The Golem and the Jinni: A Novel

Written by:
Helene Wecker
Narrated by:
George Guidall

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
48
Narrator
29
Release Date
April 2013
Duration
19 hours 45 minutes
Summary
“An intoxicating fusion of fantasy and historical fiction. . . . Wecker’s storytelling skills dazzle.' —Entertainment Weekly

A marvelous and absorbing debut novel about a chance meeting between two supernatural creatures in turn-of-the-century immigrant New York. 


Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay by a disgraced rabbi knowledgeable in the ways of dark Kabbalistic magic. She serves as the wife to a Polish merchant who dies at sea on the voyage to America. As the ship arrives in New York in 1899, Chava is unmoored and adrift until a rabbi on the Lower East Side recognizes her for the creature she is and takes her in.

Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire born in the ancient Syrian desert and trapped centuries ago in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard. Released by a Syrian tinsmith in a Manhattan shop, Ahmad appears in human form but is still not free. An iron band around his wrist binds him to the wizard and to the physical world.

Chava and Ahmad meet accidentally and become friends and soul mates despite their opposing natures. But when the golem’s violent nature overtakes her one evening, their bond is challenged. An even more powerful threat will emerge, however, and bring Chava and Ahmad together again, challenging their very existence and forcing them to make a fateful choice.

Compulsively readable, The Golem and the Jinni weaves strands of Yiddish and Middle Eastern literature, historical fiction and magical fable, in a wondrously inventive tale that is mesmerizing and unforgettable.
Reviews
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Yasmini Persaud

The character development and journey depicted in this book is great. At first glance the story line seems slow pace, but there is so much going on in the background.

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Sivan B.

Not that was a great book. I agree with some other readers that the ending was slightly underwhelming. But incredibly well-written, interesting, compelling -- just. a great read. And well-narrated.

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Wednesday N.

Enjoyed this book!

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Jahan S.

Great story. Well written and beautifully voiced.

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Alyssa N.

I enjoyed this story and even my kids would be asking questions when I listened in the car.

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Dominic M.

Fun historical fantasy story.

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Michael W.

Embarrassing to say but I got this book back in 2013 and have been reading so much other stuff I just got to it. Great read, If your into esoteric language and magic come to life from the dark arts this is for you,,

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Kimyan G.

I am not even sure how I happened across this book but I am glad I did. It had all the components of a good book. Romance, mystery, and a good story. I felt empty when it ended because I had so many questions. I think I read that there is a part 2 in the world

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Rita M

Enjoyed the story greatly. It's long and we'll read, by reader who used to be The Only reader of audiobooks, George Guidel. A long calm book during a long task, which effectively shuts out the present world strife.

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Diana Lizardo

The narrator did a great a job, I wasn't that happy with the ending however it was a great book.

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Arlene Burd

This is a fun and fascinating read. A real stew of a plot that Wecker keeps simmering right to the end. Some of the language and syntax made me think she must have read a lot of Borges before writing this. The narrator, George Guidall, was, as always, suberb.

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Aubria Lamendola

Interesting tale involving Jewish folklore and Arabian mythology. Takes place 1899 NewYork, surprisingly a good novel and fantastically narrated!

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