• The Golem and the Jinni

  • A Novel
  • By: Helene Wecker
  • Narrated by: George Guidall
  • Length: 19 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (18,668 ratings)

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The Golem and the Jinni  By  cover art

The Golem and the Jinni

By: Helene Wecker
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, April 2013 - The Golem and the Jinni delivers the glimpses into the past that make historical fiction so satisfying, combined with the power of well-told fantasy. New York at the dawn of the 20th century is a city teeming with life as newly-arrived immigrants find their footing in an unfamiliar land. This cultural melting pot is manifested in the story's two titular characters: the golem, a figure from Jewish myth, and the jinni, a spirit from Arabian folklore. The two creatures - normally bidden to serve human masters -find themselves unmoored by circumstances and with no one to serve. Their chance meeting begets an unforgettable journey through the lovingly-crafted city, and provides an outsider's perspective on both the mundane and transcendent in the human experience. Even if fantasy isn't normally in your wheelhouse, this incredible premise – paired with George Guidall’s performance - is sure to deliver. Michael, Audible Editor

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Fiction, 2014

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 listenable, The Golem and the Jinni weaves strands of folk mythology, historical fiction, and magical fable into a wondrously inventive and unforgettable tale.

©2013 Helene Wecker (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Featured Article: The top 100 fantasy listens of all time


When compiling our list of the best fantasy listening out there, we immediately came up against the age-old question: Is this fantasy or science fiction? The distinction is not as clear as you may think. Dragons, elves, and wizards are definitely fantasy, but what about wizards that also fly space ships? (Looking at you, Star Wars.) For the sake of fantasy purity, the top 100 fantasy listens include the best audio works in all manner of fantasy subgenres.

What listeners say about The Golem and the Jinni

Average customer ratings
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  • 3 Stars
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An Engrossing Tale

I enjoyed this book very much. There were times when I wondered how the author could possibly weave all these characters together, but, in the end, it was done beautifully. The narrator was wonderful as well.

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a love story maybe?

a really entertaining look into humanity as seen from supernatural beings. kept me engaged through out.
thank you

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Fascinating and a satisfying read

I Really was engaged into the story from the first. A long winding road, thoroughly engrossing and satisfying.

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My new favorite book!

This was just such a beautiful story. I loved it! The character development was so 3 dimensional and I felt so connected to them. Loved!

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sweet story that meandered a little bit.

I love the story. a little slow in parts, but sweet and fulfilling. beautifully written.

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Loved it!

Completely surprised at how much I really liked this book. Bought during 2 for 1 and couldn’t stop listening to it! Finished in 2 days!

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EPIC

What a fantastical experience I enjoyed on the journeys of the Golem and the Jinni! The author and the narrator skillfully wove a rich tapestry of lives, events and places that came together in my mind like a movie of epic proportions! Adventure, mystery, fantasy and romance in historical settings and contexts made this an unforgettable tale!

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Great book, recommend!

It was an entertaining book. The writer did a wonderful job of weaving various stories together and bringing the characters to life. It was thoughtful, elegant, and a little melancholy with a solid, not depressing end. Also, the reader was great! his voices and characterizations really worked, and it was calming to listen to in the evening

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liked it by the end

parts of this one drug on for me. however by the end I was back into it. when the next comes out I'll probably listen to it also.

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Intriguing

Enjoyed the beautiful prose. Loved the narration. Found this story fascinating having known very little about Golems or Jinns. A captivating audible story.

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