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despina19 's review for:
My Name Is Asher Lev
by Chaim Potok
This is one of those books that I think was well done in terms of the questions it asks and the tensions it explores, but I did not love my reading experience. And despite thinking it was well done, as a modern reader, I also read the relationship between young Asher Lev and his parents as more emotionally abusive than just strained.
I was wowed by Potok’s writing. Everything in the book feels true to life, and he builds tension masterfully. The story felt so real, that I wished I could look up Lev’s paintings! That is a credit to his writing.
But, I found Asher’s relationship with both of his parents problematic. He says in the beginning, his mother was 19 when she had him, like a gentle older sister. Throughout the book, Asher’s life and decisions are strongly affected by the instability of either his mother’s emotional breakdowns, fears or neglect. (A quick reexamination of how old he was at each section supports this.)
Also, his father is this disciplinary, distant, looming figure over everything Lev does. Asher’s parents’ work and purpose are to be revered, respected, but Asher’s purpose, his gift, is questioned and diminished. Of course, the period of time this took place was a world in which there was hostility to Jewishness. So is Potok commenting that a purpose to create art is perhaps less important in such a world? Or would Asher’s parents have remained steadfast on their views of his art in any setting due to the confines of their religion?
These heavy questions are what I appreciated, but I am also so glad to distance myself from the tension of the Lev family!!
If the writing wasn’t as good, this tension Asher felt between his parents and community and his art, might have driven me away. Like your father is acting like you’re an animal because you’re an artist?! Please!! But this was well done. Even if I’m not sure I enjoyed it.
I was wowed by Potok’s writing. Everything in the book feels true to life, and he builds tension masterfully. The story felt so real, that I wished I could look up Lev’s paintings! That is a credit to his writing.
But, I found Asher’s relationship with both of his parents problematic. He says in the beginning, his mother was 19 when she had him, like a gentle older sister. Throughout the book, Asher’s life and decisions are strongly affected by the instability of either his mother’s emotional breakdowns, fears or neglect. (A quick reexamination of how old he was at each section supports this.)
Also, his father is this disciplinary, distant, looming figure over everything Lev does. Asher’s parents’ work and purpose are to be revered, respected, but Asher’s purpose, his gift, is questioned and diminished. Of course, the period of time this took place was a world in which there was hostility to Jewishness. So is Potok commenting that a purpose to create art is perhaps less important in such a world? Or would Asher’s parents have remained steadfast on their views of his art in any setting due to the confines of their religion?
These heavy questions are what I appreciated, but I am also so glad to distance myself from the tension of the Lev family!!
If the writing wasn’t as good, this tension Asher felt between his parents and community and his art, might have driven me away. Like your father is acting like you’re an animal because you’re an artist?! Please!! But this was well done. Even if I’m not sure I enjoyed it.