• 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
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Performance
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
    1,553
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    174

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Incredibly delightful

An expert performance of a gripping, intertwining, multicultural tale. The author explores morality, motivation, nature and humanity. The best, most original, story I've heard in years.

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Amazing!

Very interesting and unpredictable story..i love it when i never know what could happen next. And as an Egyptian/Arab it was really surprising how the well the author portrayed the Arabic culture and names and history , its like its nothing you can just research, you have to be a native to know that! Amazing

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An extraordinary tale

Not my usual genre, but a very enchanting and engrossing story. The performance was perfect for this book. Recommended for something different

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mystery, Magic and beauty

A wondrous look into the mysteries of faith, Legend and love. Masterful storytelling . Read this book.

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  • JC
  • 01-26-19

Kept me interested....

Really enjoyed hearing this on my drive to and from work! It kept my interest!

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Fantastic

I just finished listening to the Golem and the Jinni for the second time; this time with my sister, ..... and incredibly, like the story, it was even better!

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  • AZ
  • 05-13-16

Didn't want it to end

This didn't follow the normal path and that's one of the things I loved about it. I couldn't get the story and it kept me guessing. So glad I listened to this!!

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Great Book

Long and confusing at times but really enjoyed it. The narrator was amazing and did very well going between characters

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My favorite novel of all time -- so far

Exquisite writing and performance! This book has everything I want:

Heart
Intrigue
Enough (but not too many) rich characters with special skills
Explorations into the power of relationships and community
Insider perspectives into diverse cultures and religions
The complex flavor of New York City
Historical details
Magic

I'm eagerly awaiting for your next book, Helene!

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Old timey New York, myths, & cultures

Loved this audiobook! The writing and narrating are both so well done and wonderful on the brain and ears. Best imaginative story I've heard in quite a while.

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