• 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 (18,660 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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wow I absolutely LOVED this book!

The narrator made this story come to life like none before! This is going to be one of my very few favorite audiobooks! I couldn't stop listening and finished the entire book in two days! I can't recommend it more highly.

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Mixing of Two Cultural Myths

Really enjoyed this clever story. Myths can be modernized and this does a great job of bringing two together in an unexpected Way.

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One of my new favorite reads

An exquisite blend of historical fiction, mystic tradition, and magical fantasy. The intertwined stories of humans and mystic creatures are relatable while also being fantastic.

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Captivating

One of the best fiction I've read in every so many years! The character development, timeline, historical detail, tension and subtlety of emotion were exceptional. And I could Listen to George guidall read the phone book! This was one of his best readings. I'd give it 10 stars overall if it were possible!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful story

I really enjoyed this book. It was different and an unexpected love story. I would love to read more by this author and the narrator was excellent!

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Interesting and inventive

Creative story telling. Great narration. I enjoyed the personal journeys of the Golem and the Genie. Their growth.

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I absolutely loved this book.

Any additional comments?

I am not good at taking time to answer all the questions they have here about why I liked this book but I will say this, I Loved the writing style, word usage, the suspense that was built and the pulling upon my curiosity. I was drawn in and intrigued.

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Great Listen!

Narrator was perfect. Story was great. One on those stories I would think about throughout the day wanting to hurry and get to a place where I could sit and listen. I recommend for anyone who likes the not so sappy love story.

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Great story

Great storyline. Interesting and complex character development. The story kept my attention throughout the whole book. Enjoyed it thoroughly.

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An amazing and captivating story and storytelling

The story was well connected. I was never able to predict what would happened next.

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