Grade: 4.0
Topping out at 512 pages and 25 listening hours this book is brimming with magical realism, history, hope, lost dreams, and love that crosses the globe and ages. It’s an epic tale the weaves together the stories of a Golem, a Jinni, and ultimately people.
From the boroughs of turn of the 19th Century New York City to the ancient Syrian Deserts where Jinni ruled the lands, Wecker tells the tale of the unusual female golem, Chava, who lost her master only moments after her awakening and the Jinni, Ahmad, who was awakened from a lamp by a lowly tinsmith, without memory of how he was trapped there a thousand years ago.
This literary fantasy blew me away. There is a lot of detail, history, and depth to be unpacked and digested while reading. Stories intersect and characters meet and then become important later. Chava and Ahmad, while not human, share a deep humanity that is the primary focus of this story.
Humanity is the motif of The Golem and The Jinni. Humanity in all its forms. Good, bad, evil, kind – each are expressed and seen through the eyes of the childlike Chava and the jaded and soul scarred Ahmad.
My only complaint with this novel was the length. It’s just really long. I’m used to long books, but this one felt long which to me means that it could have used more editing. What to cut? I have no clue. But I’m sure something could have been cut out because it dragged in places.
Bottom Line: A book well worth reading if really long.
Audible Review: The reader was perfect keeping the large cast of characters straight for me.
Cybil Solyn
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