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karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
I consider Chaim Potok to be one of my favorite authors because I have read his books multiple times (a rare event for me), and each time I fall in love with his prose. I always come away wishing he had written more.
papidoc's review against another edition
3.0
Another novel from the pen of Chaim Potok, the Book of Lights takes a slightly different, more secular, direction than most of his others. Thought I liked it, it left me with a less hopeful, less positive, less satisfying feeling at its conclusion. Nonetheless, like his other writing, it was quite thought-provoking, and sucked mein from beginning to end.
rumaho76's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bellavigg's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
lauren_endnotes's review against another edition
4.0
The content was different than Potok's other books that I have read, but no less enjoyable. He writes with such a deep emotion, and I love his characters. I liked Gershon's Kabbalistic studies and how they coincided with the images of light throughout the book. I think this book was spurred by many of Potok's own experiences as a war chaplain in Korea.
I am glad I was able to read it... anything by Potok is beautiful!
I am glad I was able to read it... anything by Potok is beautiful!
alyssayafan's review against another edition
2.0
2.25/5–i want faster pace and more plot but certain parts were very interesting
erisedmoon's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 3.5 stars. To describe this book summarily, it's like The Chosen (in the friendships, family, and trying to find answers), except way more tragic and ambiguous. The plot meanders quite a bit (there are too many pages of Gershon traveling to random places or of him reciting prayers; not enough dialogue or definitive events), but DAMN, that ending hit hard. I ended up crying.
**Spoiler review**
Okay, my heart is crying. Arthurrrrrr.
Now I will admit that I did not entirely understand the moral of this book, but I think it was about guilt and responsibility in regards to the Jews' part in the bombing of Hiroshima, and whether the sins of our parents/forefathers (i.e. the "giants") will drown us or whether they'll give rise to a new generation that will mend, create, and destroy something of their own.
Every era goes through this same guilt, and it's a fact of life.
In that, I feel by the end of this book that Gershon has come to a conclusion that he need not dampen his potential out of guilt, and he'll just have to "wait" and see how his accomplishments will affect the world (much like how Arthur's parents brilliant inventions led to destruction). And I really love how this book ends on such an open-ended note of Gershon "waiting" because it not only encompasses the tone of this entire book, it also hammers in the reality that this is how life works: some questions can't be answered, so you just have to wait and trust that there will be answers in the future.
And of course, I cried over Arthur like nuts, but I was relieved that he sent a letter to his parents signifying how he has found peace with them, and within himself. He also found such peace by not going to the place where he wallows in guilt (Hiroshima), but by traveling elsewhere (thanks to Gershon forcing him) and realizing there is still beauty left in this world. It is VERY sad how Arthur dies only after finding that peace, and that he joins his brother in death (something he feared at the beginning), but at least there's catharsis? *sobs uncontrollably*
Bottom line, this is a cerebral book whose morals are almost too obscure at times, yet the ambiguity is precisely what forced me dig deep and piece together this book like puzzle. It may not be the easiest experience at first, but I think the author wanted the reader to search for answers in the same manner that Gershon and Arthur did, so I can respect that.
**Residual thoughts/criticisms**
- Middle dragged a lot. Great at the start and end, but lots of boring details of the war. Felt very much Steinbeck's For Whom the Bells Toll, which I personally wasn't the biggest fan of.
- Prose felt like stream-of-consciousness. Characters ask a question, then answer it themselves. LOTS of long paragraphs, even when it came to dialogue.
- Visions were confusing af, but I think I'll understand it upon a re-read?
"Gershon Loran sat in the light and shade amid the yellow jasmine and purple bougainvillaea and the red and white roses of Jakob Keter's Jersualem gardens, waiting."
**Spoiler review**
Okay, my heart is crying. Arthurrrrrr.
Now I will admit that I did not entirely understand the moral of this book, but I think it was about guilt and responsibility in regards to the Jews' part in the bombing of Hiroshima, and whether the sins of our parents/forefathers (i.e. the "giants") will drown us or whether they'll give rise to a new generation that will mend, create, and destroy something of their own.
Every era goes through this same guilt, and it's a fact of life.
In that, I feel by the end of this book that Gershon has come to a conclusion that he need not dampen his potential out of guilt, and he'll just have to "wait" and see how his accomplishments will affect the world (much like how Arthur's parents brilliant inventions led to destruction). And I really love how this book ends on such an open-ended note of Gershon "waiting" because it not only encompasses the tone of this entire book, it also hammers in the reality that this is how life works: some questions can't be answered, so you just have to wait and trust that there will be answers in the future.
And of course, I cried over Arthur like nuts, but I was relieved that he sent a letter to his parents signifying how he has found peace with them, and within himself. He also found such peace by not going to the place where he wallows in guilt (Hiroshima), but by traveling elsewhere (thanks to Gershon forcing him) and realizing there is still beauty left in this world. It is VERY sad how Arthur dies only after finding that peace, and that he joins his brother in death (something he feared at the beginning), but at least there's catharsis? *sobs uncontrollably*
Bottom line, this is a cerebral book whose morals are almost too obscure at times, yet the ambiguity is precisely what forced me dig deep and piece together this book like puzzle. It may not be the easiest experience at first, but I think the author wanted the reader to search for answers in the same manner that Gershon and Arthur did, so I can respect that.
**Residual thoughts/criticisms**
- Middle dragged a lot. Great at the start and end, but lots of boring details of the war. Felt very much Steinbeck's For Whom the Bells Toll, which I personally wasn't the biggest fan of.
- Prose felt like stream-of-consciousness. Characters ask a question, then answer it themselves. LOTS of long paragraphs, even when it came to dialogue.
- Visions were confusing af, but I think I'll understand it upon a re-read?
papi's review against another edition
3.0
Another novel from the pen of Chaim Potok, the Book of Lights takes a slightly different, more secular, direction than most of his others. Thought I liked it, it left me with a less hopeful, less positive, less satisfying feeling at its conclusion. Nonetheless, like his other writing, it was quite thought-provoking, and sucked mein from beginning to end.
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
2.0
My review of The Book of Lights, written in the manner of The Book of Lights:
Gershon Loran drifts through life. He awaits kabbalistic revelation. Meanwhile, he sees visions and lets others choose his path. He is boring, boring. Arthur Leiden whines. He manipulates. He becomes obsessed with Japan. Because of this obsession, Arthur Leiden dies. I am not sorry.
Some years ago, I read other books by Chaim Potok. [b:The Chosen|187181|The Chosen|Chaim Potok|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312505914s/187181.jpg|1336083], [b:The Promise|11499|The Promise|Chaim Potok|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166479789s/11499.jpg|2954242], [b:My Name Is Asher Lev|11507|My Name Is Asher Lev|Chaim Potok|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1216910027s/11507.jpg|924688], [b:The Gift of Asher Lev|11502|The Gift of Asher Lev|Chaim Potok|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511Q7Q0M2SL._SL75_.jpg|940793]. I read with my head down, enthralled, carried to other worlds. Now I read Book of Lights. I read two paragraphs. I look out the window. I read two paragraphs. When will this torment end? I do not know.
A page-long descriptive paragraph begins. All dialogue stops. Potok tells and does not show. A section of dialogue begins. All description stops. Who is speaking now? I do not know. Are they happy? Scared? Having an orgasm? I do not know. I read a paragraph. I flip ahead. Is the ending retreating? I do not know. I am waiting.
Gershon Loran drifts through life. He awaits kabbalistic revelation. Meanwhile, he sees visions and lets others choose his path. He is boring, boring. Arthur Leiden whines. He manipulates. He becomes obsessed with Japan. Because of this obsession, Arthur Leiden dies. I am not sorry.
Some years ago, I read other books by Chaim Potok. [b:The Chosen|187181|The Chosen|Chaim Potok|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312505914s/187181.jpg|1336083], [b:The Promise|11499|The Promise|Chaim Potok|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166479789s/11499.jpg|2954242], [b:My Name Is Asher Lev|11507|My Name Is Asher Lev|Chaim Potok|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1216910027s/11507.jpg|924688], [b:The Gift of Asher Lev|11502|The Gift of Asher Lev|Chaim Potok|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511Q7Q0M2SL._SL75_.jpg|940793]. I read with my head down, enthralled, carried to other worlds. Now I read Book of Lights. I read two paragraphs. I look out the window. I read two paragraphs. When will this torment end? I do not know.
A page-long descriptive paragraph begins. All dialogue stops. Potok tells and does not show. A section of dialogue begins. All description stops. Who is speaking now? I do not know. Are they happy? Scared? Having an orgasm? I do not know. I read a paragraph. I flip ahead. Is the ending retreating? I do not know. I am waiting.