Nov 2015: The Golem And The Jinni by Helene Wecker - Spoilers Allowed

[Becky, Moddess]

Spoilers allowed in this thread, but please remember to uncheck the Add to My Update Feed box!

[Gillian]

This book is amazing. Enjoy!

[Helen]

I read this a while back, I loved it.

[Ashley Marie]

Only 10% in but I've met both the golem and the djinni by this point and I'm really enjoying it :)

[Ioana]

I read this last year, and enjoyed it a lot. Looking forward for your comments.

[Jackie]

I listened to the audio of this one, I think last year. It's not what I thought it was going to be. The story is rather slow and confusing in the beginning, but then it grew on me and I found that I thought about the story a long time afterward.

[Jalilah]

This is an absolutely delightful book! I read it last year and fragments of it as well as the characters lingered with me for days. I am thrilled because I read she's written a sequel!

In this lovely video you can see historical images of what the real Little Syria On Washington street NYC looked like!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhcJCOP...

[Ioana]

Jalilah wrote: " I am thrilled because I read she's written a sequel!"

A sequel...I can't wait. Even though, per GR Expected publication: 2018. That's a very looooong wait :(
The Iron Season

[Helen]

2018! That is too long!
But so excited that there will be a sequel!

Thanks for the youtube video.

[Ceri]

It almost had hints of magic realism that reminded me of Angela Carter's "Nights at the Circus"

But sadly all that did was make me wish I was reading Angela Carter... This book was a touch too sweet for my taste.

I rated it 3 stars but that's only reflective of my personal taste because I truly believe this is a 5 star book. I just really didn't like it.

[Robin P]

I thought the strongest part of the book was the historical recreation of New York and the immigrant experience. I enjoy fantasy and magic (for instance The Night Circus and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell were a couple of favorites.) But in this case, I don't think it worked very well. The Jinni's history didn't grab me at all and I was impatient to get back to the NYC part.

[Sue]

I think the Jinni was hard to like -- arrogant and uncaring -- and this made his story less enjoyable, although it was key to the novel. He was redeemed through his love with the Golem.

[TamElaine]

Enjoying this so much. 75% of the way through....it's one of those books I'm enjoying taking my time with. Which I find interesting since usually when I read a book slowly it's because of boredom....not the case with this book at all ! Really makes one question so much that most of us take for granted. Deeply developed characters with details most authors don't think of...very unique perspectives through the characters' eyes. And yes, I feel like I'm a bystander in the story, like I'm watching it from the streets, or the rooftops of New York. Talented writing...so excited to see there is a sequel coming out.

I'm at a part right now where I'm feeling pretty badly for hearts that are deceived simply because the characters can't let on who they truly are....Michael, for one...He's just now discovering some truths... I find the book really begs the question "what would I have done?" I have found myself frequently stepping into a character's shoes in this book.

[Ioana]

TamElaine wrote: "it's one of those books I'm enjoying taking my time with."

Exactly!
I listened to the audio book, and the narration was wonderful. Sometimes it bothers me that with audio books you cannot "skip a page" if the book gets boring, but with this one, the audio format was perfect. You could take your time and just enjoy the story...love George Guidall and his voices :D

[TamElaine]

Ioana wrote: "Exactly!
I listened to the audio book, and the narration was wonderful. Sometimes it bothers me that with audio books y..."

Ioana, oh I bet the audio version was fabulous....I used to listen to audio books while I worked out, but now since I teach fitness classes I don't tend to do that any more...

[TamElaine]

I'm done ! Amazing 5++ stars from me ! But poor Michael...I gasped, and even disbelieved a little, and had to re-read that part.... :( Still, an amazing book !

[Amy]

This book is beautifully written and I admire how well Helen Wecker draws us in and makes her non-human characters so compelling and relatable while still retaining their non-human natures. A tricky challenge and one she deftly navigates!

I kept waiting and waiting for the Golem and Jinni to finally meet, and now at last they have, nearly 1/3 of the way into the story. I have a lot of reading ahead of me but I am glad these two have at last crossed paths. I'm curious to see where the story goes from here.

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

I read this last spring. I enjoyed it -- but I had really high expectations and it didn't quite live up to them. I think it was partly because I did the audio.

Don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with the narration or narrator --- in fact they were good. However, often when I am listening, I am doing something else (driving, housework). I think that this book warrants your full attention and due to the nature of audio books, it didn't get that.

[Maggie]

As an author of Jewish history fantasy, I couldn't wait to read this novel. Happily, it exceeded my wildest expectations. Though I figured out the ending [how the bad guy got his just desserts] long before it occurred, it was still thrilling when it happened. I did feel bad for the golem's husband, but relationships between mortals and immortals rarely work out well. I'm looking forward to the sequel, but a little anxious too. I really hope Helene won't be a one-book wonder.
Maggie Anton