coming of age.moving.
controversial.It seems only fitting that my first review on Fiction Convert be by my favorite author, even though the book is definitely not new. Chaim Potok, as I mentioned in my "conversion" story, became my obsession in middle school. Potok, a Jewish Rabbi, didn't waste time explaining every Yiddish term or Jewish custom, he simply wove them into the story. His audience reached much farther than his own religious circles. Instead, he is considered one of the great American authors of our time, rather than one of the great Jewish authors.
I now recognize that I was drawn to the Jewish author's stories of Hasidic Jews living in urban America because of my own orthodox Mormon (LDS) background. Here was an incredibly gifted author making no apologies for his faith. He seemed to have the gift of pride in his faith, while simultaneously admitting the shortcomings and almost sinister side of its members, if not the orthodoxy itself. Could it be possible for me, then, to write a story with LDS characters and backdrop, that would be considered not just a Mormon story, but a human story? And one that didn't betray the religion I hold so dear and continue to practice faithfully? The rhetorical question seemed always in the back of my mind, and I loved Potok for his boldness and his insight into the human experience.
My Name is Asher Lev was Potok's third novel (after The Chosen and its sequel, The Promise), but it was my introduction to Potok. Like The Chosen, Asher Lev is a coming of age story, following the title character from early childhood through early adulthood and exploring his artistic inclinations in a time when such pursuits were frowned upon by his fellow Hasidic Jews. Lev must choose between his relationship with those he loves and indulging his compulsion to create art, culminating in a climactic and controversial ending. The book's ending is somewhat of a cliffhanger; luckily it's followed by a sequel, The Gift of Asher Lev.
5 of 5 stars
controversial.It seems only fitting that my first review on Fiction Convert be by my favorite author, even though the book is definitely not new. Chaim Potok, as I mentioned in my "conversion" story, became my obsession in middle school. Potok, a Jewish Rabbi, didn't waste time explaining every Yiddish term or Jewish custom, he simply wove them into the story. His audience reached much farther than his own religious circles. Instead, he is considered one of the great American authors of our time, rather than one of the great Jewish authors.
I now recognize that I was drawn to the Jewish author's stories of Hasidic Jews living in urban America because of my own orthodox Mormon (LDS) background. Here was an incredibly gifted author making no apologies for his faith. He seemed to have the gift of pride in his faith, while simultaneously admitting the shortcomings and almost sinister side of its members, if not the orthodoxy itself. Could it be possible for me, then, to write a story with LDS characters and backdrop, that would be considered not just a Mormon story, but a human story? And one that didn't betray the religion I hold so dear and continue to practice faithfully? The rhetorical question seemed always in the back of my mind, and I loved Potok for his boldness and his insight into the human experience.
My Name is Asher Lev was Potok's third novel (after The Chosen and its sequel, The Promise), but it was my introduction to Potok. Like The Chosen, Asher Lev is a coming of age story, following the title character from early childhood through early adulthood and exploring his artistic inclinations in a time when such pursuits were frowned upon by his fellow Hasidic Jews. Lev must choose between his relationship with those he loves and indulging his compulsion to create art, culminating in a climactic and controversial ending. The book's ending is somewhat of a cliffhanger; luckily it's followed by a sequel, The Gift of Asher Lev.
5 of 5 stars
1 comment:
We were probably obsessed with Potok at the same time and didn't even know it. Love him, and great blog!
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