Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I first read this book in HS. Now I teach it to my 12th grade English class. While it may be about religion, that is just on the surface. I have thought about replacing it just because of the religion, but my students love it!!!! The themes of friendship and perception are classic. And, it is good for my inner city kids to learn about something they have no clue about. There are so many metaphors and symbols in this book. The entire baseball scene is a metaphor for the entire book. while reading, pay attention to how many times Potok mentions the eyes or seeing. Perception is a main theme. One of my favorites. I reread it every year with my kids.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I had previously read My Name is Asher Lev, also by Potok, and it left me wanting. The Chosen, however, I found a fantastic read. I was inspired by the unconditional love shown by the fathers in the story.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Centred on the unlikely friendship between two Jewish boys, Danny and Reuven and their relationships with their fathers. We live not far from a community that is similar to the ultra-strict Jewish Hasidic community of Danny, so I found this aspect of the book very interesting. The book is beautifully written with a gentle pace and the portrayal of the relationships is particularly moving.
- Lines of note:
- "Reuven, as you grow older you will discover that the most important things that will happen to you will often come as a result of silly things, you call them, "ordinary things' is a better expression. That is the way the world is." (Page 94)
- So true. We all have our sliding door moments.
- A man must fill his life with meaning, meaning is not automatically given to life. It is hard work to fill one's life with meaning. That I do not think you understand yet. A life filled with meaning is worthy of rest. I want to be worthy of rest when I am no longer here. Do you understand what I am saying?" (Page 784)
- Rueven's dad explains why he cannot give up his work campaigning for an Israeli state despite his ill health.
- You can listen to silence, Reuven. I've begun to realize that you can listen to silence and learn from it. It has a quality and a dimension all its own. It talks to me sometimes. I feel myself alive in it. It talks. And I can hear it ... Sometimes-sometimes it cries, and you can hear the pain of the world in it. It hurts to listen to it then. But you have to."(Page 225)
- Danny is bought up in silence by his father, which is probably why silence carries the pain of the world for him?
- Lines of note:
- "Reuven, as you grow older you will discover that the most important things that will happen to you will often come as a result of silly things, you call them, "ordinary things' is a better expression. That is the way the world is." (Page 94)
- So true. We all have our sliding door moments.
- A man must fill his life with meaning, meaning is not automatically given to life. It is hard work to fill one's life with meaning. That I do not think you understand yet. A life filled with meaning is worthy of rest. I want to be worthy of rest when I am no longer here. Do you understand what I am saying?" (Page 784)
- Rueven's dad explains why he cannot give up his work campaigning for an Israeli state despite his ill health.
- You can listen to silence, Reuven. I've begun to realize that you can listen to silence and learn from it. It has a quality and a dimension all its own. It talks to me sometimes. I feel myself alive in it. It talks. And I can hear it ... Sometimes-sometimes it cries, and you can hear the pain of the world in it. It hurts to listen to it then. But you have to."(Page 225)
- Danny is bought up in silence by his father, which is probably why silence carries the pain of the world for him?
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was one of my favorite books as a middle schooler, but I wonder what I'd think of it now.
Historical novel about two Jewish families living in Brooklyn at the end of World War II and the subsequent creation of Israel.
Interesting… very interesting. I learned a lot, and I have some strong feelings.
Interesting… very interesting. I learned a lot, and I have some strong feelings.
Amazing. But dated. Nowadays Reb Saunders would be less liberal and accepting of his son's desire to wander the world outside of Williamsburg.