The Golem and the Djinni (The Golem and the Jinni, #1)

by Helene Wecker

‘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.

• ISBN13: 9780007480197
• Publish Date: 1 January 2014 (first published 23 April 2013)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: The Borough Press
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 656
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[Joséphine]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Initial thoughts: For the most part, I don't like books told in alternating time settings. While thoughts and memories aren't chronologically ordered, lived experiences are. Stories that experiment with chronology usually throw me off and pull me out of the enjoyment. in the case of The Golem and the Djinni, I thankfully was so absorbed in the audiobook that the alternating times didn't bother me too much. I loved seeing how the lives of the golem and the djinni intertwined and the sinister undertones that fuelled this fantasy. The mystery propelled the plot forward despite the slow pace, which actually allowed it to unfold step by step.

Also, there's a bakery involved and baking signifies refuge. Naturally, I highly approve of that!

[Hillary]

 

OMG, This book has to be one of my favorites this year! It is the story of a Golem and a Jinni who finds themselves in New York City and they have to find how to live. I must admit when I read this book, I had in my head a different way of the Golem and the Jinni. But they take real human bodies and do real human things in the book. It makes for a good story. I also loved the back story and how the author entwines myth and folklore into the story.

The one thing that worried me was I was afraid that the it was gonna turns out like a sappy love story for a while there. I read with bated breath and was prepared to curse the author forever and ever if he took that route. It seems everybody and their mother want to put a damn love story in the book. Even when it won't make any sense or it makes the book cheezy. But thankfully this book did not turn out that way.  I was super pleased with the ending. it felt raw and real like it could really happen. The writing really evoked feelings in the reader.

I really like how it was set up in New York at the beginning of the century. I felt as if I was there with the characters and I could almost feel like I was in the New York in the book. The author captured the time perfectly.

I also loved how all the story lines came together. They started out separately and I was wondering how the author would manage to tie them in all together and when she did it was pure magic.

I must warn potential readers though this book is more of a character study than a book heavy on plot. It goes into lengthy details that may bog down some readers. I thought it was beautiful writing, but I know some people like their books to have a lot of action in them. If you do then you may not like this book.

Overall I absolutely LOVED this book. This is one I will come back to time and time again.This review was originally posted on Adventures in Never Never Land

[Briana @ Pages Unbound]

3.5 stars

Review to come.

[wyvernfriend]

More 4.5 than really 5 star but I really did enjoy the read, one of the best of the year.

It's a tale of a Golem and a Djinni in New York at the turn of the twentieth century. It's a romance, an exploration of what it means to be human and what it means to be different, interlaced with peril and complications. I liked the characters and watching their growth. This is an author I want to read more of.

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

This book has a rather slow start, The real action doesn't come in until the last third of the book or so. The characters are compelling as they struggle through a human world to keep you moving towards the big reveal.

[Beth C.]

I read *a lot* of books. I always have. I have found that, for me, there tend to be two different basic categories of books: First, those that are quick reads, very enjoyable, but not always lasting. Brain candy, if you will. The majority of books tend to fall into this category. Then there are the deeper, heavier books. Those that require the reader to slow down to properly enjoy the story, where reading too fast means finishing the book before you've properly digested it and ruminated on it. These kinds of books tend to be slightly more difficult to find, but leave you with a deep satisfaction. This second category is where The Golem and The Jinni falls.

Set in 1899 in New York, The Golem and The Jinni tells the story of Chava and Ahmad. Chava is a Golem, created in another country as a wife for a man who ultimately dies on the way to the New World. Ahmad is a Jinni, trapped in a bottle for untold years until accidentally set free by a man attempting to repair the bottle. Both are "impossible" creatures, both are adrift in their own ways and trying to get by in a place they neither asked to be, nor ever expected. And both are amazed when they accidentally meet one night on the streets of New York. Fire and earth, two compatible pieces of nature, they create a friendship - one that will be tested by their own natures as well as the appearance of another who seeks to control death itself.

This novel is an amazing debut. I have found that sometimes, if not most of the time, a book fails to live up to the hype. I'm thrilled that this story not only lived up to it, but surpassed it. The wordcrafting is beautiful - almost like a piece of music or a beautiful tapestry you can reach out and touch. The characters are special - not one of them fails to add something to the writing. New York, where the majority of the tale is set, is also a character with her own special graces and flaws. The history and the lore of these creatures, as well as the Jewish and Syrian communities, are all interwoven seamlessly. It's a fascinating combination of cultures and stories.

This a book that I will pass along to friends and family for them to read and enjoy. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

[kimbacaffeinate]

Last year I read a few articles about the most anticipated books for 2013 and debut authors to keep an eye on. The cover and title of The Golem and the Jinni immediately caught my eye. Once I read the synopsis and references to fans of Harkness’s Discovery of Witches and Morgenstern’s Night Circus I knew this book and I were destine to meet.

I have always been fascinated by the mythology of Golems and the powers of a Jinni and found this historical fiction to be; magical, breathtaking, romantic and memorable. I can hardly believe this powerful, enchanting and flawless novel is Helene Walker’s debut novel. She writes with the passionate skills of a seasoned writer, assuming complete control as she slowly immerses the reading into the tale leaving them breathless.

This tale takes us on a magical journey weaving the tale of two supernatural creatures as they arrive and take up residence in an immigrant community in 1899, New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made entirely of clay commissioned and brought to life by a disgraced rabbi who practices the dark art of Kabbalistic magic. The man who commissions her plans to make her his wife. He places her in a crate in the cargo of a ship and together they set sail. Despite the rabbi’s caution he awakens her aboard the ship, but he develops an illness on the voyage and succumbs to it. She finds herself without a master and walking the streets of New York. Ahmad a Jinni who hails from the Syrian desert was born of fire and has been trapped for centuries by a Bedouin wizard. A tinsmith in lower Manhattan accidentally releases him from a copper flask as he makes repairs to it. Bound in unbreakable Iron cuffs, he finds himself free but locked in human form. The tale that unfolds is captivating as we watch their lives unfold, and by accident intertwine. Walker spun a tale that completely enthralled me as she weaved in suspense, enlightenment, and the unlikeliest of friendships.

The characters in this tale are so remarkable and fleshed out I am almost giddy. I have long been fascinated by these mystical creatures and Walker’s interpretation of them was stunning. Chava's abilities and the characteristics the rabbi gifted her with are remarkable. Without a master she is slowly able to make decisions and reach conclusions on her own. I was fascinated by how clever she was and her thought process. Ahmad the Jinni is a curious creature who is often amused at mere humans but also finds himself fascinated by their beliefs and slowly we see him transform as he finds purpose. The author does a wonderful job of sharing his inner fears and longings. We learn about the community where they dwell and the author gives voice and depth to these secondary characters as she threads their stories into the tale and introduces them to the Golem and the Jinni. Each character from the ice cream maker to the newly arrived immigrant who makes himself an intricate part of the Sheltering House help shape and mold the events as they unfold.

Within the first few pages I knew that I had stepped into a world that I would not soon forget. Walker’s beautiful world building and thought-provoking tale quickly endeared itself to me. It is quickly evident that she is well versed in the time period, myths, and beliefs used to spin this magical story. The tale flowed effortlessly from past to present and from character to character as she slowly weaved the threads of each event and character together. As the tale unfolded, we began to piece together how the characters connected creating tension as we waited for the characters to understand. While I was anxious for the outcome, I found myself savoring the details of the city, the characters and the traditions of this small community. I became equally caught up in the secondary characters lives and troubles. The friendship that developed between the Golem and the Jinni was slow to build, believable and magical. A bond formed between them, while not quite a romance it evoked a romantic feeling in me and I found myself rooting for this unlikely duo. Walker touches on faith, love, good vs. evil and her attention to detail was riveting. At almost five hundred pages, it felt neither rushed nor long-winded. I love when a book holds me captive and I haven't a care about what page I am on or what I am supposed to be cooking for dinner because it means that I have once again found that high I chase when reading a good book. That feeling I get when the world slips away and I find myself transported into the world the author has created. Not only am I confident this will be one of my most memorable reads for 2013 I have a feeling this will be one that I recommend, re-visit and talk about for years to come.

Absolutely stunning and captivating I cannot recommend the Golem and the Jinni enough. Fans of Discovery of Witches will be enchanted by this tale. Unique and original with characters that will leave their mark on your soul. I cannot wait to see what Walker has in store for us next! ARC provided for unbiased review/ Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer