Ask Helene Wecker - Tuesday, January 14th discussion
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The Golem and the Jinni
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Cynthia
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Dec 17, 2013 11:21AM
Welcome to the group! Helene Wecker will be answering questions throughout the day on Tuesday, January 14th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for Helene, or just want to introduce yourself, feel free to do so in this thread.
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Hello Helene. Thanks for taking the time to answer questions on your wonderful book. I absolutely felt transported to the time and place you describe. How did you manage to meld together so many cultures into one coherent story? Brilliant.
Again, thanks for taking the time here! I have recommended the book to everyone in my book group and all my friends that read.
Hello,I loved this book! Thanks for taking the time for us here. I really hope you write tons more books :)
Hi Helene,I loved your book! I urged my mother to read it and she enjoyed it as well.
I was impressed by how you were able to write a gripping, entertaining story while at the same time there was clearly another, deeper layer of symbolism and meaning to the story. I could read and enjoy or I could take it a step further and consider that deeper layer (I love books like that - it's like a bonus when you can both go for the ride or choose to think a bit more and analyze.) I also liked the way you included historical detail without getting lost in it. It was an extremely skillfully created novel!
My question is, how much planning did you do for the novel? Were all the layers there from the start, or did you discover some along the way? Are you a planner or a pantser? :)
Thanks so much for agreeing to take questions from the group!
Shelly
What a beautiful story you've written , meshing folklores and cultures . For me it portrayed friendship ,love , humanity . I loved Chava and Ahmed and would love to know if you plan a sequel so we can see what happens when Ahmed returns.
Helene, your book was the first one in a long time that I didn't want to put down, and I was so happy to have picked it to review for Coal Hill Review. Thank you so much for that. As one writer to another, it's astounding how you were able to create such a diverse world with complex characters and deftly woven story lines in a debut novel. You give hope to the up-and-comers. My questions for you: How much of the final draft's complexity and richness was in your first draft? And, similarly, how much changed after you acquired an agent and editor?
Hello, Helene, and thank you for taking questions. I absolutely loved the book! Are you planning to write a sequel? I really, really hope so!
I think that a sequel taking place in the 1920's could be very different from the first book because the zeitgeist was so different in the Roaring Twenties. I would like to see that.My question: Did you deliberately have the Golem and the Jinni characters conform to conventional sex roles because they would blend in and be less noticeable?
Helene -For years I've been searching for what I would call an American "classic," something I want future generations to read as outstanding and lasting examples of American culture. Yours is the first one I've come across (well, besides Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut and just a couple of others!)
How did you come across the idea of the golem and jinn? Americans don't really know what golems are. They (we) are more acquainted with the Arabian Nights and the genie in the bottle. These characters emphasize so well the over-regulated and freedom-at-all-cost personalities and I wonder how you decided on them.
How long did you spend researching the book? I felt like I was reading a piece of someone's diary from the turn of the 20th century because you described the period so well.
How long did it take you to write after you finished your research?
Also, unlike many of the comments I see already posted, I sincerely hope that you don't write a sequel. The ending is perfect as it is with the two personalities coming closer together. I think it's more important for us readers to imagine how it will work out.
That said, what is your next project? And how on earth will you be able to top The Golem and the Jinni?
Hello Helene! I'm so excited to see this discussion.Coming to study in America from an Arab background, I began to realize my lack of knowledge about Jewish history and culture (sadly for obvious political reasons I don't want to get into.) I'm very glad I came across your novel because it perfectly bridges the gaps for someone of my background and ties everything into a beautiful tale.
As others have pointed out, the great historical detail is one of the things I really enjoyed. As I'm less familiar with golems, I was thrilled to learn about them through Chava. This leads me to Ahmad and jinn.
To my understanding of my own culture, the jinn made of fire come from Islamic teachings and folklore. They are described as having lived as long as man was around in an invisible dimension, and that they were given the "messages" of the Abrahamic religions and such. There is an entire chapter in the Qur'an titled "Al-jinn."
Yet, Ahmad seems to be more of the Western notion of "genie" in that he seems more isolated from human civilization, how they conduct their lives, and what they believe in. Here's my question:
Were Ahmad's beliefs and character shaped to juxtapose with those of the other characters, or was it make him more accesible?
I ask this because at first I was a little upset that Ahmad wasn't really like the jinn I'm familiar with, especially when the book seemed to try and differentiate him from a "genie" misconception. However, as the story progressed, I've grown very fond of Ahmad's character and felt like his distate for human beliefs and ethics created a nice resonance with the overall story. Because of that, Chava to me seemed like a more believable character and was much more enjoyable and unpredictable.
Hello Helene! You have a beautiful vision that you are able to convey in your writing to your readers. I absolutely adored The Golem & The Jinni. It was the best book I read in 2013 and will always sit on my favourites shelf. I currently work at Chapters part time and I recommend your book to many people that come in and they've come back to tell me how much they enjoyed it!I can't wait to read what you have in store for us next! Can you give us a hint? :)
Thank you,
Milana
First of all, I adored the book, and everyone I recommended it to loved it ask well (can I get a commission?) One of the things I loved the best about the book was how it made me feel; it kept me constantly engaged and in love with the characters without ever feeling that sense of dread that often characterizes important works. It ended exactly the way I wanted it to, but didn't seem compromised at all for that outcome. Was this a conscious decision or did it just flow naturally? For that matter - do you think that its even there?
How did you pitch The Golem and the Jinni to an agent or an editor? How did you describe it?
What a fabulous read. I was engaged from beginning to end and it continues to linger in my mind. I was fascinated by the symbolic content and ancient Jewish history. Your research was compellingly enough for further review. Where did you get the idea to explore a golem and a jinni? The complexity of the storyline was well thought out. Congratulations
Hi Helene- A friend recommended your book to me and I really enjoyed it. So much that I took it to Europe with me for five weeks knowing full well I'd have a hefty fine when I got back. Even worse, I knew the book was already reserved for check out by another reader. So I finished "The Golem and the Jinni" in a salty English village, my guilt almost ruining the joy of your good book . . . almost. So here's my question: Besides lots of reading, which research methods helped you most with this book? What specific advice would you offer to new writers of historical fiction? And lastly--the Golem. Come now, whose face did you imagine when writing this character. My friend and I text argued, sending pics of actresses we thought were 'right.' But you're the one to ask. :) Thanks again for a great read, and congratulations.
Hi Helene,I was a pleasure reading "The Golem and the Jinni". The one thing which I loved the most was your choice of words and expressions. Every word fitted in exquisitely with the intended meaning.
My one question is why did Rabbi Meyer wanted to bind Chava? Why did he go to all this trouble?
Also, there was a passage where the Jinni sees a girl in New York who "seems" to remind him of Fadwa (it's not overtly mentioned). Was it intentional?
Thanks,
Sid
Hello Ms. Wecker,The Golem and the Jinni is easily one of the best books I read last year, and one of my favorites. It's the first book that made me cry tears of happiness - by the end, I was so attached to the characters that I felt like I knew them in real life.
How did you create such rich and complex characters? What inspired you to include the stories of Sophia and the ice cream seller? Were Chava and Ahmad more or less the same in beginning drafts, or did they change from what you originally envisioned?
I am looking forward to your future books!
Helene-One of the many things I liked about your book was the simplicity of your lyrical and ethereal prose stylings. It had a whimsical fairty-tale quality that made it all the more enjoyable.
However, I was disappointed at the lack of detail that "simplicity" contained. Expounding upon the mystical writings that are described in your book probably would have diminished the etherealness of your writing, but I was really disappointed in never learning Ahmad's real name. It can be argued that that would have been a distraction and wasn't really the point anyway, but his real name would have been a critical part of any spell used to enslave the Jinni.
Question: Did you have a real name in mind for Ahmad; perhaps making the decision not to include it, at a later point? Or was he always Ahmad?
Thank you for a most rewarding reading experience and I look forward to your next book.
Squire
How are you connected to the middle eastern cultures and influences that are in your book? What is your spiritual background or interests and did it influence your writing? Thankyou for writing such a rich and mystical story.
Hello Helene,Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
First, I just want to say how much I enjoy your novel, The Golem and the Jinni. Once I read or listen to a book with such imagination painted onto a realistic canvas, I realize the research and talent necessary for the artist to create such an alive story. I love to be taken away by the Fantasy or Science Fiction genres to rejuvenate my serious, non-fiction life. Thank you for all your effort that provides readers an enjoyable escape from the mundane.
Second, my question is: How does a story process through you? Do you write it first on a superficial level and then rewrite it once the whole story is deeper within you? Do you pour over your research and insert the story within reality; and out of this, do you outline the story from beginning to end?
I loved the book. I listened to it on audible and George Guidall did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. The story itself was wonderful and I look forward to your next work. And the next. and the next...Why did you decide to go with these two particular cultures? Is interaction between between culturally diverse entities going to be a hallmark of your work?
Hi Helene! I love to be transported when I read a book and yours truly did that for me. Thank you and I can't wait to read more from you. I enjoyed the idea of two mythical figures from different cultures coming together - but your book does so much more to put the reader in another time and place. How did you come up with such a unique story? By the way, I loved how the novel ended - mysterious, yet satisfying. I hope you plan to visit the St. Louis area! :)
Hi,Helene-loved your book, it made my list of Best Books of 2013! My question is, did you do your research for the story before you started writing or was it done along the way?
I loved your book! I came across your book by a lucky accident and I'm so glad I did! It's hard to find good non-horror stories that really connect the reader with main characters that aren't human, even if they look, or can look, human. How did you manage seeing through your character's viewpoint, stepping just enough outside to show their struggle to fit in?
Hello Helene. I just loves your book. There are a couple of questions u wanted to ask. 1) Don't Jinns exist in different countries? How come our jinni didn't meet others of his kind in New York?2) When is your next book coming out, can you give us a brief description about it? Can't wait to read it.
Hello Helene,Thank you for writing a great novel that transforms the reading experience beyond the paper (or screen) to the imagination. The world you created was both realistic and fantastic. Did you have the New York setting decided on before you started shaping the characters or did the melting pot magically present itself as the perfect location?
Helene,I absolutely adored your book. It was so beautifully written, I couldn't wait to commute to and from work for an hour so I could lose myself in Chava and Ahmed's story.
I would just like to know how you imagine their story developing. What life would you like Chava and Ahmed to have together?
Hi Helen!You're book is so beautiful! It was the perfect marriage of an immigration story and a fantasy story. And the characters are unforgettable! One question I've been wondering about since I picked up the book. Why a Golem and why a Jinni? What attracts you to these particular creatures? And what other creatures did you consider, if any?
Hi Helene,I loved this story so much, because it was an actual story with characters so real, I continue to think of them even now, months after finishing it. I wondered if the idea revealed itself as you were writing or if you conceived it all at once. It is such a beautiful story of love and unity. thank you
Tangela
I loved this book. It made me feel so happy that it would be possible to have a Golem that wasn't designed to be a monster. And a Jinni that wasn't a slave to get wishes from but a victim you could identify with. I haven't been able to get my mother to read this but I'm sure she would love it, especially about the old neighborhood!!! I always tell people that my mother is from the old country, Brooklyn
How much research did you do and how? I'm a librarian but I work in a public library not a school or academic one. I realize the amount of work you did to get the details. Who was your inspiration or your guide through that?
Helene, thank you so much for this wonderful gift of a book that presents aspects of Arab and Jewish cultures with love and respect together. I was amazed at how your writing drew me in and kept me in the story, much the same way Harper Lee did with To Kill A Mockingbird. I think you've written a classic here. I wonder if you were using a conscious approach to pulling the reader into the depth of the story, to making the reader feel like a living part of the story as it goes on, when writing or editing?
Helene, it was a pleasure reading your book. I have a quirky question for you. Both the Jinni and the Golem are multi-(pan?)-lingual, as we've seen that they each understand whatever language they are hearing. When they met, and when they are together, what language do they use with each other?
Greetings, Ms. Wecker,Thank you for a wonderful novel. I've given copies of it to several people as Christmas presents. My questions are on the technical details of writing: How did you keep track of all the different "threads" which are eventually tied together by the end? Did you keep an outline? Did you have a firm idea from the beginning of how things would tie together? For what it's worth, I'd love to read more from you, but I don't think I'd like to see a sequel to this novel. I think the story ended in a perfect open-ended way and I like, as a reader, not having a definite "conclusion" to Ahmad and Chava's story.
hi Helene! I loved how the story of Chava and Ahmad mirrors that of any immigrant at that time in America. I especially liked how you infused your characters with elemental traits..eg Chava is literally salt of the earth and Ahmad is fiery passion. did you research symbolism of elements? they are used in many pagan ceremonies to deepen the spiritual connection.
Hi Helene,I've skimmed through the questions you've received so far, looking for a different wording or complimentary take on what I'm interested in. There are so many! I know you've got your work cut out for you, but I'm curious about two things.
1) What was your inspiration/guidance for portraying such complex and interesting relationships? The golem and the jinni are very interesting characters, and I love the way they interact with one another and with other people. You do a great job of combining the character's attractions, fears, needs, with their thoughts, dialogue, and action. Since each scene has such a variety these elements there doesn't seem to be a pattern.
Do you use your own relationships as examples? Do you have a series of events in mind, which then lead to certain reactions from the characters? Do you just write a bunch of stuff and over time remove the excess?
2) What was the professional editing process like? Did you feel the same attachment to the final product as you felt toward the original, unedited draft? Did you omit any scenes? I'm thinking in particular of the scene involving the jinni's first physical encounter with Sophia. I could imagine more detail about that first interaction between them in the corner of her balcony. Was anything omitted out of consideration of the age of some of the readers?
Hi HeleneI came across the title of this book about six month before it was published, and it piqued my interest immediately, as golems and djinn are among my favorite fantasy creatures.
Anyway, to me this book was a breath of fresh air. The way you molded the characters, almost like a creator of golems yourself, is fantastic, just fantastic, and especially Chava. I felt so much for this woman that when I finished the book the next day, I didn't know what to do. I am in complete awe, and I hope to be able to write as good as you one day.
1: Is this story just this one story? I feel it's sort of written that way, that it is in a way finished, and that even though I would've like to hear more about these two wonderful people, it would be like Orpheus looking over his shoulder causing Eurydice to disappear.
2: Do you have more books planned? And would it be possible to tell something about them?
From one writer to another
my best regards
Henrik
Helene,Congrats on the success of The Golem and the Jinni! I enjoyed it and so did my book club.
I'm curious about your experience getting the book published. I've heard a lot of successful writers saying that the publishing industry is so different now than when they were debut authors.
I understand that the approach that works for one author may not be what works for another author. For this book, what were some key approaches/strategies/activities in your effort to get it published? Networking at conventions? Did your agent really have to champion the book? Or a specific editor?
Thanks!
Ralph
Hello Helene,Your tale of the immigrant experience in New York was incredibly inventive, with a strong sense of place and time. I'd like to know if you chose these very odd mythical creatures as your protagonists in order to illustrate the foreignness and loneliness that new immigrants would have felt in their new land, or if you're just fascinated with this particular mythology? It certainly made for a compelling story!
Hi Helene,My favorite book of 2013! I can't wait to read what you write next. I can't believe this beautiful book was your first.
What inspired you to write this book? Did you do a lot of research? What is your background and how'd you get started as an author?
Looking forward to next Tuesday! Best to you!
Hi, Helene, I want to thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, this was a truly beautiful story I loved the characters Chava and Ahmad they complemented each other. For your debut novel what caused you to cast these two the Golem and the Jinni as the main people in the book? What was your inspiration was it a book that you had read before? I know that the Golem and Jinni both figure in middle eastern cultures but why did you cast a creature of earth and a creature of air together? Sorry for all the questions but I look forward to your answers and congratulations on your success with this one. When will your next book be out and will it follow after this one? because I loved this book it was fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable, thank you for this great book! Happy New Year and have a great one! Look forward to seeing all the answers on Tuesday, thank you once again!
Hi Helene,Thank you for writing such a fascinating and engaging book! I simply loved it. I rarely give a book five stars here on Goodreads, but I did for this one. Thank you also for taking the time to answer our questions.
As the other readers have already covered the more complex and intellectual questions I might have asked, I'll ask the simple one: is there a movie in the works? I think this would make a fantastic film, and I'd love to know your thoughts on possible casting.
Helene,I absolutely adored this book and it made me reflect on my own Lower East Side Jewish heritage. How much research did you do for this novel? And have you been to the Tenement Museum in NYC?
Hi Helene,Thank you for writing a wonderful book. I am always looking for something different and the title caught my eye. I had never heard of a golem and I wonder what gave you the idea. A great book!
Helene, Hello!I just wanted to tell you how amazing your book is. I loved the characters you created and enjoyed every page.
I hope to see this on the big screen someday (Naveen Andrews as the Jinni..oh yes!) I also hope to read many more novels from you in the future.
Your book, asthetically, was GORGEOUS. How did the dark blue page edges and the beautiful cover come about?
My question has been asked already. I just wanted to say that I loved this book. One of my top 3 reads of 2013. Thank you so much for writing it!
Hello Helene!The Golem and the Jinni was a favorite last year. It was wonderful! I was very taken by the design of the book, as well. Did you have any influence on the cover, binding (oh my goodness the inked edges!) and the typeface? The physical aspects of the hardbound version really added to my enjoyment.
Thank you for a wonderful book!
Afternoon, Ms. Wecker.I've read your book and loved it thoroughly. I was particularly drawn to the character of Chava the golem; to her vulnerability, her curiosity, and her unique way that she interacted with the world. I was wondering, how were you inspired to create this character? Had you drawn from life experience to define her with such eloquence and heart?
I'll start by saying I have not loved a fiction book this much in a long time - I finished it a couple weeks ago and still keep thinking about the characters! Thank you for such a great read. I do have one question for you though, something that keeps me wondering still:At a point in the book, a prostitute is on a Bowery rooftop and the Jinni remarks that something was very familiar about her hands/hair. Why was this in the story if the girl was not any of the characters? I kept expecting this girl to be returned to and maybe even have it be Anna, or Sophia, or even a reincarnation of the Bedouin girl from his past. It was never referred to again. What was the significance of this occurrence?
In my copy of the book, I read an interview transcript in which you said it took 7 years to write The Golem and the Jinni. As a former English teacher, I often told my students good writing takes time and revision. Thank you for sticking with this fascinating story until it was finished. I adore the intricate and layered threads you wove to intersect, overlap, and eventually converge into one seamless story. I find much current fiction to be simplistic in its plot and character development. I appreciate that you wrote a complex tale with such rich detail and attention to how the story unfolds over the course of the novel. Truly masterful!I continue to wonder about Michael Levy and his death at the hands of Schaalman. I understand that the end of his character more easily paves the way for Chava to truly be free of her marriage. However, I wonder if his death also symbolizes something more, a sort of punishment for having become an apostate or the destruction of the collective weak and innocent. Could it also be that his personality would have prevented him from keeping Chava's secret? Or is this yet another instance of his bearing the burdens of other people's misfortunes, as he so often does at the Sheltering House? I imagine it is possible Michael's death has more to do with Schaalman's anger than any flaw in Michael. In essence, I suppose I am asking why you made the decision to end Michael's character.
Thank you for indulging your readers' questions. I do hope to read more from you in the future!
Ask Helene Wecker - Tuesday, January 14th
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The Golem and the Jinni (other topics)The Golem and the Jinni (other topics)
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