I first heard about this book from Sarah Clarkson's book Book Girl, which I read oh, five months ago? but which is still
And I am so very glad I did. Guys, I read this whole book in one sitting, with one very short break for dinner. I swam in it, was absorbed by it, and absorbed it. (Would highly recommend reading it in one sitting, tbh.) And when I finally surfaced for air, I knew I had found a new favorite.
So, since as I write this, I'm in the middle of a very thick Dickens novel, I'm "throwing back" to a few weeks ago and reviewing this one--even though I know there's no way I can do it justice.
It is the now-classic story of two fathers and two sons and the pressures on all of them to pursue the religion they share in the way that is best suited to each. And as the boys grow into young men, they discover in the other a lost spiritual brother, and a link to an unexplored world that neither had ever considered before. In effect, they exchange places, and find the peace that neither will ever retreat from again. . . .
Worldbuilding/Writing Style
The book takes place in a suburb of New York, in a diverse but very insular Jewish community. Everything about the Jewish community and faith practices seemed very, very authentic (from what I can tell--I have Jewish heritage, but I'm not Jewish). It might have had to do with how quickly I read it, but the setting, though real world, really sucked me in!
It's written in such a quiet, subtle, but deep way, that I can't describe to my satisfaction. Suffice it to say: it's gorgeous.
Plot
I don't...know what to say about the plot. It's so very ordinary days, but at the same time, there's so much extraordinary about it. And I don't know how to explain it. There's so much theme and deep meaning bound up in so little action. Which is such a beautiful thing.
Also, I love the parts with Talmud debate. Honestly, I could read about them debating about the Talmud ALL DAY.
Characters
Reuven and Danny are now my adopted nephews and I must love them and feed them chocolate.
Seriously, though, I love them both dearly.
Reuven's beautiful-but-sometimes-irritating naivety about the world, and his loyalty to Danny were so beautiful. And also the way his head is screwed on straight, tbh.
Danny's intellectualism and frantic quest to cram the world into his mind was so...real. And relatable. And his obsession with Freud, and the painful realization that Freud Is Not God, and neither is he right all the time (or even most of the time, in my opinion XD) is just so...real. Man, I love this kid. Plus, the way we see his compassion developing...<3 I just really love how we get to see him through Reuven's eyes.
If you know me at all, you know that I love excellent friendships in books, and this is one of them! I also really, really love how friendship is described by Reuven's dad.
I love Reuven's dad. I know people like that in real life--people who are wise beyond their years and give up much of themselves to do what they know is right, even beyond the "normal dictates" of their position in life. But I haven't seen a lot of them in fiction. And I like it a lot.
I even like Danny's dad. Far more than I ever would have expected at the beginning of the book. Because he's just doing what he can, and...*sobbing* *which conveniently helps me avoid giving spoilers*
Romance
None!
Content
Hospital scenes that are a bit gross at times, a bit of swearing-type-things in Yiddish...but otherwise, I don't think there's any content.
Overall Rating
I am breaking my own rules because this book is amazing, and giving it 4.5 stars!
Reminds me of...
The style reminds me of Gary D. Schmidt for grownups, honestly!
Have you read this one? Is there anything else by Chaim Potok that I should read? Have you read any other great books with Jewish MCs?
I was already interested--because close friendships and deep meaning bound up in little action is my jam, and these characters sound wonderful--but then you mentioned Gary D. Schmidt and now I feel like I need to read this.
ReplyDeleteClose-friendships-deep-meaning-little-action is totally my jam, too! (If you have any recommendations...you know where to find me.) And the GDS vibes just pushed it over the top for me. It was amazing. If you do read it, let me know what you think!!
DeleteAGH The Chosen!! I love this one so much and I'm glad you love it, too!
ReplyDeleteIsn't Reuven's dad fantastic?? (I remember being so worried about him the first time I read the book.)
I've not read anything else by Chaim Potok, but I know there's a sequel to this one. Somebody told me it was really good, and I'm kind of curious, but I'm also....wary. (As one of my friends says, this book is so beautiful and wraps up so well it doesn't seem like it NEEDS a sequel. I don't know what I'm scared of, but I am a trifle scared.)
I'm glancing around the family library in search of a great book with a Jewish MC and coming up pitifully short. :P (Have you read Journey to America, by Sonia Levitin? It's more of a middle grade book, and not one of my absolute favorites, but I /was/ moved by it.) (But then, I guess a lot of books about the Holocaust tend to feature Jewish protagonists.)
Thank you so much for telling me I should read it!! I appreciate it. :)
DeleteHe's the best! (And I was totally worried about him, too.)
Wait, there's a sequel?? Um. That would either be the best thing ever, or the worst thing ever, and yes, I am scared too.
They're pretty rare! I think we do have Chaim Potok's "My Name Is Asher Lev", which my mom really liked, so I think I shall read that at some point. (Ooh, I haven't read it! I'll have to check it out.) (True facts! I have read quite a few of those.)
Need to read this sounds intriguing, plus no romance is nice.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely read it! The no romance is a plus.
DeleteI loved this book! The first time I read it was when it was on my syllabus and I had to teach it to my 7th/8th grade English class and I'm SO glad I had to read and teach this one. It is SUCH a great book. I might have to re-read this one soon.
ReplyDeleteOh my word, that's so cool! It must have been really fun to teach! (That, and also really hard. But mostly really fun, I expect.) I'm definitely planning on rereading it again soon myself!
DeleteThis sounds so good! I need to read it sometime.
ReplyDeleteI would 100% recommend it!
DeleteI love books that completely take you over and then leave you knowing that it's your new favourite book
ReplyDeleteI know, those are the absolute BEST!
DeleteI've heard nothing but good things from this book! I certainly am interested now. It's so great to take a break from reading a long book.
ReplyDeleteI know that I've read books with Jewish MCs, but my mind is blanking. XD I can only think of one of my favorite movies, Fiddler on the Roof (1971).
And it's rare when that happens! I do think you would enjoy this one. :) (It is SO nice to read something shorter on occasion.)
DeleteI have meant to watch Fiddler on the Roof for YEARS, but can you believe I've not gotten around to it yet??
Gary D. Schmidt for grown-ups??? I am SOLD. (actually, I was already sold cuz it got described to me as a book about friendship between two boys with, like, different religious convictions, and I LOVE books like that. but I'm even more sold now.)
ReplyDeleteAnd gosh. I know I've read books about Jewish characters??? But I am totally blanking, lol. Maybe I'm just thinking of Jewish folk-tales??? I really like Jewish folk-tales.
I think if it had been described to me like that, I would have read it sooner. XD (But I hope you read it and love it!)
DeleteSee, this is what happens to me, too! I know I've read books with Jewish MCs that are excellent, but I cannot think of any of them. (Except Spinning Silver. Which is...memorable.)