The Golem and the Jinni

by Helene Wecker
The Golem and the Jinni cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Magical Realism
Technical
  • ID: 3675
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • ISBN: 9780062110848
  • Publisher: Harper Perennial
  • Published: 2013-12-31
  • Reviews: 3

Chava, a golem created from clay through dark Kabbalistic magic, and Ahmad, a jinni freed from an ancient copper flask, find themselves in the heart of Lower Manhattan. Struggling to blend in with their immigrant neighbors, they mask their true selves while trying to make a life in this unfamiliar world. Their chance meeting sparks an unlikely friendship that challenges their opposing natures, until a terrifying incident forces them back into their separate worlds. As a powerful menace threatens their existence, the Golem and the Jinni must come together once more, confronting their differences and making a fateful choice that could change their lives forever. This enchanting tale weaves together strands of folk mythology, historical fiction, and magical fable into a compelling and unforgettable narrative.

Reviews
Fantasy Literature · 2025-10-18
mixed 3.50

The reviewer was captivated by the characters and the promise of poetry but felt the dark side of the story was not fully realized. They wished they could have loved the book more.

The reviewer was drawn to the characters and the poetic elements of the story, which made them want to love the book. However, they found that the darker aspects of the narrative didn't quite come together as they had hoped. The characters were compelling, but the overall execution left them wanting more. The reviewer appreciated the intricacy of the world-building and the unique blend of cultures, but felt that the story could have been more cohesive.

Quick quotes

    Drawn by its come-hither characters, its promise of poetry, and by its dark side in the form of a truly nasty character, I really, really wanted to love it.

    And yet, despite its many virtues, The Golem and the Jinni didn't quite live up to its promise for me.

    The characters are richly drawn and the world-building is impressive, but the story feels a bit disjointed at times.

SFF Book Review · 2019-07-19
wonderful 4.50

The reviewer found the book to be wonderful and tried to capture its magic in their review. They appreciated the blend of cultures and the unique perspective it offered.

The reviewer was thoroughly enchanted by The Golem and the Jinni, describing it as a wonderful book that blends Jewish and Arab folklore seamlessly. They particularly enjoyed the unique perspective it offered on immigration and cultural identity. The reviewer felt that the novel's exploration of these themes was both poignant and thought-provoking, making it a standout read. They also praised the author's ability to create a rich and immersive world that captivated them from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    I finally read The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. I tried my best in my review to put into words just how wonderful this book was.

    The blend of Jewish and Arab folklore is seamless and the characters are richly drawn.

    The novel's exploration of immigration and cultural identity is both poignant and thought-provoking.

Her Story Arc · 2017-11-05
engaging 4.00

The reviewer found the book to be a smooth read with a complex cast of characters. They appreciated the novel's ability to stand alone and its engaging narrative.

The reviewer enjoyed the smooth and engaging narrative of The Golem and the Jinni, which features a complex cast of characters that added depth to the story. They appreciated how the novel could be read as a standalone, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. The reviewer also highlighted the book's ability to weave together different cultural elements seamlessly, creating a rich and immersive world. They found the characters to be well-developed and the plot to be compelling, making it a enjoyable read from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    Overall, the Golem and the Jinni reads smoothly and has an exciting cast of complex characters.

    This novel works as standalone if you lack the background knowledge of the folklore.

    The characters are well-developed and the plot is compelling, making it a enjoyable read from start to finish.

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