Urban Fantasy discussion

This month, we're reading The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. Watcha think of it?

Was a DNF for me. Hopping viewpoints. Couldn't get into the characters at all. It just felt flat to me.

I thought it was one of the best books I read this year. Reading this book is like taking a sail down a slow, winding, scenic river. You never know what's around the next corner or where the river is going to take you, but you really enjoy the ride and all that you come across on the trip. This book is a wonderful read taking place in 1899 New York City telling the tale of the life of Jewish and Muslim immigrants with the very interesting twist that among those Jewish immigrants is a Golem and among those Muslim immigrants is Jinni. The interactions of the immigrant humans with other humans as well as with the Golem's and Jinni's interactions with each other and how they try to fit in with the humans is part of what makes this story so enjoyable. All of the characters and scenes are so well described you really can see yourself being there.

Joseph wrote: "I thought it was one of the best books I read this year. Reading this book is like taking a sail down a slow, winding, scenic river. You never know what's around the next corner or where the river..."

It is well written and described. I just couldn't connect with either character and it seemed to be progressing too slowly for my tastes. I think there is a good story there, but I guess I didn't have the patience for it.

Looks like a good read. We shall see!

Same here! I also feel this was one of my best reads this year!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I loved the non magical part, the stories of the two immigrant groups, every bit as much as the magical part. Just a small correction ; Joseph, the majority of Syrian immigrants were Christian, not Muslim. The only one who was Muslim was Salah the former doctor turned ice cream seller. The Levant, what we know now as Syria and Lebanon, was always populated by Christians and Jews Muslims. At the time when the novel takes place that area was under Ottoman rule and the Christians were being persecuted. For this reason many immigrated to the New World, not only North America but also South America. Muslims of course immigrated as well.

There's also a very good review over at Fantasy literature for this book. That's where I first heard about it:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

I haven't started it yet, but it's going to be one of my next reads.

On my December TBR list

Maria wrote: "There's also a very good review over at Fantasy literature for this book. That's where I first heard about it:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi..."

This review states that the boook is not fantasy, and I wonder about the reviewer's logic. How can a book that deals with a magically created golem and a magically summoned jinni not be fantasy? My suspicion is that this is yet another example of literary snobbery--the idea that if it's any good it can't be genre.

Shomeret wrote: "Maria wrote: "There's also a very good review over at Fantasy literature for this book. That's where I first heard about it:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi..."

T..."

Oh, I don't think it is snobbery since the whole site reviews fantasy or urban fantasy! They're pretty much a genre site. But I don't know what the reviewer meant by that unless they are used to the more Tolkien style epic fantasy? Who knows!

I plan on reading this one sometime this month.

Here is a good review from the NY Times if you are interested http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/19/boo...

I had read this in August, and I really love it. Took a week for me to finish, simply because I don't want the story to end. In the first the story more like a piece of puzzle, until the Jinni met the Golem. Then it's become a one complete picture in the end. I know it's so slow Maria, maybe in another time you can read it until finish.

I categorize this in historical fiction with a touch of fantasy

currently reading it!

Helene Wecker didn't win first place in the Goodreads Choice Awards of 2013 with this great book, too bad, but she did come in second in Best Debut Goodreads Author and third in Fantasy votes.

Loved it. But then, I've always been fascinated with golems, non-human beings trying to go about "being humans", and similar themes. I guess this is the kind of book which is spot on for someone like me.

I didn't love it, but I thought that the concept could have more potential in a context where the characters would be less circumscribed by convention. Who could the Golem and the Jinni be in the 1920's, for example?

Really enjoying it so far, should finish it tonight

Shomeret wrote: "I didn't love it, but I thought that the concept could have more potential in a context where the characters would be less circumscribed by convention. Who could the Golem and the Jinni be in the ..."

Who knows maybe there will be a sequel! Since both creatures live a very long time, there could be a continuation in the 20s. I would love to read it!