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Comments (73)

Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Jefferson County Public Library.
What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 73 items
Feb 26, 2024FloraWest rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I am not usually a fantasy or a romance reader but this one really got me. The historical settings are vivid and interesting, the characters layered and the plot a page turner. An escapist read with really good writing-what a treat!
Oct 18, 2023xiaojunbpl12 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Ignorant of biblical/mythical guide, and strange creatures I hadn't eyed, but I was mesmerized. Golem became a bride; Jinni had to abide; People from worldwide, to the island on high tide; events collide, they hide, lives were tried, many…
Oct 10, 2023IndyPL_JaredW rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Apparently, this book was not for me. Someday I'll learn that I don't like Magical Realism. You'd think that with two leads that beings of myth and lore that there would be quite a bit of magic, but it didn't feel like it. Also, I listened…
May 04, 2023
"This book is full of wonder and meaning. It is a masterful look at the meaning of life." - Raven P.
Nov 18, 2022
Truly one of the most beautifully written books I've read. Wecker brilliantly combined three different cultures to create a brilliant story. If you like fantasy it's worth checking out. If you don't like fantasy it's still worth checking…
Sep 26, 2022RawlesKelly rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this story. It is very hard to believe that this is a debut novel. Wecker is an exceptional writer and certainly found her genre and style right off the bat. The way she blends the very human struggles of belief, assimilation,…
Aug 05, 2022JCLDanaS rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Slow-building, yet utterly gripping. With rich, imaginative descriptions, keen historical details, and detailed characters, I was immersed in the fantastical story of two unlikely beings, drawn together for inescapable reasons. The…
May 29, 2022glennho rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I love this book! Not since Kavalier and Clay have I read such a verbal masterpiece, rich in sonority and plot(s), with fascinating characters you grow to care so much about. My wife and I (60's) and daughter (29) each had the same…
Mar 26, 2022Cjcantrelljr rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The author creates two main characters that you like, though neither is human. The contagonist is human, but you hate him. A good story, easy to read. Check it out, but warning, you'll fall behind on your housekeeping and lawn chores.
Nov 13, 2021zimmleanna rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The Golem and the Jinni is a historical fantasy and one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It is a character driven story and although it’s not “action packed” it never felt slow because the characters are so compelling, even the…
Oct 05, 2021orwell2016 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you value excellent writing, unpredictable plot lines, and delightfully well done character developments out of the usual 'boxes' then dive and enjoy swimming through the pages.
Jul 18, 2021trickbag22 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
See The Hidden Palace for my comments on this absolutely fabulous novel
Jun 08, 2021mnack_0 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Interesting read. Entertaining. Not particularly skilled writing. More on the order of a summertime beach read.
Jun 02, 2021
love it!
May 27, 2021Cameron_Pryde rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is a beautiful novel that tells the story of, predictably, a Golem and a Jinni, both drastically out of their element in New York at the dawn of the 20th century. The characterization is fantastic, and by far the strongest part of the…
Jul 31, 2020volare rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
SOOOOOO good! Loved it! Historical/fantasy at its very best. Can't wait for the sequel!
Jun 16, 2020Hillsboro_RobP rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
High quality stuff that bounces between completely original and trope-following but still enjoyable. It contained some of the best treatment of religion in literature I've read for any genre- different perspectives with no one that just…
Apr 28, 2020Jhoward16 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved this book so much! Highly recommend it. I haven't read such a "classic" tale in a long time. I found the characters fascinating and learned for the first time what a Golem is. While I was rooting for the Golem, Chava, the whole…
Apr 02, 2020JCLJuliaV rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A solid historical fantasy with strong, complex characters that grow throughout the story. This is a fascinating read. Chava the golem and Ahmad the jinni are two mythical beings that, by definition, exist to serve. But when both are left…
Jan 25, 2020N13m4nd rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I was engrossed by the plights of the characters in this novel and wanted to see what would happen to them next. However, it felt to me that the author had several ideas for the end, couldn’t decide which one to go with, and so she…
JCLS_Ashland_Kristin
Jan 02, 2020JCLS_Ashland_Kristin rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Interesting historical/fantasy/romance. Apparently there is a sequel in the works...which I will be checking out for sure.
Dec 29, 2019brangwinn rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
It’s been a while since I have been so taken by the premise of a book and upon completion of reading, its one of my favorite books of 2019. A golem, a Jewish “slave” is made from clay by an outcast Rabbi to become the wife of a man heading…
Apr 01, 2019JCLHebahA rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Rich historical setting, compelling characters, and magic handled with a deft enough touch to keep from scaring away readers who don't typically read fantasy. Definitely more literary character study than plot-driven fantasy, but I enjoyed…
Mar 28, 2019BostonPL_JordanD rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Title/Author: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker Read This For: My library book group! Series/Standalone: Book one of a series Genre/sub-genre: Fantasy Book Format: Print Length: 486 pages Violence: Yes Well written/Editor…
Nov 19, 2018IndyPL_SteveB rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A beautiful historical/fantasy novel about immigrants from Europe and the Middle East making their way in 1899 New York City – including a female Golem and a male Jinni. A Golem is a legendary being from Jewish folklore, formed from clay…