Reviews

What a stunningly beautiful book. This coming-of-age story is a slow build, but I was never bored, always looking forward to picking it up and finding myself sucked in to Asher Lev’s growing up. He is an artist born into a family and culture that struggles to accept his gift - at times he struggles, too, but the gift doesn’t let him go. The final 70 pages are propulsive and emotional as Asher comes into his own, and I left feeling this will be in my top books of all time. A masterpiece.

marcird's review against another edition

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4.0

I absolutely loved this book. Potok's writing style is immediately engaging and his characters draw you in from page 1. The story is full of religious controversy, which I found to be very though provoking. I read it for my book club and thought it stimulated lots of great discussion. I highly recommend it!

maryanneross's review against another edition

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5.0

Poignant and beautifully written. The first time I read this was in the early 80s on a bus, back and forth from my summer job. A Catholic school girl, I new little about Hasidism and less about art but became fascinated with the religion and Chaim Potok’s writing. Forty years later and I can’t put the book down; a moving, emotional coming of age story.

crysrowe's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

4.5

kisa_044's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense slow-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

3.5

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