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

An absolutely wonderfully different love story

I could not stop listening to this book. I loved how the story took us through the lives of both the Golem and the Jinni, how they meet, and the wonderful way it ended. It was an epic story of longing, acceptance, of a stolen existence, and a wonderfully warm story of love.

Talk about fate

If you could sum up The Golem and the Jinni in three words, what would they be?

OMG!!!

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

The whole book; how all the characters just seem destine to meet. A Golem and a Jinni now what are the chance two myths, legends, meeting, wow.

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

The Golem is my favorite.

impatient

While I loved the novelty of the plot, I often found myself becoming impatient with it. There was often an extended build up of suspense without enough resolution to balance this out. In this way, it becomes very close to how our lives are in reality, maybe too close to be as enjoyable as a fantasy novel might be.

The performance was excellent.

pleasant read

if you are looking for something light and interesting this is a good book for you. can't ever go wrong with George the narrator

Magical Yet Grim

I enjoyed the narrator.
The writing was well done, although sometimes meandering.
The story was solid and dynamic.
The mood was magical yet grim.
It was vary long.
One of my favorite audio books, being up their with enders game.

Wonderful Story!!!!!

Absolutely Loved this book. I cannot wait until the next book.... please please please let there be many more adventures for these two wonderful characters. This is one of the most delightful and fun books I've had the pleasure of reading.

Just WOW

Simply a must that I will always remember. Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!! Five stars crossed the board.

What a surprise!

Surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Fantasy, historical, cultural, and I really cared about the characters, plus magically well written. Great summer read, highly recommend. I'd rate 4.5 if I could.

Oh My Gosh!

If you could sum up The Golem and the Jinni in three words, what would they be?

Totally enthralling

Who was your favorite character and why?

Golem (Hanna) the best hero of her age.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Splendid narration. A quiet delivery with nuiance voice. Very engrossing.

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

All is not as it seems.

Any additional comments?

Total enjoyment with the book. From start to finish. Author has excellent use of word and phrase and the intent is captured by the superb narrator. Really a great experience.

Fantastic story, I didn't want it to ever end

What an amazing and unique story. I was so captivated by all the characters. The book was very satisfying and I love George Guidall's narration. I didn't want the story to end. I wanted to hear more about the fascinating Golem and Jinni exploring their world.