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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Although I had to look up many of the references to Hasidic culture, Potok's story of an incredibly gifted artistic young Jewish boy growing up in his Orthodox family in Brooklyn in the aftermath of World War II is absolutely magical. As the conflict with his strict father (who travels through Europe establishing Hasidic communities) and grieving mother (whose brother has died prematurely) grows into an increasingly difficult struggle with his Rebbe, his schoolmates, and his community, Asher Lev digs ever deeper into his unyielding commitment to his incredibe artistic gifts, bravely facing the duality of his existence. Beautifully written and compelling, and I couldn't help but think of the challenges of my artist friends and son as I read.
This is probably going to be the last book of the year for me, and I can’t imagine a better way to close out my reading year. This left me speechless, in the best way. I started and finished this in the same day, which is wild because I was both trying to read slowly in order to enjoy it as long as possible, and at the same time wanting to devour it as fast as I could. Tragic, powerful, a love song for anyone who’s found that they don’t fit in, a warning about the frightening power of creativity vs. faith and family - I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time.
Not my favorite Potak-start with some other book of his if this is your first introduction.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While the plot is interesting, I didn't like the author's first person narrative.
Could Art and Religion be compatible? This book tells us the story of a little boy named Asher Lev, a Hasidic Jew who develops an extraordinary artistic sense from 4. Unfortunately for his parents, who are very believers in his community, it is only a vice he must combat to not "fall" into the other world. It is, therefore, a real heartbreak for Asher, and it is exciting/interesting to follow this child's journey and then this adolescent.
What an excellent book! I feel inspired and I feel as though I have learned something about Jewish traditions. Potok does a wonderful job at balancing art and tradition. Although I am no prodigy, I feel inspired to draw and paint.
I've been wanting to read this one since high school, and I'm so glad I did. The story tells of a young art prodigy who's also the son of an important man in his Hasidic Jewish community, where a gift for art is considered to be from the Other Side. There are a lot of terms and references that I didn't always understand (thanks, Google!), but Potok has a beautiful way of making Asher's inner struggle real and relatable even for non-Jews.
This book was simple and beautiful, both in terms of the plot and the prose, and I think that is why I loved it. I was (and am) very impressed that a story so thin on twists could be so engaging, and that uncomplicated writing could be so inspiring. Although I literally have nothing in common with the main character (he is an artistic Hasidic Jew living in NYC post WWII), I found Asher Lev and his trials to be poignant and relevant. Highly recommended if you are looking for something artsy, and/or something to make you feel bad about yourself as a speaker/writer of the English language.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes