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    The Golem and the Djinni
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    The Golem and the Djinni
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    The Golem and the Djinni
    Audiobook19 hours

    The Golem and the Djinni

    Written by Helene Wecker

    Narrated by George Guidall

    4/5

    ()

    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this audiobook

    ‘One of only two novels I've ever loved whose main characters are not human’ BARBARA KINGSOLVER

    For fans of The Essex Serpent and The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock.

    ‘By far my favourite book of of the year’ Guardian

    One cold night, two newcomers emerge onto the streets of 1899 New York, and it is never the same again.

    But these two are more than strangers to this land, they are strangers to this world. From the depths of folkloric history come Chava the golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a disgraced rabbi and Ahmad, a djinni, born in the ancient Syrian desert and trapped in an old copper flask released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop.

    Two companions who were never meant to be released, and never meant to meet. And when they do, their opposing natures will be sealed by a special bond, but one that is threatened by watching eyes, roaming owners and a misunderstanding world.

    A glittering gem of a novel, as spell-binding as it is compelling, The Golem and The Djinni asks us what we’re made of and how we can break free.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateAug 15, 2013
    ISBN9780007531219
    Unavailable
    The Golem and the Djinni
    Author

    Helene Wecker

    Helene Wecker received a BA from Carleton College in Minnesota and an MFA from Columbia University in New York. A Chicago-area native who has made her home in Minneapolis, Seattle, and New York, she now lives near San Francisco with her husband and daughter. The Golem and the Jinni is her first novel.

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    Reviews for The Golem and the Djinni

    4/5

    1,878 ratings207 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Thoroughly enjoyed :)
      Highly recommended if you fancy a little adventure.
    • 5/5
      What a book! Probably the best I've read in the past few years and certainly one the best I've ever read/listened to.

      The story is exquisitely good—intricately woven like a Persian tapestry, bitterly sweet like the song of Solomon—and the narration is superb—unavoidably underscoring the eclectic affinities with the American Gods.
    • 5/5
      Excellent doesn't even begin to describe how awesome this book is! The characters and their lives breathed from the pages and seared themselves into my mind. The jinni and the golem where creatures made of opposites. Fire. Earth. Yet they shared traits of curiosity, mirth, seriousness. I'm having trouble explaining all that happened in this book and why it's necessary for one to read it to understand that this story is as relevant today as it will be , as I feel, forever. Fear, longing, friendship, a sense of belonging and a sense of being different. The strains of belief and magic intertwine with friendship, being a stranger, love, and betrayal are beautiful as they are strong. In the golems case it is like watching a young child growing into adulthood and learning independence. The jinni learns compassion and that actions just may truly hold consequences. Distrust is misplaced often and true friendship is more than mere words on a page. This book came alive for me and is one of the best books I've read this year. I heartily wish there was more but the ending was perfect.
    • 5/5
      Wonderfully written and read, interesting, a great twist on different cultural myths.
    • 5/5
      I loved the title and the plot of the story
    • 4/5
      Although it was a little slow to start and I have to admit I got a tad bored at times, this book was just fantastic! I absolutely loved the folklore, the characters (the Golem and the Jinni were so badass, I loved them both for totally different reasons), the settings, the different cultures, the writing, it was all impeccably done. And add onto that the multiple perspectives and storylines that were woven together and DING DING DING, we have a winner!

      This would've definitely been a 5 star book were it not for the slow start in those first 150 pages or so. I don't really mind slow paced books that much but the beginning of this one made me a bit antsy, particularly due to the lack of plot. Sure, things were happening, but they weren't all that exciting. (In hindsight, all of the exposition was really important in setting up the story but I still feel like it could've been executed better). Regardless, I'm very happy I pushed myself because it was so worth it.

      I would definitely recommend The Golem and the Jinni but please, go into with one thing in mind: be patient. It might seem boring and overdrawn at first but trust me, when it all comes together in the end your mind will be blown (ALL THE PLOT TWISTS I TELL YOU!).
    • 4/5
      This book is nice, culturally rich original and well written.
    • 3/5
      I picked this book up when a friend recommeneded it, and I finally got around to reading it. The first few chapters I was hooked, but then I was finding it harder and harder to get through. The book is good, but just so slow to read. When I finished I felt like I read a 800 page book. I really enjoyed the characters. They were all beautifully written and their stories were so interesting. I know that there was some symbolism in the writing style tying in with how the two main characters were feeling, thinking and seeing the world, but I just struggled with getting through the book. Chapters were 20+ pages each, and were slow, the writing felt slow, and I was reading the book slow. I'd recommend this book, but maybe have a more fast paced book that you're reading too.
    • 4/5
      Chala is a Golem, a creature made of clay created for one man. Ahmad is a Jinni, a creature born of fire, bound by man in a cuff of iron. Both find themselves in New York City at a time when many immigrants are coming in. Both are trying to find who they are and how they fit into this place populated by people. Chala and Ahmad have very different natures that conflict and yet they find themselves in an odd friendship that helps with their loneliness. A force is at work however that threatens to tear not just their friendship but their very existence apart - the man who created one and bound the other is also in New York City searches for immortality and trying to gain it from them.A well-told story that was entertaining and thoughtful. I enjoyed reading about New York City and all the neighborhoods - I could almost hear, feel and smell myself in that place and time. I found I enjoyed learning the stories of the characters, not just Chala's and Ahmad's but the other characters as well. Am looking forward to the next book.
    • 5/5
      Best story and narration I’ve heard in a long long timr
    • 5/5
      The characterization in this one was superb! There were no superfluous characters - everyone had a back story, a clear motivation. The author cleverly portrays the concerns and anxieties of immigration in the late 19th century through two "magical" characters. The themes of immortality and freedom are woven throughout. A fantastical - yet profound - read.
    • 4/5
      The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

      ★★★★ ½

      I have to admit, even with the other great reviews I’ve read, I was hesitant in reading this book. The description just didn’t seem like my type of genre but with so many people suggesting it, I had to give it a try. I was not disappointed by this debut novel! I loved the characters so much and I found myself completely invested in what would happen. I adored Chava and Ahmad, through the good and the bad. Even the secondary characters all play important roles – there was not one character that I felt was unneeded in this wonderful book. There were times I was baffled with where the book was going and where the menagerie of characters were leading me but the author did a great job of answering all my questions, no stone was left unturned. And the ending just seemed so perfect to me. Towards those last 80 pages I was completely entranced on where everything was going – so entranced that my husband talking got nothing but dirty looks and shushes from me. He was not to talk to me until I was able to finish and wrap my mind around this tale. Amazing indeed, a favorite for the year!
    • 5/5
      A wonderful, unusual storyline that really made me laugh n smile.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the thoroughness of each character's background story and how they intertwined together.
    • 4/5
      I really had no idea what I was in for when I started this book. Like many others, I would suppose, I chose this book based on the beauty of the cover, the intrigue of the title, and the knowledge that many others enjoyed it.I really do not want to say too much, as I believe going into this book, as I did, with little-to-no knowledge of the plot, is the best way. The story follows the two characters, the Golem and the Jinni, and how they both arrive on Ellis Island and how their stories connect. Each of their stories is fully realized and neither story is stronger or weaker than the other. When the characters meet, the story becomes that much stronger as their lives intertwine.Personally, I preferred the story of the Golem, Chava, to that of the Jinni. At the end of the book it is her that I feel compelled to continue following. I am left wanting to go with her to the dock and see what comes next.I know none of this is helpful as a "review", but I find that the nature of this tale is one that makes it difficult to encapsulate in any kind of summary. At the heart of The Golem and the Jinni is a unstructured look at human nature from an outside perspective. Overall, it is a post-modern fairy tale filled with unsteadiness, doubt, and violence. If either of those ideas sound interesting to you, I would recommend you give this a read.
    • 5/5
      Long story but interesting and good fun. I recommend it.
    • 4/5
      For most of the book, I found this tale of a golem and a jinni in turn-of-the-century New York compelling; on finishing it, I suddenly find I have a much more jaundiced view. Perhaps the book deserves credit for not taking an easy way out to its characters' problems, but the climax and resolution of the plot highlighted some unpleasant facets of the book - facets that had been there all along if I had paid sufficient attention. Criticisms aside, it's a cold book, set in a version of our world where genies, golems, and transmigration of souls are not merely plausible, but factual; and yet there is ultimately no moral metaphysics underpinning these metaphysical details. The plot is a melodrama. Here are the criticisms (spoiler): the author plays favorites - certain characters' lives are charmed; no matter how much danger they are in from others or from themselves, they'll survive; while other characters are basically fodder, available to die to make a point (such as, this villain is ruthless). Surely that's always true, but it shouldn't be so obvious. Characters can be counted on not to open up to one another when they ought, but for their secrets to emerge indirectly, in ways that cause the most dramatic ruptures. Finally, near the end of the book, various characters act in ways - make threats, give up - that don't make sense given what the characters know about each other. Still, for most of the book, I enjoyed where I thought it was going.
    • 5/5
      Magical and completely immersive! Since going to the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side I've been obsessed with the lives of the people who lived there... This book grabbed me and took me back to the turn of the century to be part of their lives ♥️
    • 3/5
      A bit melodramatic, but a good vacation read.
    • 4/5
      A nice twist on folk mythology, the consequences of superhero/superpower pairings, and a bygone New York city. Very much driven by the story on the page without being overly literary.
    • 5/5
      Very satisfying novel. Good characters, solid writing, and a well-paced plot that kept me reading happily right to the end. The historical and cultural details were carefully researched as well, which added a lot to the overall pleasure. I don't normally like fantasy, but in this case the fantasy elements seemed natural and didn't dominate the story.
    • 4/5
      This is a nice blend of historical fiction and fantasy. Lovely characters. Even the ending avoids being too pat. Fun.
    • 4/5
      Long but enjoyable story of two fantastic creatures getting together in 1899 NYC.
      Has clever plotting and interesting characters. I enjoyed it. Helene Wecker has a sequel that just came out.
    • 4/5
      The innocence of the young Golem's clay built magical character always trying to please humans is opposed by the cynical and ancient fire-ey Jinni creature, who seems exasperated by everything about the lowly human people that surround them. The stately Golem's flat affect in spite of her fears of releasing her extreme powers unwisely causes her to seek friendship and wisdom from her seemingly opposite partner in secrets who is often emboldened to take risks in spite of being a bound creature himself. Circumstances and interactions with multiple characters who support or abuse the two mystical protagonists along the way are used by Wecker to deeply develop and set up the histories and rules of magic that intertwine and build up to the finale. The storytelling is pleasing and the set up will put you in a perfect state of anticipation for the bittersweet and well crafted but underwhelming end. That you can tell is not an end. But a set up for book two. I am uncomfortable for how these characters were left with much unresolved. I kept hoping that the mystics could either find comfort in a home with humans, or return to a community of their own kind. I guess I will have to wait for the next book!
    • 4/5
      Although fantasy isn't my favourite genre I was persuaded to try this audiobook because the narrator, George Guidall, is excellent. And I found that I quite enjoyed it. I see LT has labelled it as the first in a series. I'm not sure if I liked it enough to continue with the series but you never know.In Jewish legend a golem is a clay figure brought to life by magic. A jinni (sometimes spelled djinn and anglicized to genie) is a supernatural being in Arabic mythology able to take human and animal forms. The famous Aladdin's Lamp story featured a jinni. Both these beings end up in New York City in the late 19th century. The golem was made in Poland by a magician called Yehudah Schaalman at the request of Otto Rotfeld who wants a submissive woman for a wife when he emigrates to the United States. Otto dies on the sea voyage which means the golem has no master. A rabbi recognizes what she is when he sees her in the street and takes her in. He teaches her how to behave in public but he also explores ancient texts to see if he can figure out how to get another master for the golem (if she wants one). The jinni was in a metal olive oil container that was brought to a metalworker for repairs. His work on the bottle caused the jinni to be released but he was imprisoned in a human form by a bracelet that had been put on him. The jinni learned the metal working trade and partnered with the man who had released him from the bottle. Both the golem and the jinni were busy during the day with work but as they didn't sleep at night they often wandered the streets and, inevitably, ran into each other. The story goes on to explore their interactions and their lives.Good escapist fiction.
    • 4/5
      Historical fantasy based in New York at the turn of the 20th century, the Golem is a creature from Jewish folklore made of earth and water, and the Jinni is creature from Arabian mythology made of fire and wind. These two become animate beings and each follows a separate path to New York city, where each is mentored by a compassionate individual, the Golem by a rabbi and the Jinni by a tinsmith. They are drawn together by the ability to be fully authentic in the other’s company.

      The book is written in a literary style, focused on characters, but also involving a layered plot that is intricately woven together into a cohesive whole. I found the beginning and end compelling, with a bit of a lull in the middle. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the ethnic communities and the characters’ excursions around the city.

      This book is packed with insights into human nature, free will, destiny, freedom, duty, the consequences of actions, good vs. evil, selfishness vs. altruism, and, basically, what is means to live a meaningful life. I think it was a brilliant move by the writer to make these characters non-human, but still struggling with very human questions. It makes them easier to relate to a variety of situations, such as immigrants trying to fit into a new environment, or a “different” individual being singled out for their “otherness,” or the ability to form close friendships with those from very different cultural traditions. They struggle with questions of whether it is possible to go against one’s nature and whether we are bound to a specific fate. Recommended to anyone that enjoys books that examine the human condition utilizing elements of fantasy, fables, legends, or myths to do so.
    • 5/5
      This was the best book I read this year. Scratch that: this was best book I've read in a long time that was written in past few years. This extremely well written ans nicely structured too. Picked this up at a local book store knowing nothing about it other then the fact it called the Golem and the Jinni and it was in the past. I had just finished Arabian Nights, so I decided to read this book and it was a perfect transition. Not going to tell you much of the plot because if you read it you'll know what I mean, but also not knowing much about this book is better than knowing too much.

      To start with this book we enjoyable from start to finish. Not many books I read these days (the ones written today in the modern world I mean) have the same effect on me. They usually start out boring and the end with a cliff hanger. Not this one. It starts out strong and finishes with a ending that doesn't leave you hanging. Helene Wecker writes like an old soul, George Eliot comes to my mind. The book is set up a lot like Middlemarch t be honest. This book is not really centered around a plot either. The paperback I own even has an Q&A were she says her characters took over the story, I can see that. This is a great example of a character study book. The story focus on the character rather then the plot. It was also interesting that there was no essential main character. There were two main ones, but several other characters you loved.

      What makes this book worth reading is it's how fantasy should be written. You don't even knowledge the fact it's fantasy when you're reading the book. I think it was the subject matter in the book. It focused on immigrants in the turn of the century. However, now that I'm done with the book, I got hits of talk about depression, suicide attempts, loneliness, misfits, mix marriages, and a bunch of other hidden themes that really makes this book worth he read. Not to mention she made the Golem and the Jinni so human it was impossible not to like them.

      Other reasons to read this book: if you're like me you won't be able to stop thinking about this book. When I wasn't reading the book I kept thinking what if I was a Golem or a Jinni? I thought about how they couldn't eat or sleep. How they found each other and walked together every night talking about various things. I thought about how they are like people my age today looking for a place in the grown-up world. Even questioned if the Statue of Liberty was a golem too. Honestly, this is the type of book that stays with you. I wouldn't be surprised to see a movie based on the book within a few years, but kind of don't want a movie because it might ruin the magic of the book.

      But seriously, read this book. It's fantasy how the genre should be written.
    • 5/5
      Gripping, seductive, dream-like and philosophical. A chronicle of religion and dangerous magic and faith and a portrait of early immigrant New York; also a fairy tale and a love story (or three). Delicious.
    • 4/5
      Once I was finally able to get into it, I loved this book. There are a number of stories that weave together beautifully to make a comprehensive whole. There are a few issues, and the ending was a little odd. But still, a great book I'll definitely want to read again.
    • 4/5
      No doubt often compared to Michael Chabon, this is genre situated in Jewish, Arab, and immigrant culture in NYC, and is a sweet love story of star-crossed lovers as well as an adventure with evil wizards. Great climax and possible sequel.