Caricamento
The Golem and the Jinni: A Novel
Sintesi
Helene Wecker's dazzling debut 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. When her master dies at sea on the voyage from Poland, she is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York Harbor. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian Desert. Trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago, he is released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop.
Struggling to make their way in this strange new place, the Golem and the Jinni try to fit in with their neighbors while masking their true natures. Surrounding them is a community of immigrants: the coffeehouse owner Maryam Faddoul, a pillar of wisdom and support for her Syrian neighbors; the solitary ice cream maker Saleh, a damaged man cursed by tragedy; the kind and caring Rabbi Meyer and his beleaguered nephew, Michael, whose Sheltering House receives newly arrived Jewish men; the adventurous young socialite Sophia Winston; and the enigmatic Joseph Schall, a dangerous man driven by ferocious ambition and esoteric wisdom.
Meeting by chance, the two creatures become unlikely friends whose tenuous attachment challenges their opposing natures, until the night a terrifying incident drives them back into their separate worlds. But a powerful menace will soon bring the Golem and the Jinni together again, threatening their existence and forcing them to make a fateful choice.
Marvelous and compulsively readable, The Golem and the Jinni weaves strands of folk mythology, historical fiction, and magical fable into a wondrously inventive and unforgettable tale.
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Recensioni
If you have started to feel that you are rereading the same book over and over - "this theme again?", this book will bring a smile to your face. This is a novel that is beautifully written, enchanting, fresh, thought provoking, argument provoking, smile provoking and memorable. For two (!) fantastic reviews on Goodreads I recommend Will Byrnes' double-decker review - almost as well written as the novel itself!
I really liked the setting and the unique story, but at about the halfway point it stalled and I felt that I didn't care what happened to the characters. I did again in the last few chapters, but there was a long stretch there where it didn't feel like there was enough plot driving it forward.
I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the thoroughness of each character's background story and how they intertwined together.
I have The Golem and The Jinni by Helene Wecker (thanks to the Devourer of Books) which was really long but surprisingly good!We discussed it over at Devourer of Books, but I’ll give you a quickie overview here. A golem is created by a rabbi in order to be a wife for a not-so-wonderful man. Problem? A golem is inherently bad, and will listen to a master. . . but can still get out of hand.A jinni (much like the genie we think of) is released from a bottle after many years, but still manacled. Why? How’d he get like that?For the full review, visit Love at First Book
An absolutely lovely book. I couldn't put it down. From the setting of 1900s New York, to the setting of ancient Syria and how the Jinni got caught. There is something very magical about this book that captures the beauty of being an immigrant in a new place and making ones own way in the world.
just leave me here to cry
I *thoroughly* enjoyed this book. It drew me in and refused to let go. A fascinating build up with a nice chewy density that wasn't too tough or flighty. I truly cared about the characters and the settings. Very well done.
3.5
The story is very windy and i spent a lot of time checking how far into the audio book I was. It felt like ages until the plot really got going. The Golem and Jinni were both very interesting characters surrounded by interesting people, but almost too much detail was put into their relationships. Though once the ending rolled around I felt it was all pretty well placed. I just wish the novel was paced better to allow a bit more enjoyment of it all.
It's definitely a bit of a drag, but if you are willing to stick it out the ending is quite good!
The story is very windy and i spent a lot of time checking how far into the audio book I was. It felt like ages until the plot really got going. The Golem and Jinni were both very interesting characters surrounded by interesting people, but almost too much detail was put into their relationships. Though once the ending rolled around I felt it was all pretty well placed. I just wish the novel was paced better to allow a bit more enjoyment of it all.
It's definitely a bit of a drag, but if you are willing to stick it out the ending is quite good!
Oh reading this book was such a wonderfully immersive experience.
Stories in set in New York City can sometimes ring hollow, or synthetic, or overly sentimental but this one doesn't. The direct writing allows for subtle emotion and evocation without ever overwhelming the characters that make up this story.
And it also helps that this isn't just a New York story--it's burdened with the histories of its characters and it's livened with their cultures and communities, their islands of family and togetherness in a new world. It's a story with global roots that span seas and neighborhoods. There is a wide cast of characters but each has a purpose and each are confronted in their own way with choices that require sacrifice and come with consequences.
It's an immigrant story, and a very good, subtle one. It's also a transformation story but one that succeeds in staying true to the very natures and histories and truths of its characters. Change comes with consequence and regret and difficulty and sometimes bloodshed, and it never comes completely. But this rings so poignantly true that the book's power is heightened by its refusal to allow any of its characters a blank slate--for who would want that?
I look forward to the sequel; I can't wait to fall back into the wonder this author has woven
Stories in set in New York City can sometimes ring hollow, or synthetic, or overly sentimental but this one doesn't. The direct writing allows for subtle emotion and evocation without ever overwhelming the characters that make up this story.
And it also helps that this isn't just a New York story--it's burdened with the histories of its characters and it's livened with their cultures and communities, their islands of family and togetherness in a new world. It's a story with global roots that span seas and neighborhoods. There is a wide cast of characters but each has a purpose and each are confronted in their own way with choices that require sacrifice and come with consequences.
It's an immigrant story, and a very good, subtle one. It's also a transformation story but one that succeeds in staying true to the very natures and histories and truths of its characters. Change comes with consequence and regret and difficulty and sometimes bloodshed, and it never comes completely. But this rings so poignantly true that the book's power is heightened by its refusal to allow any of its characters a blank slate--for who would want that?
I look forward to the sequel; I can't wait to fall back into the wonder this author has woven
What a treat. Totally unexpected and delightful. I would imagine audio is best, as Ifelt like I was listening to a beloved grandfather reading me a story. I don't have a beloved grandfather but if I did I would love to have this delightful fable read from this narrator. Highly recommended, especially by audio. Who would have thought? A Golem... and a Genie (jinni)??? It works !
What a wonderful book! It is extremely well written, and it seems that it was researched thoroughly. The story takes place in 1899 New York in two distinct neighborhoods: Syrian and Jewish. I was not that familiar with the mythology of the jinni before reading this, and I had never heard of a golem before. Wecker does a great job of giving these characters interesting backstories and believable personalities. I especially loved Chava and could relate to her in a lot of ways.It takes quite a few pages for the jinni and the golem to finally meet one another, but it doesn't feel like a long time because Wecker's descriptions of the scenery and the time and other character's backstories are so interesting.I especially love how Wecker compared the differing personalities of the golem and the jinni and exposed how they are similar in very human ways. While doing this, she brings up some intriguing insights into human psychology, religion, and philosophy without being heavy handed.The author is great at intertwining all of the characters stories together into one amazing story- everyone from the main characters to the little boy down the road to the ice cream vendor to the director of a Jewish boarding house.I read this for book club and I probably wouldn't have chosen it on my own, but I am so glad that I read it! I would strongly recommend this to anyone interested in mythological fiction, historical fiction, or literary fiction.
First of all, know that the title is very literal. The main characters in the book are the Golem and the Jinni. Beyond that, I think this is the kind of book that you shouldn't know much about before you start it, because it's difficult to explain in a way that makes it sound as good as it is.
There are parts of this book that remind me of Michael Chabon, which is a huge compliment. And residents of NYC will enjoy the way the book is casually set there, in a way that seems perfectly natural.
There are parts of this book that remind me of Michael Chabon, which is a huge compliment. And residents of NYC will enjoy the way the book is casually set there, in a way that seems perfectly natural.
add a few ♥ ♥ ♥ as well for good measureLet's be honest (as you know I will be): I had this book when it came out, but because of all the reviews I read in one of my Shelfari Groups which were going on & on about the "literary" quality; blah, blah, blah, blah, blah; I put the book back into the book sale. I didn't read, not one review that actually told me what the book was really about, had I, I would have read it much sooner.Hence Four (4) years later, I found it again in the book sale & I have finished it in two days and I LOVE IT & Will Keep This in my Personal Library.A female Golem is made for a man as his wife. En route to New York he awakens her, but then he dies and she is free. A kindly Rabbi finds her, takes her in and names her Chava... She gets a job in a bakery; the Rabbi dies & she continues her life...In the desert of the Middle East a Djinn is entrapped in a copper flask by an evil wizard. The flask passes down from one generation to another until it reaches a tinsmith, who while repairing it releases the Djinn. The Djinn becomes Ahmed & works with the tinsmith (who is a jerk, but hey) increasing the tinsmith's business & his bank accountThe Djinn & Golem meet and become "friends"... they have their nocturnal adventures through New York and are working through their relationship when the maker of the Golem arrives in New York & attempts to take control of her.This is "Golem:Jinni For Dummies" The book was rich with legend, history and romantic, Bedouin, Jewish, Syrian, Ghetto (not like slums but melting-pot neighborhood), & privileged life.The pace was actually fast, the relationships well thought out, the writing redolent of heady "Arabian" & fantastical nights, survival, the nature of the mystical, & the etheric qualitative beauty of mystical love.I'm ready to read it again..... Now I understand there is a sequel, but I am not ready for that, as I usually find sequels disappointing.....
I gave this book 100 pages and I just couldn't stick with it. It's not that it wasn't good, there just wasn't much action. The first couple of chapters were great. They introduced both of the main characters and told how they got to America. Then there's all this background story and all kinds of other characters that don't seem very important show up with tons of history... It felt really laggy. Maybe I'll pick it back up somewhere down the line, but for now, not interested.
So if you're the kind of person who doesn't really get into fantasy, but likes a touch of magic in your stories, this is the book for you. From the title you can guess that the two main characters are a Golem and a Jinni, but the story takes place mostly in New York in 1899. It's so original, but also accessible it really seems like it's destined to be a classic and I would love to see a movie made from it. It has romance, tragedy, and the setting is perfect. I really cared about the characters and wanted them to succeed. It probably helped that the narrator was George Guidell, he's not my favorite narrator, but when I hear his voice it reminds me of many audiobooks I listened to 20+ years ago.
It's really not fair to compare this book to The Night Circus, as we are only ever as we are made, no more, no less.
This took me a lot longer to read than I would've liked, partly due to the smallish text (maybe I should've read it on my Kindle), but toward the end, partly because I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters. I read a sequel is coming in the fall, but this book has a perfect ending and while I welcome the chance to read more about Chava the Golem and Ahmad the Jinni, I would have been happy enough with just this.Chava is a Hebrew creature made of clay to be the wife of a man who dies en route from Prussia to New York City in 1899. An elderly rabbi realizes her true nature and takes her under his wing, trying to teach her how to fit in. Ahmad (his real name is unpronounceable) is a jinni released from a flask by a Syrian metalsmith after years of captivity. Still trapped by the iron cuff on his wrist, put there by the wizard who had imprisoned him, the newly-named Ahmad is stuck in human form. Wecker makes full use of their opposing natures as the two non-human creatures happen upon each other one night and form an odd friendship. Chava has been left masterless yet privy to the thoughts of all humans she comes in contact with. Needing neither sleep nor food or drink, possessing no beating heart, she is under constant stress of being found out. A being of superior strength, she poses a danger to society and she can be destroyed by the reading of a particular spell. Freed from a master's control though by nature she was made for such control, Chava struggles to find her place in the city she finds herself in.On the other hand, Ahmad is a creature born to soar and the constraints of human form and the need to also fit into society, are as chafing to his nature as the cuff on his wrist.Dangers come from all directions, including the arrival of the elderly mystic who created Chava who is seeking eternal life, the bewitched man who senses Ahmad's true nature, and instances where both Chava and Ahmad inadvertently reveal their special abilities. Wecker does a wonderful job weaving together the disparate characters and events, including flashbacks, to give us a fully realized, fantastical New York City at the end of the 1800s. Along the way, she gives us a treatise on what it means to be human, as well as an unexpected love story.
Loved it. Interesting, historical, easy to read, fantasy, religion, this has it all! More please!
LOVED IT!! LOVED IT!! LOVED IT!!
Wonderful book.
A Jewish female golem, a creature of clay, was created to be her master's wife, who was immigrating to 1899 America. When he dies during the voyage, the golem is overwhelmed by the surrounding thoughts that flood her consciousness. During the same time, a jinni, a citizen of the desert and creature of fire, is released from a metal flask in Little Syria, NYC, only to discoverer that he has no memory of how he got into the container and a unremovable metal bracelet preventing him to assume no shape but a human. Both supernatural creatures are befriended by older lonely men, a rabbi and a tinsmith, who take pity on the creatures and help them in their assimilation in the surrounding communities. Then one night, the two of them meet, each creature seeing the other for what they really are.
Although this author's debut novel possesses fantastical elements, this is not the primary focus of this historical novel. It is actually about two outsiders attempting to discover what it means to be human and to create a new world for themselves. A story that holds you from cover to cover, it is one of my new favorites. I look forward to reading other novels by this author.
Although this author's debut novel possesses fantastical elements, this is not the primary focus of this historical novel. It is actually about two outsiders attempting to discover what it means to be human and to create a new world for themselves. A story that holds you from cover to cover, it is one of my new favorites. I look forward to reading other novels by this author.
Admittedly this book took me forever to get through, not because it wasn't great just because that's how life is sometimes. A great read, super unique and creative and a complete surprise ending too.
I had a really hard time reading this book. The book blurb and the recommendations of good friends caused me to decide to give this book a try even though it isn't one I would probably have picked up on my own.I have no personal awareness of the cultures represented in this book; I had hoped that the author would spark some connection for me.The Golem was created for a man seeking a submissive wife. When the man died, it left the nameless Golem searching for purpose in her life.She eventually met the Jinni. The author spent tie developing a couple of fly-by-night romances for him that I thought would build to something. By the end of the book I was wondering why she put so much time into that. Yes, she showed that he sought relationship and that he seemed to be growing into a need for something of greater substance.I found myself frequently looking back through the previous pages to figure out who the various extraneous characters were, as I had a difficult time remembering who was who.I think that Wecker was on to something here, she just never reached the point of interconnecting the storylines well enough for me. I really tried to enjoy this book. I have a feeling it is probably the best idea for a book whose fruition I ended up really not liking.
fantasy novel, takes place in New York in late 1800s. lots of middle eastern history. A golem (mythical jewish character) meets a Jinni from Syria. I liked the writing and felt close to the characters
What a wonderful story! Good vs. evil. Historical. Cultural. I rooted for all of the characters, except the old man who created the golem.
The Golem and the Jinni tells the long, rather drawn out story of the unusual relationship between two otherworldly beings. Chava is a female golem, a figure from Jewish folklore. Made of clay, she is supernaturally strong, but created to be submissive to a master's will. Her companion is Ahmad, a jinni imported from the Arab storytelling tradition. Freed from his centuries-long imprisonment in a flask, Ahmad is made from fire, and, as befits his nature, he's impetuous and passionate. Through various twists of fate, both of these fabled creatures find themselves living among humans in turn-of-the-century New York City. Their interactions with people ultimately beget violence and sorrow. I found this novel intriguing, but also dark and almost cheerless, lightened only by the golem's and the jinni's touching devotion to each other. I would have liked it better had there been less of it.
Great read.
Golems! Jinni! Rabbi wizards!
Seriously impressed with this book! I think the ending could've been better, but the storytelling here was captivating.
I was hesitant to pick this book up. I was not sure I'd like it. Well, I loved it. It is so well-written. It gives the legends of the Jewish golem and the Arab jinni and combines them in what I would call a love story. No, it is not a bodice ripper but it is a story of love and sacrifice. A middle-aged Jewish man from Danzig, Poland, wants to come to America and wants a wife so he asks a not-so-pious (meaning he dabbled in the dark arts) Jewish leader to create a golem for him. Unfortunately, he dies before they land in America. The golem is alone in America and a Jewish rabbi finds her and helps her. The jinni has been locked in a bottle for a thousand years and is finally freed but he is in human form and cannot change back into his jinni form. He forms a partnership with a tinsmith. The golem and the jinni meet because the jinni can tell there is something different about the golem and he takes her wandering New York City at night because neither needs sleep and both are restless inside at night. They form a friendship. They fight. They are more honest with each other than with the others in their lives.I enjoyed this book. I felt I knew these characters. I felt their pains and their triumphs. I liked that they could be honest. I loved how the stories of all the characters wove together from past to present, from Jew to Arab to American. I was touched by the stories of these people. I cried as I read Ice Cream Saleh's story. With everything that happens, the caring between people comes through and the sacrifices made shows the depth of the feelings between the characters. Whether is was Arbeely and the jinni or the rabbi and the golem, the help given by the human towards the mythical being is shown. Secrets are kept. The rabbi worries what will happen to the golem when he dies. The rabbi's nephew is smitten with the golem although he does not know her true nature. The golem feels the pains and disappointments of those around her--Anna, the Radzins, Michael. The jinni wants to be free of his imprisonment of the iron cuff yet he cannot be free. He is shakeled by the feelings of Matthew, Fadwa, and Sophia. Tragedy does strike and both of them have to decide how to handle it. I liked that though neither the golem nor the jinni were human, being around humans caused them to have human emotions and they dealt with those emotions. This is a book worth reading. I am glad I did.