The Golem and the Jinni

Published in 2013, The Golem and the Jinni is Helene Wecker’s debut novel. As its title implies, the novel follows the story of a Golem named Chava and a Jinni named Ahmad as they navigate the chaotic realities of New York City in 1899 and 1900. Even as they both struggle to hide their true natures and blend into their local communities, they learn to trust each other on the difficult path to reconciling their tumultuous pasts with their uncertain futures. While the novel’s premise is based in fantasy, the protagonists’ challenges reflect the many trials that await all immigrants who must learn to adapt to a new culture.

Born in a suburb of Chicago, Wecker’s career in marketing took her to Minneapolis and Seattle, and she eventually moved to New York City and earned a master of fine arts (MFA) from Columbia University. She currently lives in San Francisco with her husband and child. In 2013, she published The Golem and the Jinni and received critical acclaim from The Washington Post, USA Today, The New York Times Book Review, The Boston Globe, and many more. The historical fantasy novel was awarded the Mythopoeic Award for Wecker’s outstanding work in myth and fantasy.