I had so been looking forward to this one and I was disappointed. I didn't find it funny. I found it crass. And bumbling.
And not for nothing, I am noI had so been looking forward to this one and I was disappointed. I didn't find it funny. I found it crass. And bumbling.
And not for nothing, I am not reading this 2023 book out of nowhere. We are in the midst of a crisis, but not one for which a golem, or bumbling aggression would be remotely helpful. So what is our modern day response? It had to be one with intellect and compassion and thoughtfulness and extension to others and the world. Everything a golem is not. I have always loved the idea of the golem. But right now, I am looking for real life leaders and complex thoughtful characters who have a sense of what's called for. Thank God I read this in under an hour. It deserved less of my time and thought than that. Not even sure it deserves the time it takes to reflect on the book and try to write a cogent thoughtful review. ...more
Now that was indeed a five star read! I am always a bit worried when a sequel to a beloved book arrives close a decade later. But for anyone who lovedNow that was indeed a five star read! I am always a bit worried when a sequel to a beloved book arrives close a decade later. But for anyone who loved the first book, the Golem and the Jinni, the author writes so the important elements of the first book are slowly revealed so that nothing is lost and the stage is set. And what a beautiful stage and set it is. The book was filled with a continuation through another 15 years that allows history and old and new characters to develop. I rather thought the relationship between the golem and the jinni that had begun in the first book, resembled a modern day marriage and partnership. Where the love is there, but it's hard work. There are arguments, misunderstandings, resentments, and unfulfilled desires. That their love was the most human part about them, bringing them into the world in an entirely human far from divine kind of way. That they needed to learn about human love and its limits and frailties, along with what makes it so divine and magical. I thought the character development of each of them trying to confront the truth of their realities, alone and together, was somehow sort of perfect, if not extremely well done. The story continued to be both magical and psychological.
This can be contrasted with the more immature experience of the new young jinniyeh who has to confront her own beginning journey of exile and mesh with humans and other spiritual creatures. She too is going to have to craft and and confront a blended reality.
One knows that the book is going to bring all of these questions and characters and experiences together somehow, but the ride is so wonderful. Equally wonderful that ties it together not just in the experiences that bond all the characters together as a somewhat family, but that the "mind-meshing" allows them all to truly experience and connect the dots for each of them from their own narratives. That only all of them together, and we the readers hold the whole story, with its many different tales, takes, languages, and endings. There is an incredible beauty to this book. An amazing story weaved. One of growth, depth, honor, loyalty, loss, search for meaning and purpose, family, faith, storytelling, imagination, art - and always of love.
Lots of my friends reviews are saying that the book felt like a second of a trilogy, which it is, whether the author chooses to write the third one or not....more
What a beautiful book. Just when you think you've had enough of World War II and Holocaust to last a lifetime, enters this gem - the World That We KneWhat a beautiful book. Just when you think you've had enough of World War II and Holocaust to last a lifetime, enters this gem - the World That We Knew, by my favorite author, Alice Hoffman.
What's different about this take, is about love and humanity, and the sacrifice and binding love parents have and make for children. There is a father and a daughter, a pair of parents and two sons, a mother, with a mother and a daughter, an older and younger sister pair, a man and his wife, and a golem. And a heron. And a love affair between the two. Yes you heard me, a golem. If you don't know what a Golem is, it's a dangerous Jewish mythical warrior, made from clay. This one, was made by women, in the form of a woman, with a mother's tears in her eyes, infused with love. And Protection, and Devotion, and Mother's Sacrifice. So each and all of the characters have to contend with love, the deepest of bonds, and their humanity - most of all the Golem, who was made for this purpose. There is magical realism, there is also love, loss, resilience, survival-ship, faith, and humanity. 5 stars from me and a favorite....more
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