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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was incredibly wonderful. It tugged at my heartstrings every step of the way. It was not a thrilling tale of adventure and love, but a story of a young man trying to use a gift without being hated by his culture. The need for grace in the world really struck me. This book has helped me look at my own self differently, and at other people. It encouraged me to value life for more than just another life that can make more life, but as an actual individual. I believe everyone should read this book, even if you hate it in the end.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I forgot how brutal the last thirty pages of this book are.
Potok manages to build incredibly quiet, slow stories, frequently with conversations that teeter on the edge of stilted, into narrative conclusions that suddenly and painfully draw everything into focus.
I first read this book in high school. As I was reading it these last couple of months, I admit I was not "getting" why high school me had thought so highly of it that it still sat on that "great books I really need to re-read" mental shelf. I still was underlining as I went, adding to the dutiful commentary of an AP Lit student, finding Potok's precision and seeing his quality, but not understanding how it had held up to The Chosen at all in my esteem.
And then Asher was painting, and
oh.
OH.
This is not a happy book. And it doesn't really have the moments of cathartic release and comfort of a close friendship that makes The Chosen more bearable.
But yeah, high school me was right. It's good.
Potok manages to build incredibly quiet, slow stories, frequently with conversations that teeter on the edge of stilted, into narrative conclusions that suddenly and painfully draw everything into focus.
I first read this book in high school. As I was reading it these last couple of months, I admit I was not "getting" why high school me had thought so highly of it that it still sat on that "great books I really need to re-read" mental shelf. I still was underlining as I went, adding to the dutiful commentary of an AP Lit student, finding Potok's precision and seeing his quality, but not understanding how it had held up to The Chosen at all in my esteem.
And then Asher was painting, and
oh.
OH.
This is not a happy book. And it doesn't really have the moments of cathartic release and comfort of a close friendship that makes The Chosen more bearable.
But yeah, high school me was right. It's good.
Before reading this book, I had little knowledge of Judaism. After reading this book, I was practically converted. I temper that statement with a full disclosure that this book doesn't always portray Judaism in the most favorable light. But I digress...
Read this book if you haven't. The struggle between the father and son is heartbreaking -- but triumphant nonetheless.
Read this book if you haven't. The struggle between the father and son is heartbreaking -- but triumphant nonetheless.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
slow-paced
A re-read from college days...
I'd forgotten how repetitive the first half of the book was (although the effect is hypnotic, rather than boring), and the writing/language wasn't as smooth as I remembered, but the emotional punch of the ending was still heart-rending. A novel that can be summed up in a single, breath-taking image - stark and powerful.
I'd forgotten how repetitive the first half of the book was (although the effect is hypnotic, rather than boring), and the writing/language wasn't as smooth as I remembered, but the emotional punch of the ending was still heart-rending. A novel that can be summed up in a single, breath-taking image - stark and powerful.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book hurt my head. There were underlying meanings in everything!!! Like when he drinks orange juice, there's this whole reason why; something like inner conflicts brought on by his religion cause him to thirst for something he can rely on!!!! Jeez, maybe he was just thirsty!!