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

Great concept

Loved the fresh idea and the writing. I was disappointed when it was over and can’t wait to read more from this author.

Fantastic story with perfect narrator

So good! Couldn’t get enough. Will be looking for more books by Wecker, and hoping she got the same narrator, who’s voice and inflections were so well matched to the story that it felt fated.

So good

I was sad when I finished this. Not for its content, but because it was finished. I loved the story and the characters so much, I didn’t want it to end. Thankfully there’s a sequel, which I can’t wait to start. The narrator is an excellent storyteller for an excellent tale.

Unique

The story is very long—-could use editing in that regard, but fun and fascinating in any event.

A diverse Friendship

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

I felt this book would be different from the title. I do pick stories by title or by well known authors. But right off the bat it peaked my interest. A mud or clay person acting as if a human and a selfish jinni. How could anyone think to put two less likely characters together. When you read it, I couldn't wait to find out where this story was going to take me. It is worth the experience.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course the Character of the Golem. She is slow and steady. She never waivers her convictions. She is helpful and friendly. She cares in her own way. It amazes me why everyone falls for her but knowing how she was created was part of the fun about her.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

I could picture the scenes and characters in my mind. His voice was soothing and fit in with how i felt the characters would speak if they did. His tone and inflection was right on. He knew the story and presented it how it should have been done.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I was willing to break it up so I could have time with it. I was interested enough to keep coming back to hear how it would turn out. I loved the way the characters stayed in character and didn't really change their personalities for anyone or anything. The development of the friendship and movement of the story keeps the listener, listening.

Any additional comments?

I am so glad that the end was complete and the story didn't hang at the end. It was completed. I loved the doctor that was cured even though his life was short. I loved it that all the little pieces were wrapped up in the end.

very nice!

I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all. It is very good.

3rd Time Through

This is literally the third time in as many years that I have listened to this story. It’s absolutely brilliant! Wonderfully written and read with such fervor and inflection that you can feel every word. George Guidall has become one of, if not the singular, best voice actors and narrators. I highly recommend this book!

Absolutely Beautiful

Someone recommended this book to a friend and he told me he was reading it. I decided to see what it was about and very glad I did. It has everything - humor, is a love story, mystery, thriller all rolled into one beautifully told story. Going to start the next one tomorrow!

Something new in fiction

A different flavor of fantasy, but quite an interesting story. Was a worthy listen, but in the end fell just short of greatness. Performance was extremely well done.

Great narrator, excellent story

This story kept me interested the entire time. Characters were well developed. Looking forward to the sequel. A narrator can make or break and audio book for me and I really liked this one.