“The Golem and the Jinni” by Helene Wecker – Mystical Companions

A disgruntled rabbi gives birth to a golem, only to die while it is still at sea, letting it drift all the way to 19th century New York City. Without a master or a plan, the golem is left without a purpose… only a conscience. 

At the same time, a Syrian Jinni trapped in a lamp for over a thousand years has finally gained freedom, only to also find himself in New York, in a world he can barely comprehend.

The two stumble around without a real goal, until they finally meet each other, forming a connection and a friendship none could have predicted. The two otherworldly creatures then begin to travel onwards (metaphorically), trying to find the two things they do not have: sense and purpose. Such is the premise of The Golem and the Jinni, Helene Wecker’s much-acclaimed debut novel.

When I picked the book I was a bit surprised with myself; the author didn’t have any previous works for reference, and the story in itself seemed a bit childish at first glance. However, all of my expectations were blown away after the first few chapters, mainly because there are so many different things happening in this novel all at once. 

There is the relationship between the two main characters, their search for what it means to be who they are, their need to make sense and find purpose, how their history comes into play, the clash of different cultures, and that’s without forgetting the in-depth look we are getting at the Jewish and Syrian immigrants who flooded New York in the 19th century.

The author’s elegant and simple writing style works quite well in this context, being perfectly suitable for making the mystical creatures believable. As a matter of fact, virtually all of the characters have something noteworthy about them, and the way in which their importance in the story varies from one chapter to the next also keeps you on your toes. 

The relationships between them, whether it be between mothers and sons or friends and enemies, are always complex and interesting to watch unfold, and perhaps even more importantly, unpredictable in their denouements.

All in all, it has to be said that The Golem and the Jinni is a fantastic novel, especially for a debut. This type of novel is a bit hard to categorize, so I’ll just say that those who like to read about philosophical approaches to life, mystical creatures, 19th century New York, and even Middle Easter history should check this book out… unless all you like are murders and explosions, you will find something to love in this novel. 

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Helene Wecker Personal site Helene Wecker is an American author who grew up in Libertyville, a small town just north of Chicago, and earned her Bachelor's in English from the Carleton College, located in Minnesota. After bouncing between marketing and communications jobs she decided to make the move to New York to earn a Master's degree in fiction writing at Columbia University. Her fist novel, The Golem and the Jinni, has made her instantly notorious in literary circles.