After turning the last page, I felt a strong pang of homesickness to revisit its world. I called up a friend and told her that I would drop it off later in the week because it’s an instant recommendation.
The Golem and The Jinni is a historical fiction novel that takes place in several locations, the main two being 1890s Manhattan (with its proud, bustling communities) and the ancient Syrian deserts (with its opulent glass palaces and nomadic tribes). The characters are incredibly realistic and the story is told switching between perspectives. It is uncanny and exciting and transported me to another time and place, feeling so real that I was sucked into the book, barely registering the noise and commotion of the busy train I was on during commuting hours.
The story follows the main characters, a Golem and a Jinni, as their destinies intertwine and their choices affect others, both friend and foe. There’s magic, there’s freedom, there’s love, there’s mistakes, there’s murder, and there’s delicious fresh baked Challah. It’s an adventure that will give you fresh eyes for NYC and a modern take on ancient tales of Bedouin and Jewish tradition. Not to mention, the author raises many thought-provoking philosophical arguments and moral questions (both related and unrelated to Judaism) that her characters struggle with. Seeing these issues through the eyes of extreme characters, she brings new perspectives on everyday existential moral questions we ponder in our own lives. It’s not an overly religious book though, which I like, but a story-first novel that weaves powerful themes throughout in a subtle and meaningful way.
Overall, I loved the book! I wish the ending wasn’t so abrupt. I want more from these characters, this world, and what happens next. Thankfully, I’ve discovered there is a sequel and I’m really excited to continue reading!
The book started a bit slow, but very soon I wasn’t able to put it down. The last thing I have to point out is that the packaging is INSANE. It’s a really beautiful thick paper that I made my entire family feel as I gushed over it. In this technical age, nobody pays attention to paper like this. It was a luxury just to pick it up and read it. I was actually floored when I opened it. Thick, soft paper with gold foil type on the cover. I was already transported, but I didn’t yet know where to…until I turned the first page…