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The Golem
From the bones of the dead, and from a long buried secret...they rise to kill. The original Golem was molded from riverbed clay centuries ago, enchanted by spells to protect the innocent. But now a diabolical design has perverted the ancient, mystical rites to forge new Golems that stalk the night. Into the twilight deeps of the quiet Maryland coast, they come forth, to rape, mangle, and murder, and to bring horror and atrocity to all in their demonic path. Only a young couple can stop them but little do they know, an even worse secret is buried in their own midst...
323 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
22 people are currently reading
868 people want to read
About the author
Edward Lee
267 books1,450 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Edward Lee is an American novelist specializing in the field of horror, and has authored 40 books, more than half of which have been published by mass-market New York paperback companies such as Leisure/Dorchester, Berkley, and Zebra/Kensington. He is a Bram Stoker award nominee for his story "Mr. Torso," and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen mass-market anthologies, including THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, Pocket's HOT BLOOD series, and the award-wining 999. Several of his novels have sold translation rights to Germany, Greece, and Romania. He also publishes quite actively in the small-press/limited-edition hardcover market; many of his books in this category have become collector's items. While a number of Lee's projects have been optioned for film, only one has been made, HEADER, which was released on DVD to mixed reviews in June, 2009, by Synapse Films.
Lee is particularly known for over-the-top occult concepts and an accelerated treatment of erotic and/or morbid sexual imagery and visceral violence.
He was born on May 25, 1957 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Bowie, Maryland. In the late-70s he served in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, in Erlangen, West Germany, then, for a short time, was a municipal police officer in Cottage City, Maryland. Lee also attended the University of Maryland as an English major but quit in his last semester to pursue his dream of being a horror novelist. For over 15 years, he worked as the night manager for a security company in Annapolis, Maryland, while writing in his spare time. In 1997, however, he became a full-time writer, first spending several years in Seattle and then moving to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he currently resides.
Of note, the author cites as his strongest influence horror legend H. P. Lovecraft; in 2007, Lee embarked on what he calls his "Lovecraft kick" and wrote a spate of novels and novellas which tribute Lovecraft and his famous Cthulhu Mythos. Among these projects are THE INNSWICH HORROR, "Trolley No. 1852," HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD, GOING MONSTERING, "Pages Torn From A Travel Journal," and "You Are My Everything." Lee promises more Lovecraftian work on the horizon.
Edward Lee is an American novelist specializing in the field of horror, and has authored 40 books, more than half of which have been published by mass-market New York paperback companies such as Leisure/Dorchester, Berkley, and Zebra/Kensington. He is a Bram Stoker award nominee for his story "Mr. Torso," and his short stories have appeared in over a dozen mass-market anthologies, including THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, Pocket's HOT BLOOD series, and the award-wining 999. Several of his novels have sold translation rights to Germany, Greece, and Romania. He also publishes quite actively in the small-press/limited-edition hardcover market; many of his books in this category have become collector's items. While a number of Lee's projects have been optioned for film, only one has been made, HEADER, which was released on DVD to mixed reviews in June, 2009, by Synapse Films.
Lee is particularly known for over-the-top occult concepts and an accelerated treatment of erotic and/or morbid sexual imagery and visceral violence.
He was born on May 25, 1957 in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Bowie, Maryland. In the late-70s he served in the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division, in Erlangen, West Germany, then, for a short time, was a municipal police officer in Cottage City, Maryland. Lee also attended the University of Maryland as an English major but quit in his last semester to pursue his dream of being a horror novelist. For over 15 years, he worked as the night manager for a security company in Annapolis, Maryland, while writing in his spare time. In 1997, however, he became a full-time writer, first spending several years in Seattle and then moving to St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he currently resides.
Of note, the author cites as his strongest influence horror legend H. P. Lovecraft; in 2007, Lee embarked on what he calls his "Lovecraft kick" and wrote a spate of novels and novellas which tribute Lovecraft and his famous Cthulhu Mythos. Among these projects are THE INNSWICH HORROR, "Trolley No. 1852," HAUNTER OF THE THRESHOLD, GOING MONSTERING, "Pages Torn From A Travel Journal," and "You Are My Everything." Lee promises more Lovecraftian work on the horizon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 17, 2024
I couldn’t finish. The only thing scary about this book is how the author should be on a list of some kind. This book was clearly written by a man. The amount of times that breasts were mentioned is astonishing, and not a single time did it contribute to the plot or flow at all. The way that women are described in this book are like objects. It’s a horror book! What is happening? The girlfriend is used as an encyclopedia to push in answers about the plot easily. But she’s also…a “crackwhore” that the boyfriend only can think of as having a hot body. My god this infuriated me. Also the amount of sexual assault on both alive and dead women is atrocious. Again had nothing to do with the plot. The author just has issues. There is no reason a horror book or film should have so much sexual assault in it. At that point it’s not the plot, it’s the creator of said book or film having some sick thing with women. Don’t read this. This book could have easily been less than 100 pages if all the filler crap had been taken out. Horrible. The only “horror” parts were gore. And the middle like 60 pages had me hoping for the best, then the girlfriend gets…wait…you guessed it…sexually assaulted…and I’d had enough. Couldn’t finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2011
This book is about Jewish black magic, crack addiction, and blood. Lots and lots of blood. If you like reading graphic depictions of people having their arms torqued off by animated, clay-covered corpses that have Hebrew words written on their chests, well...look no further!
There was a lot of cool information about golems. I may try to make one this summer. All I'll need to get started is magic clay from Czechoslovakia, some severed dogs heads in a bubbling vat, the corpse of a sinful person, a lot of rocks to make a black magic circle thingee, and a bunch of Hebrew words. I'll post some pics on Facebook when I'm done. Should be a good time.
There was a lot of cool information about golems. I may try to make one this summer. All I'll need to get started is magic clay from Czechoslovakia, some severed dogs heads in a bubbling vat, the corpse of a sinful person, a lot of rocks to make a black magic circle thingee, and a bunch of Hebrew words. I'll post some pics on Facebook when I'm done. Should be a good time.
August 21, 2020
Another rather plot driven novel by Lee whose style reminded me of The Black Train. Lee weaves two distinct but obviously related plot lines here-- one set in Maryland circa 1880 and one in the present in the same place-- Lowensport, a small town established in 1840. We start off on a small riverboat on the way to deliver goods to Lowensport; the goods are from Prague (as are the Jewish population of Lowensport) and include four barrels of clay. We then flash forward to Seth and Judy making their way to Lowensport from Tampa to move into their new house there.
Seth is a computer game designer who recently had a huge hit, and a huge paycheck to show for it. Judy taught theology at FSU until she became a crack addict. Seth met Judy in rehab, where Seth became a recovering alcoholic rather than the alcoholic he became after his wife died two years ago. Their new abode is the Lowen House, a mansion built back in the 1860s. Lowen ran a sawmill and became quite the tycoon in his day, but as the flashbacks to 1880 reveal, a large group of charcoal makers, and antisemitic to the core, were not happy with his success. We know early on the two groups clashed with a dire outcome, and the details are slowly revealed as the story unfolds.
Modern Lowensport is largely a Jewish enclave of the Kabbala sect, and the leading Rabbi welcomes Seth and Judy, and seem quite nice at first. We are also introduced to two rednecks who deliver drugs to the nearest town's sheriff, who is seeking a monopoly in the crack trade locally. As the story unfolds, we learn what happened in 1880 is merely a precursor to what is happening now, and it involves a golem...
One of Lee's more sedate works, but this is still Edward Lee we are talking about, so expect a fair amount of sex and violence along the way. 3.5 stars!
Seth is a computer game designer who recently had a huge hit, and a huge paycheck to show for it. Judy taught theology at FSU until she became a crack addict. Seth met Judy in rehab, where Seth became a recovering alcoholic rather than the alcoholic he became after his wife died two years ago. Their new abode is the Lowen House, a mansion built back in the 1860s. Lowen ran a sawmill and became quite the tycoon in his day, but as the flashbacks to 1880 reveal, a large group of charcoal makers, and antisemitic to the core, were not happy with his success. We know early on the two groups clashed with a dire outcome, and the details are slowly revealed as the story unfolds.
Modern Lowensport is largely a Jewish enclave of the Kabbala sect, and the leading Rabbi welcomes Seth and Judy, and seem quite nice at first. We are also introduced to two rednecks who deliver drugs to the nearest town's sheriff, who is seeking a monopoly in the crack trade locally. As the story unfolds, we learn what happened in 1880 is merely a precursor to what is happening now, and it involves a golem...
One of Lee's more sedate works, but this is still Edward Lee we are talking about, so expect a fair amount of sex and violence along the way. 3.5 stars!
February 28, 2017
Oh my, of my, that was so good! I love it when Edward Lee mixes historical and modern events, reminded me 'The Black Train' in this aspect - and also how we find out the story slowly, by bits and pieces, until it makes the whole. It took me awhile to read it but I enjoyed it so much. And it was very creepy - even though gory things were more like stated than described, the atmosphere was great.
Judy was such an awesome heroine (and how often do I say these words? lol, almost never). I liked her since the beginning and I rooted for her like mad when the things went wrong. I also loved the ending, all the components of it, they fitted both the romantic and the cynical parts of my heart.
Judy was such an awesome heroine (and how often do I say these words? lol, almost never). I liked her since the beginning and I rooted for her like mad when the things went wrong. I also loved the ending, all the components of it, they fitted both the romantic and the cynical parts of my heart.
November 7, 2021
Evil Rabbis cooking up crack. Those same heretics cover dead bodies in special clay to make Golems. Those Golems then rip people limb from limb, literally Corrupt cops sell that crack and help out with the body count with their paid villains. Unbeknownst to a computer game designer and his college professor girlfriend, who move into a house with a history of evil Rabbis, have to deal with all this nastiness.
A pretty fast paced novel from one of the sicker minds of the twenty first century of writing. Not as much sex and creepy situations as he usually throws at you, but none the less still gory and filled with spastic violence and uncomfortable situations. Lots of crack smokin' to boot!
A pretty fast paced novel from one of the sicker minds of the twenty first century of writing. Not as much sex and creepy situations as he usually throws at you, but none the less still gory and filled with spastic violence and uncomfortable situations. Lots of crack smokin' to boot!
June 1, 2009
Many here know that I'm not Lee's biggest fan, so although the cover art was interesting (I had to hide and rehide this book from my 7 year old who was just enthralled with the golumn on the cover) I admit to putting off reading this tale.
Now that I have read it, I admit that I prefer it to many of his other books. This is the story of a video game designer and his girlfriend who are recovered addicts, and newly rich from the sale of his latest game. They elect to buy an old home in the middle of nowhere and quickly discover themselves in the middle of an age old battle of black magic wielding jewish folk - and some other crazy clannish locals. Just like every other Lee book, there is plenty of sex, multiple rapes, and lots of violence.
On the whole this was one of Lee's better books, but it still was never able to really pull me in the way many other horror authors are able to. I never had a problem sticking in the bookmark and setting the book down. Still this is an enjoyable read when you are in the mood to waste some time.
Now that I have read it, I admit that I prefer it to many of his other books. This is the story of a video game designer and his girlfriend who are recovered addicts, and newly rich from the sale of his latest game. They elect to buy an old home in the middle of nowhere and quickly discover themselves in the middle of an age old battle of black magic wielding jewish folk - and some other crazy clannish locals. Just like every other Lee book, there is plenty of sex, multiple rapes, and lots of violence.
On the whole this was one of Lee's better books, but it still was never able to really pull me in the way many other horror authors are able to. I never had a problem sticking in the bookmark and setting the book down. Still this is an enjoyable read when you are in the mood to waste some time.
November 21, 2011
I enjoyed the book, although there were times when the flashbacks or going back and forth in time was somewhat annoying. Although, I do understand that was part of the story and acknowledge how that fit in. The story was compelling and sufficiently dark. This being only the second Lee book I've read I can't really compare it to the others too well, but, I did enjoy it. It did not end the way I thought it would. That's one of the things I like about Lee's stories, they don't seem to have that happy ending. Generally, it's a pretty dark ending, with an equally dark story.
April 10, 2013
Edward Lee has created his own brand of guts and gore and sex and this book is a fine example of it. Not for someone with delicate sensibilities and very rape happy, but if you're can deal with those things on paper, it's a fun quick depth free and gore heavy read. Best part of the book was a very interesting and educational backstory with some insights into the more obscure branches of jewish religion. Recommended.
June 17, 2017
Edward Lee's niche is similar to the old Shaun Hutson shock and gore horror books. The Golem doesn't disappoint in the bloody murders and rapes, however neither create tight suspense or brooding terror. Instead the evils committed seem rather matter-of-fact, which leaves a short horror yarn with no likeable characters, two-dimensional villains and a narrative which bounces between now and 1880 for little reason. The Golem evidences little imagination beyond a couple of twists near the end and is an easily forgotten tale. Pulp horror fans only.
August 20, 2017
Czasem w pierwszej połowie było nudno, ale reszta naprawdę mocna.
May 30, 2020
3.5 🌟 I'd say so the rating is spot on, but it didn't grab me until after 2/3rds the story it's ok like but I took a break for a few days came back and finished it.
June 12, 2013
The premise behind this book was a really interesting one. I can't recall ever reading a book about golems of Jewish folklore in the past. Lee clearly had an adequate grasp on the subject, so certainly this book should have written itself, right?
Eh. I don't go into these novels expecting timeless literature, as they're essentially the written equivalent of B-horror movies filmed with mom's video camera and a budget of whatever could be found under couch cushions and refrigerators. But I still believe that if you're going to publish something, you should give it all that you've got. THE GOLEM missed a few different marks in a few different aspects.
Let's start with Judy, one of the two focal characters. Over the course of roughly 5 pages, she went from bonehead to egghead. Apparently she had been a tenured professor at a university, yet she came off as exorbitantly uncultivated. Then, just pages later, she became an expert on every topic anyone could bring up. I did begin to groan around the third time she mentioned that she dated a professor who'd studied such and such as a means to explain how she knew all the information she did.
The ostensibly arbitrary jumps from the past to the present were a bit disenchanting. While some of the portions from the past could have complemented the portions of the present, as it was there were just too many jumps back and forth that resulted in overlapping information and alienation of the reader. Also, while being true to the strain of books to which it belongs, THE GOLEM's narrative contains an inordinate amount of lechery that seemed akin to how a lascivious pubescent boy might see the world.
Overall this one started out a bit arduous, then crescendoed from there. It never hit anything above par for the course, but with these types of books, I've never been looking for anything extravagant.
Eh. I don't go into these novels expecting timeless literature, as they're essentially the written equivalent of B-horror movies filmed with mom's video camera and a budget of whatever could be found under couch cushions and refrigerators. But I still believe that if you're going to publish something, you should give it all that you've got. THE GOLEM missed a few different marks in a few different aspects.
Let's start with Judy, one of the two focal characters. Over the course of roughly 5 pages, she went from bonehead to egghead. Apparently she had been a tenured professor at a university, yet she came off as exorbitantly uncultivated. Then, just pages later, she became an expert on every topic anyone could bring up. I did begin to groan around the third time she mentioned that she dated a professor who'd studied such and such as a means to explain how she knew all the information she did.
The ostensibly arbitrary jumps from the past to the present were a bit disenchanting. While some of the portions from the past could have complemented the portions of the present, as it was there were just too many jumps back and forth that resulted in overlapping information and alienation of the reader. Also, while being true to the strain of books to which it belongs, THE GOLEM's narrative contains an inordinate amount of lechery that seemed akin to how a lascivious pubescent boy might see the world.
Overall this one started out a bit arduous, then crescendoed from there. It never hit anything above par for the course, but with these types of books, I've never been looking for anything extravagant.
June 29, 2011
2 AND 1/2 STARS
Having read 75% of Edward Lee's books, both the mass market and the more hardcore limited edition titles, I have to place "The Golem" right in the middle. Not bad, but a bit predictable and not very scary. Sure, it has a nice amount of deranged inhabitants involved in brutal acts of violence and sex, along with some decent gore, but I felt it could have used some editing.
With the exception of the prologue from 1880, I didn't think author Lee needed to constantly return to the past every other chapter as it was clear from present day what had happened. I thought the switching back and forth from present day to 1880 slowed the momentum considerably without adding any real important information we don't eventually discover in the present day chapters. The occult rituals also felt a bit sloppy and pieced together with little or no atmosphere, written matter-of-fact. A premeditated attack on a character also didn't seem to make any sense because the victim had made a last minute decision to go for a walk alone, so how would the attackers know that?
What had me keep reading were the main characters, Seth and his girlfriend, Judy. Their unique house and Seth's profession were very interesting and it was obvious that author Ed Lee did his homework on architectural details and various other histories that helped ground the book and give it an authentic feel. I hate to say it, but the videogame Seth designed was probably the most interesting thing in the story. Still, Lee fans should be happy, but new fans should check out Lee's more groundbreaking work like the Infernal trilogy, consisting of "City Infernal", "Infernal Angel", and "House Infernal".
Having read 75% of Edward Lee's books, both the mass market and the more hardcore limited edition titles, I have to place "The Golem" right in the middle. Not bad, but a bit predictable and not very scary. Sure, it has a nice amount of deranged inhabitants involved in brutal acts of violence and sex, along with some decent gore, but I felt it could have used some editing.
With the exception of the prologue from 1880, I didn't think author Lee needed to constantly return to the past every other chapter as it was clear from present day what had happened. I thought the switching back and forth from present day to 1880 slowed the momentum considerably without adding any real important information we don't eventually discover in the present day chapters. The occult rituals also felt a bit sloppy and pieced together with little or no atmosphere, written matter-of-fact. A premeditated attack on a character also didn't seem to make any sense because the victim had made a last minute decision to go for a walk alone, so how would the attackers know that?
What had me keep reading were the main characters, Seth and his girlfriend, Judy. Their unique house and Seth's profession were very interesting and it was obvious that author Ed Lee did his homework on architectural details and various other histories that helped ground the book and give it an authentic feel. I hate to say it, but the videogame Seth designed was probably the most interesting thing in the story. Still, Lee fans should be happy, but new fans should check out Lee's more groundbreaking work like the Infernal trilogy, consisting of "City Infernal", "Infernal Angel", and "House Infernal".
November 4, 2012
This book delves into the Jewish legend of the Golem and into the dark side of Kaballism. It made for an interesting read.
Typically, if I enjoy a book enough that it makes me want to read more by that author, I give a book 4 stars. This book though came up a bit short on a couple measures.
First, one of the main characters is a know-it-all. Damn lady knows everything...each time because she used to date a guy that was a professional in whatever area. That was more than a bit overplayed.
Second, I could have done without the one-sided Al Gore-esque preaching about the wonders of bio-mass fuels. This book was published in 2009, about the time when oil prices were setting record highs and natural gas prices hadn't yet diverged from oil. The world was in love with the myth of the perfect green energy solution and evidently, so was Mr Lee.
Those things aside, I would have given this one 4 Stars. But, I was annoyed enough that 3 STARS is the limit.
3 STARS
Typically, if I enjoy a book enough that it makes me want to read more by that author, I give a book 4 stars. This book though came up a bit short on a couple measures.
First, one of the main characters is a know-it-all. Damn lady knows everything...each time because she used to date a guy that was a professional in whatever area. That was more than a bit overplayed.
Second, I could have done without the one-sided Al Gore-esque preaching about the wonders of bio-mass fuels. This book was published in 2009, about the time when oil prices were setting record highs and natural gas prices hadn't yet diverged from oil. The world was in love with the myth of the perfect green energy solution and evidently, so was Mr Lee.
Those things aside, I would have given this one 4 Stars. But, I was annoyed enough that 3 STARS is the limit.
3 STARS
December 4, 2014
This book just got progressively worse the deeper I read. I like horror fiction, generally. I picked this up because of the great reviews and disappointment was all I received.
I am not opposed to gore, but it felt like that's all this book was. Limbs being torn off, women (and one man, violently!) being raped (a LOT), and crackheads. This book was only scary in the sense of "Yikes! I'd hate to have my arms ripped off and then get sexually violated by an undead product of black magic."
I've gotten more scared reading Halloween Jezebel stories submitted by amateurs.
Sadly, Lee is a good writer. His imagery is spot on with a very fluid, seamless ebb and flow. It's just the content that sucks.
I am not opposed to gore, but it felt like that's all this book was. Limbs being torn off, women (and one man, violently!) being raped (a LOT), and crackheads. This book was only scary in the sense of "Yikes! I'd hate to have my arms ripped off and then get sexually violated by an undead product of black magic."
I've gotten more scared reading Halloween Jezebel stories submitted by amateurs.
Sadly, Lee is a good writer. His imagery is spot on with a very fluid, seamless ebb and flow. It's just the content that sucks.
March 22, 2018
Read it! You’ll thank me later.
December 17, 2025
Jaką książkę przeczytaliście ostatnio, która tak mocno podsyciła waszą historyczną ciekawość, że jeszcze długo po zakończeniu szukaliście o niej dodatkowych informacji?
U nas niedawno tak zadziałała „Baśka Murmańska”, która absolutnie nas oczarowała, dlatego kiedy pojawiła się propozycja od Wydawnictwa Replika o przeczytaniu „Niedźwiedzia Wojtka. Niezwykłego żołnierza Armii Andersa” Aileen Orr, wzięłyśmy tę książkę od razu. Kochamy tego typu historie o zwierzętach i ich niezwykłych losach, bo zawsze potrafią wstrząsnąć emocjami i przypomnieć, że nawet w najtrudniejszych czasach potrafi narodzić się coś pięknego.
Książka przedstawia drogę małego niedźwiadka, który przez przypadek trafia do polskich żołnierzy. Początkowo kruchy, zagubiony maluch szybko staje się nieodłącznym towarzyszem oddziału, a z czasem wręcz jego symbolem. Towarzyszy żołnierzom w pracy, w marszu, w chwilach radości i w tych najcięższych momentach, kiedy jedyną siłą napędową jest nadzieja. I choć całość wydarzyła się naprawdę, miejscami czyta się to jak fikcję, tak niezwykłe były ich wspólne przeżycia.
Fabuła została zbudowana tak, że krok po kroku odkrywamy kolejne fragmenty życia Wojtka i oddziału. To nie tylko opowieść o zwierzaku, ale o ludziach, którzy znaleźli w nim wsparcie i namiastkę normalności w czasie, kiedy cały świat walił się w gruzy. Autorka łączy codzienność wojenną z osobistymi historiami żołnierzy, a między tym wplata sceny z życia Wojtka, zabawne, wzruszające i takie, przy których trzeba na chwilę przystanąć. Emocje gwarantowane, mówimy wam !
Klimat książki jest niezwykle poruszający. Jest tu ciepło, jest mrok, jest niepewność, ale jednocześnie pojawia się coś, co trudno opisać jednym słowem, to taka mieszanka nostalgii, wdzięczności i dumy. Każdy rozdział ma swoje emocje, a cała opowieść niesie ze sobą taki rodzaj historii, który pamięta się długo po skończeniu lektury.
Styl książki jest bardzo przystępny, momentami rozbudowany, ale nie męczący. Czyta się szybko i przyjemnie.
Zupełnie nie spodziewałyśmy się takiej dawki emocji. To historia, która igra z uczuciami, wzrusza, bawi, ale też zadaje cios prosto w serce, bo wojna nigdy nie jest neutralnym tłem.
A teraz najważniejsze pytanie: dla kogo jest ta książka? Przede wszystkim dla osób, które kochają poznawać prawdziwe losy niezwykłych zwierząt, jak również oczywiście dla miłośników historii, zwłaszcza II wojny światowej. Powiemy wam,że również dla czytelników lubiących opowieści pełne emocji i ludzkich wartości, no i oczywiście dla tych, którzy po prostu lubią dobre, angażujące książki, które zostawiają coś po sobie. A przede wszystkim dla tych, którzy pokochali „Baśkę Murmańską”, bo klimat, serce i charakter tych historii pięknie się uzupełniają.
Podsumowując: „Niedźwiedź Wojtek” to powieść pełna wzruszeń, niesamowitych momentów i pięknych relacji. Jest przemyślana, wartościowa, dobrze napisana i absolutnie warta przeczytania. Jeśli kochacie książki o zwierzętach tak jak my, ta historia skradnie wam serce. Czytajcie mówimy wam, jest świetna !
U nas niedawno tak zadziałała „Baśka Murmańska”, która absolutnie nas oczarowała, dlatego kiedy pojawiła się propozycja od Wydawnictwa Replika o przeczytaniu „Niedźwiedzia Wojtka. Niezwykłego żołnierza Armii Andersa” Aileen Orr, wzięłyśmy tę książkę od razu. Kochamy tego typu historie o zwierzętach i ich niezwykłych losach, bo zawsze potrafią wstrząsnąć emocjami i przypomnieć, że nawet w najtrudniejszych czasach potrafi narodzić się coś pięknego.
Książka przedstawia drogę małego niedźwiadka, który przez przypadek trafia do polskich żołnierzy. Początkowo kruchy, zagubiony maluch szybko staje się nieodłącznym towarzyszem oddziału, a z czasem wręcz jego symbolem. Towarzyszy żołnierzom w pracy, w marszu, w chwilach radości i w tych najcięższych momentach, kiedy jedyną siłą napędową jest nadzieja. I choć całość wydarzyła się naprawdę, miejscami czyta się to jak fikcję, tak niezwykłe były ich wspólne przeżycia.
Fabuła została zbudowana tak, że krok po kroku odkrywamy kolejne fragmenty życia Wojtka i oddziału. To nie tylko opowieść o zwierzaku, ale o ludziach, którzy znaleźli w nim wsparcie i namiastkę normalności w czasie, kiedy cały świat walił się w gruzy. Autorka łączy codzienność wojenną z osobistymi historiami żołnierzy, a między tym wplata sceny z życia Wojtka, zabawne, wzruszające i takie, przy których trzeba na chwilę przystanąć. Emocje gwarantowane, mówimy wam !
Klimat książki jest niezwykle poruszający. Jest tu ciepło, jest mrok, jest niepewność, ale jednocześnie pojawia się coś, co trudno opisać jednym słowem, to taka mieszanka nostalgii, wdzięczności i dumy. Każdy rozdział ma swoje emocje, a cała opowieść niesie ze sobą taki rodzaj historii, który pamięta się długo po skończeniu lektury.
Styl książki jest bardzo przystępny, momentami rozbudowany, ale nie męczący. Czyta się szybko i przyjemnie.
Zupełnie nie spodziewałyśmy się takiej dawki emocji. To historia, która igra z uczuciami, wzrusza, bawi, ale też zadaje cios prosto w serce, bo wojna nigdy nie jest neutralnym tłem.
A teraz najważniejsze pytanie: dla kogo jest ta książka? Przede wszystkim dla osób, które kochają poznawać prawdziwe losy niezwykłych zwierząt, jak również oczywiście dla miłośników historii, zwłaszcza II wojny światowej. Powiemy wam,że również dla czytelników lubiących opowieści pełne emocji i ludzkich wartości, no i oczywiście dla tych, którzy po prostu lubią dobre, angażujące książki, które zostawiają coś po sobie. A przede wszystkim dla tych, którzy pokochali „Baśkę Murmańską”, bo klimat, serce i charakter tych historii pięknie się uzupełniają.
Podsumowując: „Niedźwiedź Wojtek” to powieść pełna wzruszeń, niesamowitych momentów i pięknych relacji. Jest przemyślana, wartościowa, dobrze napisana i absolutnie warta przeczytania. Jeśli kochacie książki o zwierzętach tak jak my, ta historia skradnie wam serce. Czytajcie mówimy wam, jest świetna !
November 6, 2022
Many years ago I saw Der Golem super late at night on Sci-Fi. (That's what it was before Syfy.) It was the greatest silent film I've ever seen, and it still is. I've been fascinated with this story ever since.
Imagine my joy when I saw that Edward Lee had written a book about this. He does for Judaism what he usually does for Christianity in this one. But he goes a step farther here. Lee isn't known for being mysterious, but there are a handful of legitimate mysteries in this book, and they're very interesting. I particularly enjoyed the buried boat found where there is no river. We never truly find out how it got there, but we have enough clues to figure it out.
D-Man and Nutjob are exactly the kind of psychos Lee is known for, and somehow Rosh and Stein are even better . . . or worse, depending on how you look at it.
Also, it's a rarity when a book gives me a nightmare, and this one did. I'm a recovering alcoholic. This is my 114th day away from booze. And this is very much a book about addiction. One character is a recovering alcoholic, and another is a recovering crack addict. There is a scene in which the crack addict is forced to smoke crack again after a long sobriety. It gave me a nightmare in which I was at a party, and someone got what I thought was a non-alcoholic drink for me. Only after I drank it and started feeling weird did the person who got it for me laugh and say he tricked me into drinking booze. I was so furious that I woke up and felt relief when I realized it was just a dream.
I think this is probably one of my top 5 Lee books now. No, top 3. You should read it.
Imagine my joy when I saw that Edward Lee had written a book about this. He does for Judaism what he usually does for Christianity in this one. But he goes a step farther here. Lee isn't known for being mysterious, but there are a handful of legitimate mysteries in this book, and they're very interesting. I particularly enjoyed the buried boat found where there is no river. We never truly find out how it got there, but we have enough clues to figure it out.
D-Man and Nutjob are exactly the kind of psychos Lee is known for, and somehow Rosh and Stein are even better . . . or worse, depending on how you look at it.
Also, it's a rarity when a book gives me a nightmare, and this one did. I'm a recovering alcoholic. This is my 114th day away from booze. And this is very much a book about addiction. One character is a recovering alcoholic, and another is a recovering crack addict. There is a scene in which the crack addict is forced to smoke crack again after a long sobriety. It gave me a nightmare in which I was at a party, and someone got what I thought was a non-alcoholic drink for me. Only after I drank it and started feeling weird did the person who got it for me laugh and say he tricked me into drinking booze. I was so furious that I woke up and felt relief when I realized it was just a dream.
I think this is probably one of my top 5 Lee books now. No, top 3. You should read it.
July 22, 2023
Edward Lee is an author whose work I've become really hyper-fixated with his work is intelligent but terrifying in a way that no other author has been capable of bringing to life, his stories are over the top and gory but with merit and really well-executed ideas. Splatterpunk isn't for everyone and with Lee being the most hardcore of them, his work won't be up to everyone's tastes but if you enjoy splatterpunk, jump right on in!
Seth and his girlfriend Judy have moved into the small town of Lowensport, taking residence in the house that once belonged to an evil heretic. The town has had a dark history of anti-Semitism and black magic. But it's still poisoned by the evils of a corrupt police force, a drug trading business, and a cult of the dark arts. Seth and Judy are in danger and they'll have to face The Golem.
Edward Lee's The Golem is a brilliant, terrifying, and heart-wrenching story that is stylized in very much the same as Gast was, as we bounce back between the past and future throughout the narrative to create a cohesive story by the end of its page count. I really love this style of writing and honestly hope Lee's written more books like this. The Golem despite being filled with gore, violence, and r*pe is in some ways a mature tale criticizing anti-semitism and how heretics can harm a religious culture.
It's a brutal, fast-paced tale with terrific characterization, atmosphere, and plenty of fascinating information on golems.
Overall: It's a brilliant novel, that if you manage to find it in some shape or form, honestly give it a read. An underrated classic. 10/10
Seth and his girlfriend Judy have moved into the small town of Lowensport, taking residence in the house that once belonged to an evil heretic. The town has had a dark history of anti-Semitism and black magic. But it's still poisoned by the evils of a corrupt police force, a drug trading business, and a cult of the dark arts. Seth and Judy are in danger and they'll have to face The Golem.
Edward Lee's The Golem is a brilliant, terrifying, and heart-wrenching story that is stylized in very much the same as Gast was, as we bounce back between the past and future throughout the narrative to create a cohesive story by the end of its page count. I really love this style of writing and honestly hope Lee's written more books like this. The Golem despite being filled with gore, violence, and r*pe is in some ways a mature tale criticizing anti-semitism and how heretics can harm a religious culture.
It's a brutal, fast-paced tale with terrific characterization, atmosphere, and plenty of fascinating information on golems.
Overall: It's a brilliant novel, that if you manage to find it in some shape or form, honestly give it a read. An underrated classic. 10/10
December 26, 2018
This was an interesting one. It could have been a four or even five star rating for me if it weren't for some major errors.
The first being a sequence close to the beginning of the book in which two killers / rapists are savagely murdered. It was incredibly frustrating to read as Lee seemed too be getting the names of the two confused. Possibly the most irritating thing about this error is that the sequence was actually really good - had it not been for the mistakes it would have been one of the better moments in the whole novel. This really took the tension of I was able to overlook this and chalk it up to sloppy editing.
The second mistake was much harder to reconcile. Minor spoiler alert:
The Realtor, Mr. Croter, is present for a sequence in which the steamboat is discovered. He even offers some important insight on how the boat came to be underground due to an earthquake. Later, he is speaking with a main character (Judy) and it is as if he is hearing about the boat for the first time.
Again, I chalk this up to poor editing. If you can look past these errors, the story is very good.
The first being a sequence close to the beginning of the book in which two killers / rapists are savagely murdered. It was incredibly frustrating to read as Lee seemed too be getting the names of the two confused. Possibly the most irritating thing about this error is that the sequence was actually really good - had it not been for the mistakes it would have been one of the better moments in the whole novel. This really took the tension of I was able to overlook this and chalk it up to sloppy editing.
The second mistake was much harder to reconcile. Minor spoiler alert:
The Realtor, Mr. Croter, is present for a sequence in which the steamboat is discovered. He even offers some important insight on how the boat came to be underground due to an earthquake. Later, he is speaking with a main character (Judy) and it is as if he is hearing about the boat for the first time.
Again, I chalk this up to poor editing. If you can look past these errors, the story is very good.
June 8, 2023
When you're told you are reading one of Edward Lee's more "tame" books, it just means he has others that are even more disgusting and violent. It never means the one you're reading is a tame book on its own. I deeply enjoy his writing style in everything I've read of his. This one involves a conservative Jewish community, black magic, dirty cops, and a crack cocaine operation. All of them cross paths in this book. Lee somehow handles the Judaic aspects with intelligence and accuracy in theology while never crossing the line into disrespectfulness, at least no more so than any other extreme horror writer would.
The violence in this does surpass most books by other authors I've read, and it does include some brutal sexual assault and drug abuse that had me wanting to quit reading a few times. It's not one I will put on a pedestal with The Bighead, Header, or, my favorite by him, Flesh Gothic, but it is much more memorable than Brides of the Impaler or Monstrosity.
The violence in this does surpass most books by other authors I've read, and it does include some brutal sexual assault and drug abuse that had me wanting to quit reading a few times. It's not one I will put on a pedestal with The Bighead, Header, or, my favorite by him, Flesh Gothic, but it is much more memorable than Brides of the Impaler or Monstrosity.
January 19, 2024
I'm familiar with some golem origin legends, and this one does follow a similar path. It's my first book by Lee, and I'm not sure what to make of him. This book was a decent story, with moderately interesting characters. There was far more mention of sexual assault than I felt necessary, and a heavy use of drug abuse in the second and third acts. Be warned of those things. The religious theme runs deep as well, which was not a surprise, given the subject matter.
September 18, 2018
My favourite type of Edward Lee novel. Since i read Backwoods, i have found that, although i enjoy reading all his books, i prefer the slightly more softer novels. Golem is one such story, great set up and some brilliant revenge set pieces. The whole background and story was top notch. Edward Lee is a talented writer, with out a doubt. Highly recommended for fans of Laymon, Hutson, Keene and Smith.
June 14, 2022
Not a bad read at all, not as over the top as some of his books can be, just a pleasant reading experience consisting of Jewish black magic, demonic Golem’s, crooked cops, scummy drug dealers, lust, substance addiction, rape...with plenty of gore, set within two plot lines, past and present, that tie in with each other..
A more milder side of Ed Lee, but one worth pursuing.
A more milder side of Ed Lee, but one worth pursuing.
September 2, 2021
This was my first read since discovering the splatterpunk genre. It was a great starter book into the genre. Though I expected a little more gore than what was there, it was still a great read. The story was a little out there but thoroughly enjoyable!
June 12, 2022
Great book! This was my first Edward Lee novel, but it definitely won't be my last. Slow at first but this book really picks up as you go. Lots of gore, action and scares. Definitely worth checking out
January 15, 2024
It was ok. Not one of my favorites by him, but not his worst. A good starter book of his if you’re wanting to dip your toes into his macabre mind. It’s got sex, drugs, monsters and religion. What more could you ask for?!
July 8, 2017
Mastermind at work, I enjoy his creativity. This is one book worth the time to read...
May 24, 2018
A retelling of the golem legend told in Edward Lee's twisted style.
January 4, 2019
Didn’t disappoint
Another great lee work. I can think of no other author that makes deranged story’s read like intelligent masterpieces. Already I’m on my next lee novel
Another great lee work. I can think of no other author that makes deranged story’s read like intelligent masterpieces. Already I’m on my next lee novel
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