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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
I really loved this story. Asher's struggle, while specific to his culture and religion is one we can all understand. Asher boldly chooses to follow his passion, though it has the potential to (and does) destroy his family and his community. It is this conflict that we can all recognize within ourselves...do we do what is right and easy or do we follow our hearts?
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Reviews and more on my blog: Entering the Enchanted Castle
The town where I used to live in New York was close to one of the largest communities of Hasidic Jews in the US outside of New York City (and probably in the world). There was a lot of tension with that community because of their insularity, as their growth and spreading affected public services for others nearby. But the strength of their conviction is also fascinating. What keeps them on such an inwardly directed path in the modern world?
I want to know more about such communities and Judaism in general, so I read this novel that's been on my radar for a long time. It was a slow but very touching account of an artist growing up as an only child of strongly dedicated Orthodox parents. His artistic passion is at odds with their ideals, especially the father's, and torments his mother as she feels pulled between them.
It's heartrending to see how well-meaning parents can abuse and neglect their own child, due to their greater concern for the suffering of their whole ethnic group. Of course the plight of Jews in Russia deserves attention, but others can help with that. These two people's relationship to Asher is unique and irreplaceable, and they harm him in ways that may run deeper even than the outwardly anti-Semitic violence with which they are so preoccupied. But they never seem to realize that.
The ending is devastating, with no reconciliation possible between religious and artistic conviction. I have to read the sequel to see if this changes at all.
The town where I used to live in New York was close to one of the largest communities of Hasidic Jews in the US outside of New York City (and probably in the world). There was a lot of tension with that community because of their insularity, as their growth and spreading affected public services for others nearby. But the strength of their conviction is also fascinating. What keeps them on such an inwardly directed path in the modern world?
I want to know more about such communities and Judaism in general, so I read this novel that's been on my radar for a long time. It was a slow but very touching account of an artist growing up as an only child of strongly dedicated Orthodox parents. His artistic passion is at odds with their ideals, especially the father's, and torments his mother as she feels pulled between them.
It's heartrending to see how well-meaning parents can abuse and neglect their own child, due to their greater concern for the suffering of their whole ethnic group. Of course the plight of Jews in Russia deserves attention, but others can help with that. These two people's relationship to Asher is unique and irreplaceable, and they harm him in ways that may run deeper even than the outwardly anti-Semitic violence with which they are so preoccupied. But they never seem to realize that.
The ending is devastating, with no reconciliation possible between religious and artistic conviction. I have to read the sequel to see if this changes at all.
One of the best novels I’ve read in a long time. A must-read for any artists/creatives.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"My Name Is Asher Lev" is a thought-provoking fictional novel about a Hasidic Jew and artist, Asher Lev. As Asher grows from a young boy to a young adult, he illustrates his personal view of the world. Though he still has respect for his Hasidic community, Asher will have to find a balance between the expectations he carries from others and his gift.
As Asher gets older, it becomes more apparent to others around him that he is different. Asher's entire community discourages him from being an artist. It's hard to be isolated from his family and peers, and Asher struggles greatly with finding himself, as well as finding love from others. However, even when it's challenging, Asher finds his path as a true Jew and artist.
This novel is extremely engaging and relatable in so many ways. It covers many themes, subjects, and dynamics, and by the end of each chapter, you are actively questioning aspects of your own life. All of the characters teach you a lesson in some way, and I found that as Asher began to mature throughout the book, so did I as a reader.
I rate this novel 5/5 stars. I highly recommend reading this if you are currently going through any major changes in your life or are watching others around you change. I also recommend this to anyone who is interested in art or art history. This is the best book I have read in a while.
As Asher gets older, it becomes more apparent to others around him that he is different. Asher's entire community discourages him from being an artist. It's hard to be isolated from his family and peers, and Asher struggles greatly with finding himself, as well as finding love from others. However, even when it's challenging, Asher finds his path as a true Jew and artist.
This novel is extremely engaging and relatable in so many ways. It covers many themes, subjects, and dynamics, and by the end of each chapter, you are actively questioning aspects of your own life. All of the characters teach you a lesson in some way, and I found that as Asher began to mature throughout the book, so did I as a reader.
I rate this novel 5/5 stars. I highly recommend reading this if you are currently going through any major changes in your life or are watching others around you change. I also recommend this to anyone who is interested in art or art history. This is the best book I have read in a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, Grief
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Drug use, Car accident
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I almost wish I could take back all the times I called a book 'beautiful' and 'incredible' and 'moving' so I could give more worth to calling this book beautiful and incredible and moving.
dark
sad
medium-paced
I would totally adore this book and all of its themes if the writing wasn't so detached. I also dislike the way Potok describes Asher Painting, and the dialogue feels unrealistic and dull.
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes