The Golem and the Jinni

A Novel

By: Helene Wecker

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 19 hrs and 42 mins

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

Pure, unadulterated magic

A delightful story. I love this book. I could listen to the narrator forever. A real prize of a book.

19th C NYC Streetscape

Would you try another book from Helene Wecker and/or George Guidall?

Yes

Would you be willing to try another book from Helene Wecker? Why or why not?

I think so, though this was a little plodding, the story was inventive and the descriptions were vivid.

What aspect of George Guidall’s performance would you have changed?

I am not sure whether it was the slow pace of the story development or his style but the experience of listening was slow and laborious.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Absolutely.

Not what I expected, and completely wonderful

I expected a romance, an interesting romance full of myth and maybe light and fluffy. This was not that. It is not a romance novel, but it is a character driven story with love at its core. Not physical love, but emotional connection and companionship. The romance is complicated, understated and deeply fulfilling. The story depicts two very different cultural neighborhoods in the heart of New York at the turn of the 20th century. The descriptions are interesting, telling, and evocative. They story is gripping.The characters feel true. The voices and accents are well done. Listen to this book.

A Magical Story

This is a book that presents a heartfelt story of two improbable creatures cast into New York City through circumstances out of their control. It describes their survival, their relationships, their trials & tribulations; their fears; their unexpressed love; and finally a common thread that binds them together. It's an interesting and moving story, well worth a credit.

Great Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I really liked this book. I don't typically read fantasy so I was a little hesitant about this book but I really liked it. The characters were well developed and I wanted to hear their stories. I liked the way all the characters were intertwined. It was very well written.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Golem and the Jinni?

When the Jinni went back home.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes where the Jinni and the Golem were discovering life in the city and seeing everything for the first time.

Wary critic liked it

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

George Guidall is a master at storytelling. He was the perfect fit for this book.

Any additional comments?

I was hesitant to purchase this audiobook, but based on the large number of great reviews, I finally went ahead and got it. I was pulled into the story quick. It was a great story and the lives of all the characters flowed very well into the overall story line. It's very hard to describe, but I really enjoyed the story and the narration. Highly recommend this book to all my friends.

Wow, Interesting

What did you love best about The Golem and the Jinni?

Very different from what I usually read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Golem and the Jinni?

The understanding of how the two main characters are entwined.

Which character – as performed by George Guidall – was your favorite?

Golem and Jinni

If you could rename The Golem and the Jinni, what would you call it?

same

Any additional comments?

Slow beginning for me, however, the story pulls you in and you just keep listening because then you start to wonder "how in the world is this going to end?". Definitely has an "aha" moment. I enjoyed it and now my husband is listening to it.

Interesting view of immigrant New York

This is an ambitious book, that might have benefited from more editing. But it painted a fabulous view of immigrant New York, turn of the century. And a mingling of several cultures that probably only could have mingled in New York. And Both the Jinni and the Golem are lovingly painted and fleshed out. The ethnic quality wore down on me though.
It's a good read. Not great but good.

Don't expect too much

Sweet and simple story full of long held traditions and the breaking of them. Magical, but rooted in reality. This is not a book I would normally listen to but the characters sucked me in. Worth a listen and George Guidall is superb, as always, but don't expect a lot of excitement or action. Definitely had a Sunday drive pace all the way through.

Brilliant performance!

What did you love best about The Golem and the Jinni?

I went into this somewhat skeptical about the premise, fearing that it might be too whimsical for my taste. To my delight, it turns out to be well-written, smart and thought-provoking. The performance is nothing less than wonderful. I can't say enough about the extraordinary job Mr Guidall did in bringing the characters to life.