Reddit reviews The Golem and the Jinni: A Novel (P.S.)
We found 12 Reddit comments about The Golem and the Jinni: A Novel (P.S.). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Harper Perennial
"The Jew in the Lotus: A Poet's Rediscovery of Jewish Identity in Buddhist India" by Rodger Kamenetz was an absolutely wonderful book. It chronicles the first (known) meeting between a Jewish delegation and the Dalai Lama. So in this way, it's a thrilling adventure of historic importance. At the same time, Kamenetz (a non-observant Jew) finds himself finding a deeper connection to Judaism as he interacts with the rabbis he's traveling with and the Buddhists he meets.
If you're interested in Jewish mysticism, "The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism" by Daniel C. Matt is a great and poetic translation of some primary sources. For the Hasidic movement, Elie Wiesel has a beautiful collection of legends titled, "Souls on Fire: Portraits and Legends of the Hasidic Masters." "Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism" by Howard Schwartz is a great book on Jewish mythical stories found in ancient Jewish texts and folklore. If you want something completely different "Jewish Magic and Superstition" by Joshua Trachtenberg is an amazing (if somewhat dry) book on this strange and magical Jewish sect that flourished in the Rhineland from the 12th through 13th centuries (and it's available for free!). Also, Rabbi Arthur Green has written a book called "Radical Judaism" on utilizing ancient (primarily mystical) sources to recenter Judaism in the modern era. Green's book is somewhat fun, but frivolous and controversial times.
If you're interested in fiction, I cannot recommend "The Golem and the Jinni" enough. The author, Helene Wecker, draws on her (Jewish) family's immigrant stories and also those of her husband's (Syrian Christian) family. It's a book about the immigrant experience in New York City at the turn of the century. However, the main characters are not members of these communities, but creatures of their folklores. A golem (Chava) is brought to life, and is forced to not just acclimate herself to American culture, but also humanity as well. Meanwhile, a jinni (Ahmad) likewise finds himself released (but bound) in New York City. He's forced to adjust to the present rather than dwell on his majestic past (like a formerly wealthy immigrant who finds himself a pauper in his new home). It's truly a great book.
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker, historical fiction and fantasy based in beginning of the 20th century New York - 500 pages, standalone.
Well duh, otherwise you wouldn't be posting in this subreddit, but there's a lot of different types of fantasy/scifi. Do you tend to like adventure novels a la lord of the rings, 'farmboy becomes savior' novels like the wheel of time. Do you like suspense? Or do you typically enjoy more 'character driven' stories? Etc. Fantasy is really just a setting.
Imajica by Clive Barker is a mystery/horror novel that generally gets strong reviews and the audiobook is 37 hours long so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
The golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker is a character driven novel about a Golem and jinni who are both learning to live in a early 1900's new york city. It's also over 30 hours long.
Others mentioned ready player one and the martian. Ready player one is great. The primary criticism you'll see is that it's too 'fanservicy' to eighties/videogame themes. It's the 50 shades for video game nerds. The martian is also great, though chances are you saw the movie. It's a suspense novel about a man stuck on mars.
Here it is in novel form!
You might enjoy The Golem and the Jinni...It's set in turn of the century New York, and has strong cultural and religious overtones. The magical aspects of it are quite secondary to everything else.
A Winters Tale...the movie apparently sucked, but the book has stuck with me for quite some time. It's a lyrical piece of magic realism, much stronger on the realism. Another book on turn of the century New York.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell may be a bit more magic than you'd like, but it's astonishingly good. It's what Jane Austen would have produced if she'd decided to write a fantasy novel.
The Night Circus is good.
How about The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker?
Someone else already mentioned Jonathon Strange & Mr. Norrell.
Also, try The Alchemist by Donna Boyd and the Sevenwaters Trilogy by Juliet Marillier. Both have a beautiful and evocative way with words.
This one! https://www.amazon.com/Golem-Jinni-Novel-P-S/dp/0062110845
I read this one years ago and it was really good as well: https://www.amazon.com/Alif-Unseen-G-Willow-Wilson/dp/0802121225
ALL OF THEM.
I just like reading. Reading's my favorite.
And physical copies. Because dat book smell. So good.
I'm currently reading Helene Wecker's The Golem and the Jinni and it is super good.
Would this book be okay, used is A-OKAY! YAY BOOKS AND YAY YOU!
What kind of books do you like to curl up with?
The Golem and the Jinni was just excellent. Fantasy set in 1920s New York.
I would say The Golem and the Jinni.https://www.amazon.com/Golem-Jinni-Novel-P-S/dp/0062110845/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469853610&sr=8-1&keywords=helen+wecker
Or The Magicians by Lev Grossman. https://www.amazon.com/Magicians-Novel-Trilogy/dp/0452296293/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469853727&sr=8-2&keywords=the+magicians
Loved The Golem and the Jinni. Gave me my first book hangover in a really long time.