The Golem and the Jinni

Rating: 5 Stars

To obtain five stars is no small task though it is not an unattainable one. Unlike a top ten list, there is no limit on how many books can have five stars. It just must be wonderful.

There are the obvious quotas that make a book worthy of the five star title; exemplary prose, background, characters, plot –you get the picture. Abstractly, these guidelines may seem pointless, absurd even. But the point of them is to put into rough words what makes a book so great; the combined effects of all of those characteristics to create a story.

I have seen so many half-baked adventures in my time. Some stories have great foundations for an incredible universe with flattest, two-dimensional characters I have ever seen. Other times the prose might be apt but the story lacks a great groundwork to make it stand the test of time. And in even some others the plot is just so terribly bland that I am tempted to use its pages as kindling for camp fires.

But this is a book of great quality- a masterpiece. It is no incomplete story, it suffers from no amateur hand, and the plot is well-thought out. Within its pages is a spellbinding tale with a wonderfully written narrative, rich background, and in-depth characters.

Specifically, I loved the multiple points of view, especially how everyone connected to one another in this invisible web. The characters were a pleasure and fun to read. What I liked most about them is that they were all very distinct without falling underneath tired old tropes. I love the slow, smooth and seamless transitions in the two protagonists’ relationship from strangers to the best of friends.

Furthermore, the author handled the subtlety of expressions and emotions and the finer aspects of passion expertly. There was no lull in the book, I never felt like I was drudging along in a sea of words. Instead, I was invigorated and completely captivated. It was the perfect length as well. I have a metaphorical sweet tooth for books that are around 500 pages long so when I plucked it from the library’s shelf, I was buzzing with glee.

It is truly a fine-quality item and suffice to say, reading this book has left me inspired.

One day I hope I can shake the hand of this author and tell her that she writes how I’ve always thought books should be written. I wish the author, Helene Wecker, great success and I hope to read all of her future books. I wait with baited breath for more of her work.