Welcome to Episode 141 of Speculate! The Podcast for Writers, Readers and Fans.  In this episode we begin a new triptych of shows with our reader response to Helene Wecker‘s extraordinary The Golem and the Jinni.  Along with Paul Weimer (of SF Signal and Skiffy and Fanty fame), we talk about the incredible worldbuilding in the book, the way even side characters are fully realized, and how the turn of the century New York flavor really draws the reader into the tale–along with the ways the two main characters play off each other.  As you’ll be able to tell, we’re all big fans of the book, and we were glad to have Paul join us to talk about it.  If you like what you hear, don’t forget to check back next week when we’ll have Helene Wecker herself to chat about the book.  And if you haven’t already, please check out our Patreon and consider becoming a patron so we can continue to bring you analysis of the best authors, editors and artists in speculative fiction.  Thanks for supporting us here and via our Patreon page, and thanks as always for listening to and spreading the word about the show!