The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker

[sophia_sol]

Historical fantasy set in late 19th century New York, featuring a Golem woman and a Jinni man, and their experiences as immigrants and trying to find their place and who they are and what they want from life.

There were aspects of this book that I really enjoyed, and I loved reading all the Golem's sections, but overall I was frustrated with the kind of book it was, I guess? My biggest frustration is that I didn't particularly care about the Jinni, and he's one of the two main characters of the book! My other big frustration was with the plot choices made. The through-line of the semi-immortal evil wizard as the antagonist mastermind was just...idk, it didn't feel right for this book, to me. It didn't add anything to the themes the author was trying to develop, and in fact felt like a redirect of the reader's attention away from the more important and interesting aspects of the story

So although I appreciate the things the author was doing in this book (eg the depictions of community, identity, belonging, and making choices), the execution didn't work for me overall.

Comments

[lirazel]

I keep starting this book and not getting very far into it before I give up. I want to like it so much! It has all the things I most like in books! But stylistically, or something, there's a wall between me and enjoyment of it. Which is so disappointing! It's interesting to hear that someone else didn't click with it (though it sounds like we had different issues).

[sophia_sol]

Yeah it is always disappointing to end up not liking a book that seems up one's alley! I felt that way about this one too. I SHOULD have liked it and just didn't. I'm sorry that was your experience too!

[chestnut_pod]

Aw, that's too bad! I totally get your critique, and hopefully there will be other golem books out there that suit better.

I personally happily splashed around in Chava's sections and all the delicious historical detail (tin ceilings!) and found Ahmed's parts at least readable. I'll take that new golem book too, though!

[sophia_sol]

Do you happen to know of other golem books? Because I'd totally be there for that!

[chestnut_pod]

Yes! I have read three that I think fall in the SFF space rather than folklore/Bashevis Singer space.

Alice Hoffman (of Practical Magic fame) has a golem book titled The World That We Knew, which was one of my favorite books of last year and is definitely the most like the Wecker in terms of style and particulars, with added intense nature relationships. It is very much a Holocaust book, though -- the fact that I loved it so much despite that should speak to its quality, but I totally understand if that's not a genre you read! Then there is Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, in which the golem is much less of a character but nonetheless plays a huge symbolic role. And lastly there is Elie Wiesel's retelling of the folktale, The Golem, which is very beautiful to read if also Of Its Time in parts.

I also know through the grapevine that Terry Pratchett has a golem book, but I am afeared and haven't read that one.

[sophia_sol]

Ooh thank you, I'll take a look at these books!

Yes Terry Pratchett does have a golem book, Feet of Clay. I last read it as a teenager and really enjoyed it then, but I know that I do not have enough knowledge of Jewish culture and folklore to really judge how respectful he was about how he did golems. And I've been unable to find any reviews by jewish readers. If you ever do decide to read it I'd be interested in your thoughts!

[chestnut_pod]

I have been thinking of giving Pratchett another try after not quite jiving with him as a Youth — maybe I can start with Feet of Clay.

[sophia_sol]

As a youth I would have been shocked to hear you say such a thing about Pratchett, but he's not perfect and he's not for everyone. But when he's good he's very very good, so I do hope you find something to enjoy in his writing if you give him another try!