Helene Wecker's The Golem and the Jinni
Have you ever felt like a book was written just for you? Because that is kind of how I feel about this one. It's the story of a golem--a GIRL golem, created with curiosity and intelligence--whose master dies on the voyage to America in 1899, and she has to make her way in New York City. And it's the story of a jinni, imprisoned in a flask for a thousand years, who is inadvertently freed by a tinsmith. And it's the story of how they meet and become friends, exploring the city together, and also the story of how they try and fit into their respective communities (Jewish and Syrian). It's a lovely blend of Jewish and Arabic folklore, and also a pretty amazing story on its own. Wecker doesn't hurry anything, taking her time and letting everything unfold just as it should, so that we get to know the two fantastical creatures and everyone around them--good and bad. I hesitate to call this book perfect, but it was perfect for me. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.
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