[TBR] The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

[Hebah]

I can see why this book gets so much love--rich historical setting, compelling characters, and magic handled with a deft enough touch to keep from scaring away readers who don't typically read fantasy. This was very much in the vein of literary fantasy, as the story was more driven by characters and how humanity filters through their very distinct viewpoints, but I still enjoyed it. Chava and Ahmad were wonderful foils to each other with a fascinating connection, but I could easily read another book set in this world and following any of the peripheral characters whose lives were touched by our title characters--chatty Maryam, heiress Sophia and her adventures, even the jinni's assistant Matthew and what becomes of him. I'll be curious to see where Chava and Ahmad go in future installments. Overall, an impressive debut.

[Joanne]

Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. I too thought about the characters, and what is to come. Inserting what may be a spoiler for some-I saw a blurb that the(view spoiler)[ next installment takes place in the WWII era-that made me sad, because some of the characters may not have lived that long(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Hebah]

Joanne wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. I too thought about the characters, and what is to come. Inserting what may be a spoiler for some-I saw a blurb that the[spoilers removed]"

Actually, I think it was (view spoiler)[going to be set in WWI, which I am all for because I think WWII has been done to death in fiction already. But another 20 years or so is still plenty of time for some of the characters to have adventures in. (hide spoiler)]

[Joy D]

Hebah, your observations about it being written with "a deft enough touch to keep from scaring away readers who don't typically read fantasy." is spot on for me. I don't normally read fantasy, but I really enjoyed this book! I think it being "literary fantasy, as the story was more driven by characters and how humanity filters through their very distinct viewpoints" was one of the best aspects of it. Nice review!

[NancyJ]

Hebag, that's a perfect description of why the book is so special. I haven't seen a tag for "literary fantasy" yet, but I'll look for it now. I would read more fantasy if it was written for adults and went beyond the standard fare. I liked that this book dealt with meaningful aspects of human nature, even though the characters weren't exactly human.

[Hebah]

NancyJ wrote: "Hebag, that's a perfect description of why the book is so special. I haven't seen a tag for "literary fantasy" yet, but I'll look for it now. I would read more fantasy if it was written for adults ..."

Literary fantasy is definitely out there. I think of things like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, for example, or the writing of Mary Robinette Kowal, whose Glamourist Histories are set in Regency England (the first book is straight-up Jane Austen pastiche!). I think The Night Circus might also even fit that niche.

It was interesting coming at this as a fantasy reader who doesn't read much literary fic, when I think most readers are literary fic readers willing to give fantasy a try. It's definitely a smooth middle ground with enough to keep us all happy, I think.