My Name is Asher Lev
Ratings14
Average rating4.4
15
Ratings14
Average rating4.4
"Memorable...A book profound in its vision of humanity, of religion, and of art."THE WALL STREET JOURNALHere is the original, deeply moving story of Asher Lev, the religious boy with an overwhelming need to draw, to paint, to render the world he knows and the pain he feels, on canvas for everyone to see. A loner, Asher has an extroardinary God-given gift that possesses a spirit all its own. It is this force that must learn to master without shaming his people or relinquishing any part of his deeply felt Judaism. It will not be easy for him, but he knows, too, that even if it is impossible, it must be done...."A novel of finely articulated tragic power...Little short of a work of genius."THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWFrom the Paperback edition.
Featured Series
2 primary booksAsher Lev is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 1972 with contributions by Chaim Potok.
Reviews with the most likes.
Why have I never read any Chaim Potok until now? This is a simple book of one boy's coming of age, trying to find his place like any other kid. And yet. It is a conversation about obligation: of the artist to his work and to his loved ones, of parents to child and vice versa, of religion to its adherents and vice versa, of humans to God and to our ancestors and to our dreams and to ourselves. And it is beautiful.
Caveat: the main character is a Hasidic Jew and if you aren't Jewish, in the beginning the prayers may be confusing. Hang in there; I think it's still worth reading anyway.
This book is buzzing around in my head. Balance between light and dark. What does it mean to leave a great work incomplete? The journeying of the mythic ancestor. Art. Master of the Universe. Dread. Good work.
It feels too fresh for me to write any clear thoughts about why it was so powerful.
All I can say is to read this book for yourself. But be careful if you do; it is not a book to be read lightly.
