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Fantasy
1900
New York
The Golem and the Djinni, by Helene
Wecker, has a thoroughly developed historical setting in New York around the
year 1900. At that time, much of the city was divided into small zones each
housing a particular cultural or ethnic group - the two which are most in view
here are ones which house Jewish and Syrian immigrants. Every so often the
characters make forays into more affluent regions.
However, as you
would gather from the title, the story blends fantasy elements into that basic
setting. These are introduced by mythical beings representing each of those two
cultures. If you like, the immigrants have brought their own fantasies with
them.
The golem, a
manufactured creature derived from Jewish thought, is female in form, and was
originally constructed to be wife to an Eastern European immigrant. He dies on
board ship while heading towards America, leaving the golem Chava to find her
own way through life. Her nature compels her to want to obey the spoken or
unspoken wishes of the people around. This is a constant source of difficulty,
as she tries to reconcile the conflicting demands of great numbers of people.
The djinni
Ahmad - a creature of fire, and many centuries old - represents the Syrian
area. He was bound long ago into human form by the work of a magician, and is
trying to find out how to unravel the binding. His other struggle is how to
avoid boredom without his true nature being discovered.
Inevitably the
two come into contact, and try to resolve their opposite problems. One has been
built for obedience and conformity, but now has to make her own choices. The
other craves a wild and unrestrained life, but has to cope with limitation.
Around that basic dilemma a collection of interesting human characters orbit,
and the exploration of cross-cultural New York is itself fascinating.
One particular
character - perhaps the only one with a truly malignant agenda, and at times a
little cartòonish in comparison with other people - comes to dominate the plot
line in the later stages, as the main protagonists each decide how to cope with
his influence.
All in all a
most enjoyable book, which I thoroughly recommend. It could appeal to anyone
who likes some fantasy stirred in with their history.
© Richard
Abbott
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