wife but her master dies shortly after awakening her and she's left to fend for herself in New York. Ahmed is a jinni trapped in a copper flask for a thousand years until he is inadvertently released by a tinsmith. This is the story of how these two creatures deal with their lives in New York and how their lives ultimately end up entwined. I loved all the details of the characters and how everything came together in this story. A great debut novel.
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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.
Dec 07, 2012
Kelly (Maybedog)
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Martha
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Jul 31, 2013
Marla
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Jan 07, 2014
Heather
marked it as to-read
Jan 25, 2016
Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction
marked it as to-read
Feb 12, 2018
Chris
marked it as to-read
May 27, 2019
Meredith
marked it as to-read
