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abbie_ 's review for:
The Golem and the Jinni
by Helene Wecker
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As if I needed any more proof that @jobis89 has excellent taste in books and knows exactly what I'll love after reading The Hearts Invisible Furies she got me for Christmas, I then read the second book she got me for Christmas - this one! If you need some escapism from the real world right now but don't fancy tackling a particularly complex fantasy novel with lots of worldbuilding, let me recommend you The Golem and the Djinni!
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Set in New York in 1899, The Golem and the Djinni is a blend of Jewish and Islamic mythology. Chava is a golem, a woman constructed of clay and brought to life by an ex-rabbi who dabbles too deeply in dark magic, brought to New York from Poland by her master/husband. Ahmad is a djinni, trapped for thousands of years in a copper flask and eventually released in New York by an unsuspecting tinsmith repairing what he thought was an oil flask. They both attempt to navigate New York, but something ominous threatens their newfound lives.
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I loved the way Wecker seamlessly weaves the magic and mythology into the everyday lives of everyday people. I obviously have no frame of reference, but she seems to nail New York at the turn of the 20th century, with so many people from different cultures migrating to the 'New World' to try to make a bettIer life for their families. There's a sizeable cast of characters, and while some of them remained a bit 2D (looking at you, Sophia) most of them are wonderfully drawn. Maryam, Arbeely, Saleh, Michael, Anna, and of course Chava and Ahmad.
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At the beginning the chapters alternate between Chava and Ahmad and it took me a good 150 pages to properly warm up to the Djinni's storyline. Chava's interested me more, a supernaturally strong woman no longer bound to a master attempting to blend in while having no knowledge of the world just hooked me instantly. But then their storylines begin to merge as they cross paths and I loved both! I read 645 pages in two days so that should give you an idea of how addictive this story is!
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It's not always action-packed, but Wecker's beautifully atmospheric writing will keep you captivated, and the different storylines happening keep the plot moving along at a good trot! Definitely recommend for some much needed escapism in these troubling times.
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I also just learned that Chava and Ahmad are based on Wecker’s and her husband’s own experiences as the daughter and son of Jewish and Arab immigrants and this makes me love it even more.
.
Set in New York in 1899, The Golem and the Djinni is a blend of Jewish and Islamic mythology. Chava is a golem, a woman constructed of clay and brought to life by an ex-rabbi who dabbles too deeply in dark magic, brought to New York from Poland by her master/husband. Ahmad is a djinni, trapped for thousands of years in a copper flask and eventually released in New York by an unsuspecting tinsmith repairing what he thought was an oil flask. They both attempt to navigate New York, but something ominous threatens their newfound lives.
.
I loved the way Wecker seamlessly weaves the magic and mythology into the everyday lives of everyday people. I obviously have no frame of reference, but she seems to nail New York at the turn of the 20th century, with so many people from different cultures migrating to the 'New World' to try to make a bettIer life for their families. There's a sizeable cast of characters, and while some of them remained a bit 2D (looking at you, Sophia) most of them are wonderfully drawn. Maryam, Arbeely, Saleh, Michael, Anna, and of course Chava and Ahmad.
.
At the beginning the chapters alternate between Chava and Ahmad and it took me a good 150 pages to properly warm up to the Djinni's storyline. Chava's interested me more, a supernaturally strong woman no longer bound to a master attempting to blend in while having no knowledge of the world just hooked me instantly. But then their storylines begin to merge as they cross paths and I loved both! I read 645 pages in two days so that should give you an idea of how addictive this story is!
.
It's not always action-packed, but Wecker's beautifully atmospheric writing will keep you captivated, and the different storylines happening keep the plot moving along at a good trot! Definitely recommend for some much needed escapism in these troubling times.
.
I also just learned that Chava and Ahmad are based on Wecker’s and her husband’s own experiences as the daughter and son of Jewish and Arab immigrants and this makes me love it even more.