In addition to all of the great nonfiction I read, I read a lot of great fiction this year too. I haven’t reviewed all of it, but I have tried to write about books I really enjoyed or books that have gotten some general buzz. With that in mind, here are some brief thoughts on a couple other books I picked up in the last couple months.
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
In The Golem and the Jinni, a chance meeting between mythical beings takes readers on a journey through cultures in turn-of-the-century New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life to by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic and dies at sea on the voyage from Poland. Chava is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York harbor in 1899. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire born in the ancient Syrian desert, trapped in an old copper flask, and released in New York City, though still not entirely free. Ahmad and Chava become unlikely friends and soul mates with a mystical connection.
I used to read a lot of historical and contemporary fantasy novels. This was, at least in part, because when I was a kid I used to choose books from the library based on length, not subject, and fantasy novels tend to be really, really long. Although I tend to read more nonfiction now, I still love picking up a book that plays with elements of genre fiction.
The Golem and the Jinni is definitely literary, historical fiction, but I loved the use of myth and fantasy elements in the story. I also really enjoyed the characters of the golem and the jinni. Wecker brings their differing personalities to light in the context of immigrant communities at the turn-of-the-century. This was a wonderful, absorbing read.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
It begins with a boy. Theo Decker, a thirteen-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don’t know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his unbearable longing for his mother, he clings to one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art. As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love-and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.
I finished this enormous, 784 page brick of a novel a couple months ago, and Iām still not sure what to say about it. I felt very smart while I was reading it because I recognized the novel as Dickensian before I read any reviews that called it Dickensian. I also read the entire book with absolutely no idea where the plot was going, but deeply happy to go along for the ride. Donna Tartt knows how to write a gorgeous sentence that hooks into other elegant sentences that build into these lush and descriptive paragraphs and chapters. The Goldfinch was a pleasure to read, even when it felt like it was never going to get anywhere (hence, Dickensian [but in a good way]).
Disclosure:Ā I received copies of both books from their respective publishers for review consideration.Ā
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EW just listed Wecker’s book as one of the best of the year! I was a little afraid to read it because fantasy is not my thing, but I know that is close-minded and I probably in reality would love it. The Goldfinch too…I put it off because it was so long! I’m probably missing out big time. Maybe I need to pursue audio?
I actually think the fantasy element in The Golem and the Jinni was pretty subtle and sophisticated. It’s more about myths and legends than it is what you typically think about with fantasy. If you like historical fiction, then I think it’ll be enjoyable.
How funny that you paired these two together. These are my two favorite books of 2013!
I really enjoyed The Goldfinch, too – it was meandering at times but, because of the writing, that didn’t bother me.
I am planning to read Goldfinch this month. Its size is scaring me but the good reviews I’ve read is making me hope that this book is worth it.
It’s definitely a chunkster. It took me a long time to read, but in the end I felt like it was worth it.
I started The Golem and The Jinni, but because of my weird mood this year never finished either. I will have to read The Goldfinch one day, but I am not in a big rush!
Is it weird that I’ve read all these chunksters this year and for some reason the size of The Golem and The Jinni scares me? I think it’s because it’s fantasy AND chunky. I have a copy and every time I see another great review I reach for it…I’ll get there!
The Golem and the Jinni read really fast for me, if that helps you with your decision š
I will likely get to The Goldfinch in 2014 but b/c of its size I’m not in a huge hurry. Big fan though after reading the Secret History twice over the years.
I can’t wait for The Goldfinch! I bought it Black Friday for cheeeeeaaaaaapppppp and will be reading it SOON!
Also, I enjoyed The Golem but I wish it was like 150 pages shorter. Even though I love books of all sizes, sometimes I find myself wanting to slim down some of the huge chunksters.
That’s interesting! I felt like the book clipped along pretty well. I’m not sure what I would cut if I were going to trim it.
I just ordered The Goldfinch from Audible. I needed something on the longer side to listen to over Christmas break. Hopefully I’ll like it.
I love how you paired these two together! I’m starting a Goldfinch read-along tomorrow. Plus, I didn’t finish The Golem and the Jinni. I’ll get to it this year or next. š
I think it’s a lot of fun that you intentionally picked longer books when you were younger š I’ve heard such good things about The Golem and The Jinni, I can’t wait to read it.
Picking long books started out of necessity. I read ALL THE TIME but only got rides to the library every couple of weeks — I need big books to keep me occupied š
I want to read both of these books!
I have both of these on my library wishlist! I don’t know if I can do The Goldfinch… that is a long audio haul! I should read The Secret History first.
Remind me — have you read The Secret History? I liked The Goldfinch quite a bit but it did move slowly! And The Secret History, in its second half at least, felt like it was moving at a breakneck pace.
I did read The Secret History. I think I loved it? I’m having trouble remembering now… weird. I do remember the incredible pace of the last half of that book.
I agree that The Golem and the Jinni was an easy read, and parts of it were really funny. The Golem angst. The parts about free will for characters whose natures have been determined by fictional traditions. It reminded me of the bit in Moonlighting when Cher’s character says she’s in love with Nicolas Cage’s character and another character yells “Get Over It!”
I love your comparisons š
Goldfinch stares me in the face every time I open my Kindle Daily Deals email because it’s always one of the top cellars, but I never get around to buying it! Perhaps in 2014…
It’s a book that takes a little patience, in part because it moves forward slowly. But I think the payoff is worth it š
I’m have both of these on my wish list. Which one do you recommend more?
Honestly, depends what you’re on the mood to read; they are very different book. If you want history or something a little fantastical, the I’d grab The Golem and the Jinni. If you want something that’s contemporary and more grounded, I think The Goldfinch would be a better pick.
Thanks. I just want something I can’t put down! Sometimes I choose a book with great reviews on a bestseller list and it feels like a university school assignment as opposed to entertainment. š
I think The Golem and the Jinni would be better for that then. The Goldfinch is great, but it’s a much slower build.
Thanks!