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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.
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
ginabyeg's review against another edition
3.0
Typically, any book on Goodreads with an average rating over 4 stars is a pretty safe bet. However, this novel left me feeling underwhelmed. I did not find Chaim Potok to be a strong writer. First, the narration is redundant and banal. "I did this. Then I went here. It looked like this. Then I went there. And I did that." I lost track of how many times it was mentioned that he used the bathroom in the middle of the night. I also feel like the author had a goal for every character to say the name "Asher" at least once per page.
The book is supposed to be this story of tension between Asher and his parents as he creates art, which is apparently a disgrace to the Jewish tradition. However, there is not enough backstory to fully understand the Jewish beliefs around art. The parents are upset and angry without really knowing the full context. It just seems ridiculous. And due to the redundant narration, the story is devoid of sufficient emotion to make the end really come together in a powerful way.
I wanted to see how it turned out, and I was hoping something would change in the writing style, but I would not be worse off without this book.
The book is supposed to be this story of tension between Asher and his parents as he creates art, which is apparently a disgrace to the Jewish tradition. However, there is not enough backstory to fully understand the Jewish beliefs around art. The parents are upset and angry without really knowing the full context. It just seems ridiculous. And due to the redundant narration, the story is devoid of sufficient emotion to make the end really come together in a powerful way.
I wanted to see how it turned out, and I was hoping something would change in the writing style, but I would not be worse off without this book.