Reviews

My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

moreliajoy's review against another edition

5.0

This book doesn't wait for you to find a place for it in your heart. It carves itself into your very soul and refuses to go even when you cry out in grief.

Asher Lev was never a real person, but he lives so vibrantly in these words on a page that I have seen his paintings in my dreams. On the other hand, there is almost too much truth in this book for it to have ever happened.

500000/5 I recommend for everyone, no matter what you believe in, as long as you have looked at a painting and wondered how much pain its beauty caused and how much pain caused its beauty.

emerygirl's review against another edition

3.0

I learned a lot about Jewish Culture in this book. I also learned about art. Potok does a great job creating a picture of his characters in this book.

kenzie_may's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

karinlib's review against another edition

5.0

If I were an author, I would love to be able to write like Potok. A book that pulls you in, and doesn't let you go until you finish the last word.

I read [b:The Chosen|187181|The Chosen (Reuven Malther, #1)|Chaim Potok|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403191327l/187181._SY75_.jpg|1336083] back in high school, and that was the beginning of my love for this author. I have read it multiple times. I used to think that [b:The Book of Lights|11498|The Book of Lights|Chaim Potok|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1166479789l/11498._SY75_.jpg|13942] was my favorite. Now, after reading this book again, I think I have no Potok favorites, I just love them all. His books still resonate, they are as illuminating as when I read them as a teenager.

liann24's review against another edition

5.0

Artists with a spiritual upbringing would appreciate this book.

martidc's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

sorinahiggins's review against another edition

5.0

Fantastic book! The most coherent answer I have yet read to all aesthetic questions, all the more amazing because it doesn’t answer them… it just is the answer, or the art that lives in the book is the answer. Anyhow, it’s about an Orthodox Jew who is born with an incredible, uncontrollable gift for painting. His parents don’t understand this non-Orthodox gift, this “waste of time.” He should be learning Torah & traveling around the world helping other Hasidim, not scribbling on walls & on the pages of sacred books! But the Rabbi eventually realizes that this is Asher’s gift, & sends him to study with a great (but non-religious) artist. Asher’s parents are more and more alienated, especially when he begins painting models in the nude and studying crucifixes—because “I can’t get that expression anywhere else.” Brilliant and heartbreaking.

laporziuncula's review against another edition

4.0

I didn't like this as much as the Chosen, but it's a good novel.

garitchie's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

roodles's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0