The Book Nook
Worth the Wait?
A previous Book Nook article featured Helene Wecker’s imaginative debut novel “The Golem and the Jinni”, which told the story of two mythical creatures against the backdrop of New York City in 1899. Eight years later we have her sequel: “The Hidden Palace”.
As in the first book, the two main characters are symbolic of American immigrants and those who haven’t read it should be prepared for spoilers.
After opening with a clever prologue, this historical saga picks up where it left off, following the same two protagonists – Chava and Ahmad. Chava is a golem who can hear the thoughts of humans and she’s driven by a need to help others. Ahmad appears to be an amazing artist but is really is a jinni imprisoned in a man’s body. Both must hide their true selves from the public or risk being seen as monsters and destroyed.
It’s 1900 and the work lives of Chava and Ahmad are going well. She’s still at the bakery, where her skills garnered so much additional business that she’s given additional responsibilities. She’s surprised by how much she enjoys some of her new duties and unaware that one will take her life in a new direction.
Ahmad’s talent with metal-working has transformed the business of his employer, Arbeely. Instead of repairing pots and pans, Ahmad now creates objects with artistic merit. It’s clear they’re outgrowing their little tin shop and may have to find new space.
The tenuous friendship Chava and Ahmad forged continues, despite the tempestuous clashes readers will remember from the first book. While vastly different from each other, they share the knowledge that people will never understand how isolated it feels not to be human. This exclusion provides a unique bond, and each relies on the other as a trustworthy confidant. While their lives are inextricably linked, they’re still unsure what their relationship means.
Watching them grow as individuals and friends is one of the joys of the story, with its themes of otherness and assimilation. An additional motif is growth and self-discovery, with both realizing their impact on others, for better or worse. Further growth comes from both welcome and unwanted changes brought by their influence.
In addition to the two central characters, there are some familiar faces from the first book. One is Sophia Winston, the heiress whose short liaison with Ahmad left her with a strange malady. We follow her as she travels the Middle East, hoping to find a cure for her debilitating illness. Through her we learn about other cultures as she adapts to a life she never could have imagined. The expenses of traveling are possible thanks to the largess of her father, who envies her traveling life.
Readers may also remember shopkeepers Sayeed and his wife Maryam. She still serves as the neighborhood’s glue, keeping a maternal eye on everyone and providing gentle nudges to foster cooperation and peace. Chava’s friend Anna and her son Toby are also in the story and he struggles to cope with terrifying nightmares.
One of the new characters include a young Jewish girl named Kreindel, who shares an intriguing secret with her father. Together they create something that brings comfort and danger. She will prove to be the most resourceful and adaptable of all the characters, matching Chava’s tenacity with her own. Two new creatures bring added interest and danger to the plot. History buffs may wish to keep an eye out for real life figures who make brief appearances.
In spite of the many characters, all are well-defined and readers needn’t worry about keeping up. The thread of each one is carefully woven into the plot with new challenges to provide plenty of interest.
While the first novel covered one year of the protagonists’ lives, this sequel spans the period from 1900-1915. The graceful writing that I admired in the first book is present here, along with a slightly more mature feel. Supernatural powers continue to be featured as gifts and drawbacks. Chava’s ability to know what others are thinking is a double-edged sword that prompts a new direction to her life, while Ahmad’s focus on a special project could spell disaster.
NOTE: In the aforementioned article, I mistakenly noted that “The Golem and the Jinni” won one award. More thorough research showed it actually received more awards and nominations than I originally thought, so apologies for the error.
Wecker was wise to take her time with the sequel as it doesn’t feel rushed or incomplete. It is definitely worth the long wait. Fans of Charles Dickens will appreciate the similar style of storytelling and finished characters. Those who can suspend disbelief will be rewarded with a charming read filled with characters who are perfectly positioned for the next installment.
