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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
An amazing book full of emotion as a religious Jew struggles between pleasing his family and community, and his need to be a great painter.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A beautiful, humane and inspiring book - perfectly captures the tensions between the individual with his brilliant creative impulse and the tradition and life of the religious community with its sacrificial and costly commitment to each others' well-being. Asher Lev is a brilliant creation - we struggle with him as he grows up and charts a path through the confusions and inconsistencies of modern life. He is a very sympathetic character. Potok is one of those rare writers who can evoke the mind and confusions of a child perfectly. What's more, the book provides the reader with real insight (emotional and cultural) to a culture which seems alien to many and yet which has suffered and survived.
This book is as relevant now as it ever was - both for a secularising world which is uncomprehending about the religious life, and for the technological and corporate world which is uncomprehending about the artistic life. Truly magnificent.
This book is as relevant now as it ever was - both for a secularising world which is uncomprehending about the religious life, and for the technological and corporate world which is uncomprehending about the artistic life. Truly magnificent.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is slow and boring in the way that makes it realistic to life. Small things culminate together to create someone's being and we see that develop through Asher Lev's childhood. It seems only right to describe this book as a truthful depiction of skill being refined and ideas being flushed out.
We get some great tutors in life, art, and religion. It's cool to see all the influences on Asher as a person and how he carefully takes those words into consideration. I can't speak on the religious or cultural significance of Asher's experience but the author makes it easy to learn and relate.
From an art perspective,either by painting the crucifixion of his family or the naked bodies, I feel like there exists a perverse nature to paintings and art that isn't always explored. Artists tend to overlook that aspect for some reason, but I appreciate Asher's acknowledgement of it and caution as he walks along that line.
Finally,
I am an artist, so this book just spoke to me. It feels like this book was written for someone who looked at the world in an artistic way, both the good and the bad of it. I feel like I relate to Asher, how he sees the details of everything and how it feels like a curse sometimes.I also stole art supplies as a kid so I guess we have that in common to drive that point home. Loved taking my time with it. Loved how it was written and how it made me feel.
We get some great tutors in life, art, and religion. It's cool to see all the influences on Asher as a person and how he carefully takes those words into consideration. I can't speak on the religious or cultural significance of Asher's experience but the author makes it easy to learn and relate.
From an art perspective,
Finally,
I am an artist, so this book just spoke to me. It feels like this book was written for someone who looked at the world in an artistic way, both the good and the bad of it. I feel like I relate to Asher, how he sees the details of everything and how it feels like a curse sometimes.
Another book that sparked my love of characters who are trying to find their identities
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
