I was so excited for this well-received story about two beings from Middle Eastern folklore living as humans at the turn of the 20th century in New York City. Unfortunately, it has significant pacing issues (often dragging until it hurtles forward at breakneck pace in the last 100 pages) and the characters felt flat. I couldn’t really get into it. ( )

Magical realism set at the turn of the 20th century in New York City. Combining Hebrew and Mideastern myths into a beautifully written tale. Blending different character narrations into an immersive story with many philosophical questions.

A Golem, a creature made of clay, is brought to life on a ship heading to NYC when her master dies. A Djinni, a creature made of fire, captured in a lamp in Syria but which over the generations traveled to NYC where he is released. Both find themselves in unfamiliar situations and fortunately find guides who keep the secret of who they are and teach them about life. The Golem and Djinni by chance find each other while out at night. As they can share with each other their secrets without it leading to consequences, they have exploratory night excursions in which their very different personalities clash and benefit from each other.

As the writing comes from different perspectives, slowing down the reading in order to adept to the perspectives but it builds the story. This is more a story for personal reflection into how different people respond to similar situations, rather than a story full of quick successions of action.
( )

This was a fascinating book about what makes a person. The jinni and the golem transcend their assigned natures to meet in the middle.

It was also a fascinating book about the clash of cultures, and a fascinating historical novel about turn-of-the-last-century New York, and what life was like for immigrants then. (Again with the clash of cultures).

It was a book about how one man's self absorption had repercussions far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

It was well-written and vivid, and I eschewed several much-anticipated other books in order to finish it. The ending fit perfectly to the story, leaving the reader with hope for the future.

I'm glad I read it. ( )

What a story! Hard to find a word put wrong in this fascinating fantasy tale. ( )

One of the best books I've read. Superb audiobook. ( )