The Golem and the JinniThe Golem and the Jinni
Score Modern
What it's about
In 1899, two magical beings arrive in New York. Chava is a golem, a woman made of clay, brought to life to be a wife for a man who dies on the voyage from Poland, leaving her alone and able to hear everyone's desires. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, released from an old copper flask in a tinsmith's shop in Little Syria after a thousand years. They meet, become friends, and face a danger from the past.
Why it's worth reading
It was a Nebula finalist. It's an enchanting historical fantasy about immigrants, rich with Jewish and Arab folklore.
You'll love it if you liked
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Babel
Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellGood to know
It's leisurely, with many backstories. It stands alone, though there's a sequel.
By the numbers
- Readers68 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics24 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller51 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz1 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #97 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #119 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #432 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #834 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Moving
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Quick answers
Is The Golem and the Jinni worth reading?
Yes. It was a Nebula finalist. It ranks #834 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Golem and the Jinni about?
In 1899, two magical beings arrive in New York. Chava is a golem, a woman made of clay, brought to life to be a wife for a man who dies on the voyage from Poland, leaving her alone and able to hear everyone's desires. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, released from an old copper flask in a tinsmith's shop in Little Syria after a thousand years. They meet, become friends, and face a danger from the past.
How long does it take to read The Golem and the Jinni?
About 12 hours (486 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Golem and the Jinni?
If you liked it, try The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon, Babel by R. F. Kuang or Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke.