Helene Wecker

It is hard to believe that this is Helene Wecker's debut novel. There are so many layers to this one and they are all so very well done - there is the immigrant experience told from the point of view of two (literally!!!) immigrant aliens, there are philosophical musings on human nature, there is the contrasting nature of the Golem and the Jinni and overlaid on top of all this is a good old-fashioned rip-roaring yarn involving an evil wizard and his quest for immortality. The novel unfolds quite slowly as it takes its time in exploring these themes. Supporting the main protagonists are a host of secondary characters who are all interesting and substantially fleshed out. Despite its leisurely pace and a storyline that meanders across multiple characters, Wecker is always fully in control. The novel finally gathers pace in the last 100 pages or so when it moves into a more mainstream YA fantasy-like setting. There were some plot points which were jarring and I felt that the ending was a bit of a let down. There was enough ammunition in the multiple plot threads that led up to that point to make it a lot more powerful (ala Bartimaeus trilogy). I kept getting reminded of the Bartimaeus trilogy and Jonathan strange as I was reading this one. It doesn't quite reach the storytelling magic of the former or the grandeur of the latter but overall, still an absolutely great novel.… (lisätietoja)

I picked up 'The Golem and Djinni' in the library as it looked long and promising. Set in late 19th century New York, it's both fantastical and an allegory for immigrant experience. The titular main characters arrive in the city alone and adrift, then gradually learn to live in it before meeting each other. I enjoyed the importance accorded to friendship in the narrative. The golem and djinni make for interesting protagonists and the plot has some ingenious twists. My favourite parts involved consideration of philosophical and theological implications of golems and djinni. Indeed, I would have appreciated more of this. The reader must assume that magic exists and looks different across cultures, yet the fantasy world-building is fragmentary. I wondered where the other golems were and why no-one believed in djinni. Yet the book is already longer than it really needed to be, despite good plotting. It was very readable, although I was never fully immersed in the world and its characters. Something about them just didn't seem visceral. Funnily enough, a quote on the back cover likens it to [b:The Night Circus|9361589|The Night Circus|Erin Morgenstern|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387124618l/9361589._SY75_.jpg|14245059], which I had a very similar experience with. Both novels revolve around neat conceits that feel somehow insubstantial and in need of stronger grounding to have more impact. A pleasant diversion nonetheless.… (lisätietoja)