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The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

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Love The Golem and the Jinni but not sure what to read next?

These picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Complete a quick Shelf Talk to get recommendations made just for you! Warning: possible spoilers for The Golem and the Jinni below.

In The Golem and the Jinni, did you enjoy ...

... rich, atmospheric worldbuilding and magical realism in a historical setting?

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

If you were captivated by the lush detail and mystical immersion of late-19th-century New York in The Golem and the Jinni, you’ll be entranced by the world of The Night Circus. Morgenstern conjures a mesmerizing, magical circus that appears without warning and is filled with enchantments, rival magicians, and an intricately imagined setting that feels alive with possibility.

... mythology woven into the fabric of everyday life?

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

If you were drawn to the blend of Middle Eastern and Jewish folklore animating Chava and Ahmad’s story, The Bear and the Nightingale will enchant you with its tapestry of Russian fairy tales and myth. Vasya’s journey is steeped in spirits, ancient magic, and the intersection of old beliefs with a changing world—much like the magical realism that made Wecker’s novel so compelling.

... the internal journeys and growth of magical outsiders?

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

If you found yourself moved by Chava and Ahmad’s struggles to find belonging and purpose in a world not made for them, The Book of Lost Things offers a similarly poignant exploration. Young David, reeling from loss, finds himself in a fantastical realm where he must confront his fears and grow beyond them, echoing the transformative arcs at the heart of The Golem and the Jinni.

... slow-burning magic and nuanced relationships between magical beings?

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

If you appreciated the gradual unfolding of Chava and Ahmad’s relationship and the measured, atmospheric pace of Wecker’s novel, the elegant, deliberate storytelling of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell will draw you in. Set in a magical version of 19th-century England, it delves deeply into the lives and evolving partnership of two very different magicians.

... diverse characters navigating magical realism in a richly multicultural city?

The City Of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty

If you loved the vibrant, immigrant-filled neighborhoods of turn-of-the-century New York and the way The Golem and the Jinni weaves together cultural identities, you’ll be swept away by The City of Brass. Nahri’s adventures in a magical Middle Eastern city are populated by a diverse cast, political intrigue, and the same sense of wonder and otherness that made Wecker’s novel so memorable.

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