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

A wonderful book, rich in detail, back story, and lore

An interesting human interest piece for ancient myths come to life in turn of the century New York.

Loved this one!

The performance was flawless! At times I found myself missing that voice! The story was fantastic, it really was. At times it got slower but I didn't mind. I was thrilled with this book, very glad I decided on it.

Intriguing, completely captured my attention

Where does The Golem and the Jinni rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Hmm. I think this is in my top 10 or 20 (I have listened to a lot of books!). I do not normally listen to sci-fi so it felt a little risky but I am so glad I took the chance A book hits the top of my list if it stays with me long after finishing, was more about character than flash or crash, and had some kind of redeeming message, and wasn't so bleak that I was depressed for days after (I don't need happy-go-lucky but prefer more positive stories, at least endings)

What other book might you compare The Golem and the Jinni to and why?

Honestly, I can't think of one. Since I listen to non-fiction or historical fiction most of the time, this was totally unique for me, though it takes place in the past (fun).

Which scene was your favorite?

The nighttime exploration of the parks, the sense of discovery.

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

I didn't but it kept me up way too late at night listening to it! Most definitely the audio version of "couldn't put it down"!

Any additional comments?

Take a chance on this one, it is worth it. It is a special book.

Perfect narration for an interesting story

What made the experience of listening to The Golem and the Jinni the most enjoyable?

The tone of the narration had a very storylike quality to it, which fit it perfectly. It added to a good story with interesting characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really enjoyed Yehuda Schaalman. Complex, and manages to be humorous, pitiable, and scary at different points.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Some immigrants came here from a different world. Some came here from a MUCH different world.

Very good story

Well written and read well. Enjoyed the story very nuch. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an interesting listen.

Excellent Narrator, Inventive story

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

The creativity of the author in describing her characters and the situations they find themselves in.

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

This is my first time listening to George Guidall, and his take on the book added a lot to my enjoyment of the book

If you could take any character from The Golem and the Jinni out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The Jinni, although entirely self absorbed, was fascinating. He had such a vast sweep of knowledge and experience. He'd be interesting to talk with. As I think about him now though, I'm not sure I really know how he'd be as a conversationalist. His attention span seems short, and I don't feel he'd be easily entertained. Funny to think about a character in that way.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the explication of the immigrant experience from these different beings. The golem was so innocent, and the jinni so arrogant. Reading so much about the Syrian community in New York is interesting considering the news about all the refugees. They seem so much like every other immigrant establishing themselves, making a new life. The historical perspectives were well done, and the fantasy parts were mostly interesting - sometimes awkward and repetitive. Nonetheless, I couldn't put the book down.

Human nature as seen from the outside

What made the experience of listening to The Golem and the Jinni the most enjoyable?

The ability of the Jenni and the Gollum to "see and study" human nature in all of it's beauty and ugliness

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

The heart wrenching conflicts that arose from stupidity, arrogance, and lack of communication

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

EVERYTHING!! He is the absolute best

If you could take any character from The Golem and the Jinni out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The Gollum to hear more about human nature

Marvelous story telling

Any additional comments?

I didn't expect to like this book, but the writing is seamless and the story completely engrossing. I was sorry when it ended. One of the most creative books I've read, and the writing is so good that the unbelievable heroes of the story are made real and completely familiar.

Loved it

I loved this story. It's been a long time since I listened to a book and felt so satisfied by the ending.

Wonderful, enchanting escape!

George Guindall's narration was perfect, beautiful. The story... one of the best novels I've read in years. The kind of story that you "live in" and not just read.