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nemesislore's review against another edition
4.0
A riveting story of a young Jewish boy, Asher, with a gift for drawing, though his parents frown upon it. As he grows he notices more the distance between his faith tradition and his gift, and it brings him a lot of tension as those around him wonder if his gift is holy or evil. The story is melancholy, and instead of using the weather to mirror the emotional climate like many authors do, Potok manages to use Asher's art to convey his feelings. It's a very moving and emotional story.
roeckitcody's review against another edition
4.0
I read most of this book today, and I have to say it was quite beautiful and raised a lot of questions.
amelie5m's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
roeckitcody's review against another edition
4.0
I read most of this book today, and I have to say it was quite beautiful and raised a lot of questions.
deniset's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
emilyst17's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
angie82's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
profberta's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
bperl's review against another edition
4.0
I find I can only start to understand an author’s viewpoint after three full books. This, the third Potok I’ve read, is less enjoyable and more incisive than either “The Chosen” or “The Promise.”
I very much enjoyed his explanations and explorations of art, especially when it’s superimposed upon the iconographiphobic Judaic religion. I also realized something about Potok’s style - he intentionally draws only a bare sketch of his main characters, in order to allow the reader more room to inhabit that character. All the events happen to you, personally; you feel the brunt of the pain and joy Potok maps out for you. Each book becomes a commentary, not only upon the character’s worldview, but upon yours as well. Just brilliant.
Well-written, yet not as engaging. Art is, objectively, a subjectively divisive subject. Any book devoted to it must walk the line between preachy and dull. Potok stumbles sometimes here, but nearly always recovers before the topic closes.
Well worth the read.
I very much enjoyed his explanations and explorations of art, especially when it’s superimposed upon the iconographiphobic Judaic religion. I also realized something about Potok’s style - he intentionally draws only a bare sketch of his main characters, in order to allow the reader more room to inhabit that character. All the events happen to you, personally; you feel the brunt of the pain and joy Potok maps out for you. Each book becomes a commentary, not only upon the character’s worldview, but upon yours as well. Just brilliant.
Well-written, yet not as engaging. Art is, objectively, a subjectively divisive subject. Any book devoted to it must walk the line between preachy and dull. Potok stumbles sometimes here, but nearly always recovers before the topic closes.
Well worth the read.