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  • The Golem and the Jinni

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Helene Wecker
  • Narrated by: George Guidall
  • Length: 19 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (204 ratings)

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The Golem and the Jinni

Written by: Helene Wecker
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Publisher's Summary

Audie Award Finalist, Fiction, 2014

Helene Wecker's dazzling debut novel tells the story of two supernatural creatures who appear mysteriously in 1899 New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a strange man who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic. When her master dies at sea on the voyage from Poland, she is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York Harbor. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian Desert. Trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago, he is released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop.

Struggling to make their way in this strange new place, the Golem and the Jinni try to fit in with their neighbors while masking their true natures. Surrounding them is a community of immigrants: the coffeehouse owner Maryam Faddoul, a pillar of wisdom and support for her Syrian neighbors; the solitary ice cream maker Saleh, a damaged man cursed by tragedy; the kind and caring Rabbi Meyer and his beleaguered nephew, Michael, whose Sheltering House receives newly arrived Jewish men; the adventurous young socialite Sophia Winston; and the enigmatic Joseph Schall, a dangerous man driven by ferocious ambition and esoteric wisdom.

Meeting by chance, the two creatures become unlikely friends whose tenuous attachment challenges their opposing natures, until the night a terrifying incident drives them back into their separate worlds. But a powerful menace will soon bring the Golem and the Jinni together again, threatening their existence and forcing them to make a fateful choice.

Marvelous and compulsively listenable, The Golem and the Jinni weaves strands of folk mythology, historical fiction, and magical fable into a wondrously inventive and unforgettable tale.

©2013 Helene Wecker (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Golem and the Jinni

Average Customer Ratings
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Fantastic - Amazing - Wonderful

To date, I have purchased 40 titles on Audible. Up until today, my favourite novel was "Lincoln in the Bardo" with "Born to Run" a close second - that was until "The Golem and the Jinni". Where do I begin? The content? The narration? It was the best novel I have listened to since becoming a member.
I am definitely going to use my next credit on a George Guidall narration. What a rich, varied voice - it fits so well with the story. 19 hours is a looooong book, but each time I got into my car I could not wait to revisit New York thanks to the narrator. And the story - absolutely wonderful job Helene Wecker. I will also look for more of your work on Audible as well.
Do yourself a favour - buy this book!

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5 people found this helpful

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Pretty Good

I really enjoyed hearing and learning about these legends of two very different cultures from that of my own. A nice look into the immigrant experience with just the right amount of magic and folk lore. At times maybe a little slow going for me, but thats a very minor critique. Overall it was interesting, performed well, and tied up nicely by the end.

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2 people found this helpful

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  • JOE
  • 2023-06-15

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I resisted reading this for a long time, because I was worried that it would be a sad appropriation of the myths and lore of other cultures, but I was completely one over. And as a sidenote, the magic apposite exist in this book, is a minor element, and does not drive the plot, or save it, But provides background for the creatures. This is a must read of contemporary fiction.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A lovely, decadent tale

Very few authors are capable of the kind of magical realism that Helene Wecker masterfully creates is this beautifully imagined story. The narrator seemed to convey a sort of aged, wise empathy in his approach to the characters that added to the old world and fairytale-like setting. Wonderful! #Audible1

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Great old-fashioned story telling - perfect winter listen

A bit of myth, a bit of reality, some NYC, good insights, likeable characters, expert performance - I loved this!

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    4 out of 5 stars

Sweet story of becoming oneself

I liked the characters but the plot is predictable. I would consider this a good, easy leisure read.

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  • Jax
  • 2023-06-11

A New Favourite

I loved this tale and the narrator was perfect. Every character was fully fleshed out and its artful telling will stay with you like a fairy tale of old. I’m glad to have finally gotten around to reading it in time to read the sequel.

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I enjoyed it more than I expected

I had already seen this title recommended automatically but honestly I wanted to avoid yet another story located in New York. I’m tired of stories that happen in the United States! I gave this one a chance though, and found, like others who have commented, that I just couldn’t stop listening! The perfect recipe of magic, moral philosophy, varied and interesting characters, suspense, culture, and history. The pace was quick and exciting but somehow there was room for musings about different aspects of human nature, discussion about free will, religion, cultural traditions, and relationships! Finally, the reader did a magnificent job with his accents, tone, dramatic pauses and practiced storytelling abilities. He was a treat to listen to, and sometimes re-listen, just for his technical skill. I’m glad I gave this book a chance, and recommend it highly.

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Really good!

Great narration! And lovely story that went by quickly considering it’s one of the longer ones I have listened to

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Riveting and brilliant

This is a fantastic tale of drama, action, romance, villains, everything beautiful that is all wrapped up into a magical world of reading.

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