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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
This was my first, but not my last, Chaim Potok book. I was totally fascinated by the mystique of the New York Hasidic community, something I was totally unfamiliar with as an Evangelical Christian from a small town in Michigan. I also loved the pull between his fervent religious belief and his need to make art, even if others saw it as blasphemous. I'm sure I could relate to that as a child with a talent for art and writing that didn't always manifest itself in godly ways. Highly recommended.
I found this book very hard to get into. I found Asher Lev to be not a very likable character but a character that remained true to his identity. By the end of the book, I was definitely more engaged in the story.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
really beautiful tracing of an artist's coming of age. all the circuitousness of growing up, the love of family and community, and then being unable to not let them down.
(2.5 stars) I found the story very slow-moving and boring but I don't have the soul of an artist...maybe that is what it takes to enjoy this book.
A great commentary on the interaction of religion and art. While the characters aren't always believable, Potok's ideas and historical insights are valuable.
I'm not really sure how to rate this book. It was very well written, and had great descriptive language and really did a good job of describing emotions, feelings, and motivations. My only complaint in that regard, is we know at the beginning of the book Asher is 5, then he's 6, and then we don't get told an age again until 10, and I was kind of left wondering how old he was.
But, the thing that really bothered me is that I hated him. He was 100% selfish and just did what he wanted to do. It's not like a lot of clueless kids (or adults), he fully knew the hurt he was causing, even thought about it ahead of time and was still unable to do the right and unselfish thing. And what he did at the end of the book was absolutely reprehensible and made me want to slap him. His mother was never anything but good to him and self-sacrificing and he crapped all over her and his father. All in the name of art, supposedly, but I think it was more in the name of self-interest.
But, the thing that really bothered me is that I hated him. He was 100% selfish and just did what he wanted to do. It's not like a lot of clueless kids (or adults), he fully knew the hurt he was causing, even thought about it ahead of time and was still unable to do the right and unselfish thing. And what he did at the end of the book was absolutely reprehensible and made me want to slap him. His mother was never anything but good to him and self-sacrificing and he crapped all over her and his father. All in the name of art, supposedly, but I think it was more in the name of self-interest.
Much of the book is familiar "be true to yourself" coming-of-age material, although written extremely well. But the build up to the conclusion is unusually powerful.
A classic ... one of my favorite books. Portrait of a young artist growing up in a conservative Jewish family.
This book touches on all of my passions- art, family, religion. Potok handles each with such skill, descriptions that convey without beating me over the head. I appreciated the details about Jewry without blatant explanation; I learn what those things are by experience with the characters, not through a long-winded explanation. This book is thoughtful but not overly sentimental, intelligent but relate-able.
Asher Lev could be my soul twin that took the road less traveled, I looked at that art path and decided that the sacrifices weren't worth it. At this time in my life I needed this book, to remember why I've made the choices I have.
For me, it is nearly a perfect book.
Asher Lev could be my soul twin that took the road less traveled, I looked at that art path and decided that the sacrifices weren't worth it. At this time in my life I needed this book, to remember why I've made the choices I have.
For me, it is nearly a perfect book.