My Name Is Asher Lev

My Name Is Asher Lev

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15  ·  rating details  ·  19,297 ratings  ·  1,619 reviews
Asher Lev is a Ladover Hasid who keeps kosher, prays three times a day and believes in the Ribbono Shel Olom, the Master of the Universe. Asher Lev is an artist who is compulsively driven to render the world he sees and feels even when it leads him to blasphemy. In this stirring and often visionary novel, Chaim Potok traces Asher’s passage between these two identities, the...more
Paperback, 369 pages
Published March 11th 2003 by Anchor (first published 1972)
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Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)
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Chris
Oct 21, 2008 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: i-own
I've heard good things about Potok's "Chosen" and it sounds like that's his book that most people have read. I enjoyed his style here and I suspect I'll pick up The Chosen to read later.

Content/Theme
Before commenting on anything else, I need to comment on the theme and content of the book.

This book is deeply entrenched in the Jewish culture and has many references that are likely very commonplace to those in the Jewish culture, but were very foreign to me. I got the general meaning of most thi...more
Annalisa
Powerful. This is the story of a Hasidic Jew who is a gifted painter, a talent not approved of among orthodox Jews. His life becomes a struggle between his father--who tries to stir him away from the arts to more traditionally accepted hobbies all the while trying to understand him--and his need to draw to express himself. I could sympathize with all the characters in the book: his father for trying to hold onto his religious convictions without dominance but love, his mother for trying to love...more
Lucy
Chaim Potok is a brilliant author who refuses to write a page-turning book. I can't tell you how many bad books I have finished hoping for a Potok-esque finish...moving depth that justifies the slow pace of his books.

This was a book I had a hard time finishing. It was too easily put down and, to be truthful, I didn't even like this book until about 3/4 of the way into it. Now, I emphatically say that it is one of the best books I have ever read.

There is so much to say about this book. Throughou...more
Doug Cannon
Over the years, my Dad and I would occasionally have a conversation about this book. It would invariably go something like this:

My dad asks, "You have never read My Name is Asher Lev?"
and I would reply, "No, I haven't"
"You are so lucky! Now you still have the joy of looking forward to reading the book."
"We've had this conversation before, Dad."
"Then why haven't you read it yet?"
"Because as soon as I read it, you won't say I'm so lucky anymore."

I think the risk was worth it to be "less lucky" an...more
Joyce Lagow
Asher Lev is the son of a devout Ladover Hasidic family. His father, an important aide to the Rebbe, the spiritual leader of a world-wide community of Hasidic Jews, continues in the family tradition of serving the Ladover Rebbe through traveling--meeting with other Ladover community leaders, delivering personal messages, helping to found new Ladover yeshivas in war-torn Europe, and especially bringing Ladover Jews out of the Soviet Union and into the US. Born after WWII, Asher is expected to fol...more
Jenny
Nov 30, 2008 Jenny rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: art
A tragically gripping, page turning work of total genius. I hate to even review it because it was that good and maybe just five stars would be better than me blubbering about it... I was completely engrossed and almost read 3/4ths of it one night, but stopped abruptly to have the novel follow me around the house and in my bag for another week because I didn't want to be through with it. I came back to it and finished it in one sitting. Some books change your life, some books are your life. Diffe...more
Brent
This is a book I picked up in Marlborough, NH, at a little used bookstore, also while on my New England vacation. I'd heard many people say how much they loved this book, so when I found it waiting for me on a step stool, I figured I'd take it with me.
I guess it was a coincidence that "Any Bitter Thing" had so many Catholic themes while "My Name is Asher Lev" portrays the life of a Hasidic Jew who loves to paint. So, with that little sidenote, let me tell you what I thought of the book.
I have to...more
Zinta
Every one of us has something holding us back to our past, to our roots. Whatever that might be (family; traditions, some of which have perhaps lost relevence; religious constraints; the pacing of our daily lives; unsupportive mates and colleagues; or a myriad of other possible constraints), it is for each of us a life struggle to free ourselves of whatever keeps us from fully developing our authentic selves.

This is the story told in "My Name is Asher Lev." A Hasidic Jewish boy is born into a f...more
Julie
My book club book. It's the story of Ascher Lev, an observant Jew living in Brooklyn. He’s an artist from his earliest days, a prodigy, but as his talent grows, so does his estrangement with this father and his community.

This book made me feel sad from early on, because I could tell it wasn’t going to end up all rosy. And, as I predicted, Ascher ends up in exile from his family and neighborhood. Granted, it’s to go back to Paris, to further his art studies, and he leaves an acclaimed artist, bu...more
Skylar Burris
My Name is Asher Lev is about, at its heart, "the unspeakable mystery that brings good fathers and sons into the world and lets a mother watch them tear at each other's throats." It depicts that unspeakable mystery in all its painful humanity, and as a consequence the book is moving and disturbing. Asher Lev is a Hasidic Jew who has a gift for painting, a "foolishness" his father cannot understand. Potok could have turned Asher's father into a villain; instead he makes him human and sympathetic....more
Beth
PREFACE: I was believed I was first introduced to Chiam Potok my first year of college. I never had to read the The Promise of The Chosen in high school. However after starting on my Potok journey, I realized that the first works I read of Potok's were The History the Jews. His biographical, geographical, historical account of the Jewish race and through travel through time. I read this book before going to Isreal.

My all time favorite Potok book is My Name is Asher Lev, this book began my journe...more
Jenn
Title: My Name is Asher Lev
Author: Chaim Potok
Genre: fiction
Pages: 384
Rating (out of 5 stars): *****
Description: Asher Lev is a Jewish boy in Brooklyn who has an incredible gift for art. Unfortunately, in his culture, artistic talent is viewed as futile at best and a curse from the "other side" at worst. His father is a very observant and dedicated Jew, and he especially finds Asher's "gift" revolting. Asher then has to struggle between his art and his religion, and he feels very strong pulls fr...more
Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance
Appeal: I cannot find the words
to explain the appeal of this book.
I find it terribly ironic that I
finished it today, on Easter, the
holiest day of the year for me as
a fervent Christian.
Comments: This book is buzzing around in my
head; 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.
Amy
I enjoyed the insight into Jewish expectations and Asher's struggle to reconcile his religious upbringing with his deviant art. The book also renewed my appreciation for fine art; I was glad this book was fresh in my mind when I saw the Isenheim Altarpiece in France.
Pat Loughery
Another serious candidate for favorite read of 2012. Asher Lev was recommended to me by several friends when I was asking about novels that speak to prayer and spirituality, so I read it.

Oh my goodness.

This is one of the great novels. It’s the story of a brilliant young painter born into a Hasidic Jewish family in Brooklyn, and wrestles with questions of family, community, tradition, art and creativity. I loved this character and loved the way the story of his life was told.

I will read more Chai...more
Michelle
This was a re-read that I wanted to revisit after a friend's reaction to the book. I wanted to explore the book again, and try to analyze why I like the book as a whole, despite not liking the ending much. I guess it would be better to say I am not comfortable with the ending.
I could not read this right before Christmas, as I remembered it was a little too emotionally demanding for that. So I read it after Christmas. I still love the book. I don't know for sure whether it's related to my surviv...more
Kristen
Really enjoyed this. Another compelling tale of conflict, balance, relationships, loyalty to self vs. family, etc. Part of a person always wants a happy ending, but then you're actually relieved when that happy ending doesn't come, if that's the way it would have probably really played out.

The idea that great artists live outside the moral world--as demonstrated by Jacob Kahn in the book--didn't work so well for me. Maybe that wasn't really what he was supposed to be portrayed as, but I felt th...more
Brit Hunter
So, which is more important: being true to your traditions and religion and family, or to the talents you hold? It was interesting to watch Asher struggle between his devotion to the two. In the end, it appears he choose his talent for artwork.

Truthfully, I think I would have cheered more if Asher chose his religion and family. Yes, he is a protege, genius child, but does that warrant respect for him turning away from everything else to succeed as an artist? Personally, I'm Christian, but I hav...more
Priscilla
This is about Asher Lev, a devout Jewish boy growing up in Brooklyn in the 1950s. The story starts off when he is four and ends when he is in his mid-20s. From the time he could remember, Asher loves to draw. As he gets older, Asher faces challenges in deciding who he should become. His mother supports his art, but wants him to draw pretty things, despite the very dark world they live in. His father is devout leader in their religious community and sees drawing as a waste of time. Asher's mentor...more
Michele
I know this book gets rave reviews that it probably well deserves, but there are some things that I have a hard time overlooking. First I should say that I really liked The Chosen. For me the most irritating thing is the short, repetative sentences that describe either conversations or actions on Asher's part. I know they were written for a certain purpose, but it is still hard for me to like it or to like Asher. And it's frustrating that he won't communicate well. Is that an artist thing? and t...more
Mariette
Honestly, one of the best books I've ever read. Anyone considering being a writer or artist must read. I understood so much about myself reading this book. I would love to write the story of my childhood, but I always hesitate. One of the reasons was that it would hurt people. It would hurt people and offend family members. Unlike Asher, I could not and cannot hurt the ones I love for the sake of art. That's what makes Asher a true artist. He abandoned everything, his mother, father, traditions,...more
Kelly Maybedog Hawkins
Read in high school. I barely remember anything except that I loved it I need to reread.
Arwen56
“Il mio nome è Asher Lev” è un romanzo riuscitissimo e potente, a suo modo. Dico “a suo modo”, perché, in effetti, dopo Shakespeare e le tragedie greche, non è che sia facilissimo dire qualcosa di originale. Quel che c’era da raccontare dal punto di vista della “sostanza” è stato raccontato, ormai. Non è che la gamma delle “passioni” degli uomini sia poi tanto estesa. Tendiamo ad essere un tantino monotoni e ripetitivi, diciamocelo. Ma originale può essere il punto di vista e il modo di narrare,...more
Kathy Disanto
My name is Asher Lev, the Asher Lev, about whom you have read in newspapers and magazines, about whom you talk so much at your dinner affairs and cocktail parties, the notorious and legendary Lev of The Brooklyn Crucifixion.

This book and its sequel, The Gift of Asher Lev, should be required reading for every creative person, not to mention all those poor, bewildered souls trying live with us. As both a writer and painter himself, Potok more than understands eyes that see in unusual ways as windo...more
Maureen Lang
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Francesca
One of my favorites of the books I have read for school. Here is the facebook note, titled "Musings on My Name is Asher Lev", I wrote while part way through it, as a way to process all that the book was making me think about:

I am part way through the novel I am reading for school, a book called "My Name is Asher Lev". This book is making me think and question, and I work out my thoughts best by writing them down. I thought I would do it here so I can share my musings and questions with you all,...more
Shara Faskowitz
This is a wonderful story told with great perception and feeling. If you aspire to any art, but certainly drawing and painting, you will be fascinated and moved by Potok's tale of creative genius so overpowering that it pulls the protagonist, an innocent Everyman at heart, past the mores and taboos of his ultra Orthodox culture. Every character, even the minor ones, are finely drawn and nuanced, from Asher's father who is often absent travelling for the Rebbe, to his mother who is torn between h...more
Jerry
This is a fascinating and engaging story which brings the reader into and an appreciation for the Hasidic family and its global community.

The novel is written from the perspective of Asher Lev who is the child of very devout Hasidic Jews. His father is a significant global leader of the Hasidic Jewish community. Asher Lev is expected to follow in his parents footsteps. While Asher is immersed within his faith community, he manifests the passion for and the ability to be an artist while attempti...more
Patricia Burroughs
"I love the feel and weight and smell of books."

"Save trees. Read ebooks."

"Philistine!"

"Luddite!"

Finally, in desperation, I shout back at those annoying voices in my head, Can't we all just get along?!?

And we can, because as you will discover once you own an ereader, too-- it's not a battle between ways of reading, it's not an either/or, but a brand new "AND" way to read books. A way to read books that allows you to adjust the font to the most comfortable size, that makes an entire library light...more
Eva
I loved the imagery and the flowing nature of this story. A gal I go to book club with said it was like reading art, which is very appropriate for a book about a painter. I loved the anguish and personal journey of Asher Lev. I ached for his parents, and considered their difficult position as Orthodox Jews, and what it means to have a son painting with Christian images.
I judge a book by how much it makes me think. I thought a lot about religion, a lot about what makes art "real," and if artists...more
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Asher Lev 1 71 Oct 21, 2008 03:22pm  
My Name Is Asher Lev (Paperback)
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My Name Is Asher Lev (Paperback)
My Name Is Asher Lev (Paperback)

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American author and rabbi. Herman Harold Potok was born in the Bronx to Jewish immigrants from Poland.

His parents, Benjamin Max (d. 1958) and Mollie (Friedman) Potok (d. 1985), gave him a Hebrew name, Chaim Tzvi. His Orthodox education taught him Talmud as well as secular studies.

He decided to become a writer as a teenager, after reading Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited.
More about Chaim Potok...
The Chosen The Promise The Gift of Asher Lev Davita's Harp In the Beginning

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