From the celebrated author of The Chosen and My Name Is Asher Lev, a trilogy of related novellas about a woman whose life touches thr...
read full description
reviews
Jan 01, 2012
Vallia
rated it: 
Ilana Davita Dinn is a character, but actually she is a literary device to tie together three completely separate stories so that they can pretend to be one book. She only plays a significant role in the first story.
The first story was pretty good, about Ilana Davita teaching English to a young boy who survived the Holocaust. It shows the complete lack of understanding of American Jews in the immediate Post-war years towards what these survivors went through. Ilana Davita knows he is the on More...
The first story was pretty good, about Ilana Davita teaching English to a young boy who survived the Holocaust. It shows the complete lack of understanding of American Jews in the immediate Post-war years towards what these survivors went through. Ilana Davita knows he is the on More...
Jul 29, 2011
Shannon
rated it: 
I wouldn't call it Potok's best. One thing I do enjoy is the continuation of character lines throughout his different novels; Davita is back! I was so charmed by this intuitive, inquisitive child in Davita's Harp (which nodded to a pre-Chosen Reuven Malter!), that it was a treat to see her as a high school grad prepping for her studies at Columbia University.
The Ark Builder is fascinating; it celebrates the tradition of the Covenant, of preserving the story of the past for the young, the future More...
The Ark Builder is fascinating; it celebrates the tradition of the Covenant, of preserving the story of the past for the young, the future More...
Nov 18, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
This consisted of three novellas. Potok is an excellent writer to study if you are interested in literature as an entertaining and powerful means of culture war. Not that I agree with his worldview, but he fights for his faith with his pen in a way that is instructive. He has a lot of similarities to Marilynne Robinson in that regard and I wonder how much he has influenced her directly.
The second story, The War Doctor, was the most interesting. The first story I'd give 3 stars, the sec More...
The second story, The War Doctor, was the most interesting. The first story I'd give 3 stars, the sec More...
Dec 30, 2009
Mark
rated it: 
This apparently was Potok's last book. It really is three novellas or long short stories stitched together. The common theme: recapturing memories, in particular of Jews who were victimized in the Second World War.
The tales are held together by an enigmatic woman, whom we first see as a high school student who is tutoring a teen-age survivor of the concentration camps in English. A talented artist, the young man slowly yields up a story of his small village in Poland and the rabbi wh More...
The tales are held together by an enigmatic woman, whom we first see as a high school student who is tutoring a teen-age survivor of the concentration camps in English. A talented artist, the young man slowly yields up a story of his small village in Poland and the rabbi wh More...
Dec 01, 2010
Dree
rated it:
This is the first Potok book I have ever read, though I have been meaning to read one for...decades?! I found this on my library's popular fiction shelf and went for it.
I enjoyed this book, found it fascinating, and feel I learned quite a lot--especially from the first two stories.
This book was heading to a solid 4-star rating for me. But I found the last story to be just confusing. Why does he see this woman as middle-aged (as she is) through windows, but sees her as younge More...
I enjoyed this book, found it fascinating, and feel I learned quite a lot--especially from the first two stories.
This book was heading to a solid 4-star rating for me. But I found the last story to be just confusing. Why does he see this woman as middle-aged (as she is) through windows, but sees her as younge More...
Nov 25, 2009
Lauren
rated it:
I would probably give the last of the three stories a 3 although it gets stronger at the end. In each, a man (or a boy) tells Davita Dinn their stories. She is 18 in the first, a graduate student in the second, and a middle age writer in the third. She is changed by the stories she hears although it is not directly mentioned. I thought the strongest story was The War Doctor which is a searing autobiographical narrative by a Soviet agent who conducted torture sessions during interrogations.
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 28, 2010
Daniel
rated it: 
Loved this book!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two novellas then made the mistake of reading reviews here disappointed with the thrid.
I enjoyed each of the novellas in its own right but the third most of all. It engaged me the most and I almost read it in one sitting.
To explain, some friends have caused me to become intrigued with Judaica and dredging up neglected memories was one of the overall themes of the book. Add to that the third novella's plot element (not a spoiler) More...
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two novellas then made the mistake of reading reviews here disappointed with the thrid.
I enjoyed each of the novellas in its own right but the third most of all. It engaged me the most and I almost read it in one sitting.
To explain, some friends have caused me to become intrigued with Judaica and dredging up neglected memories was one of the overall themes of the book. Add to that the third novella's plot element (not a spoiler) More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 03, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
Although Davita from 'Davita's Harp' is in this book she is not actually the focus of the book. It comprises three stories told her by three men. Potok waxes more literary in this book than he does in the others that I've read. I am not a fan of literary fiction, so it was less likeable to me for that reason. However for people who love literary fiction, this would be a good choice. It got two stars from me because of personal taste, not from the writing. The writing was exceptional, as is usual
More...
Mar 05, 2011
Beth
rated it:
I thought this was an interesting approach to telling three stories from the Jewish Holocaust. I was especially impacted by the first two stories. The third story was distracting due to the story-tellers obsession with I.D.Chandal, and the story seemed less real somehow. On the whole, I was left thinking that there are probably many untold stories, just waiting for someone to want to listen to them. A good reminder.
Mar 20, 2010
Andi
rated it:
A depressing and sometimes disturbing study of memories from the past and their ability to haunt the future. A collection of three different stories based around Ilana Davita Dinn. Each one probes into aspects of WW I, and WW II from a Jewish perspective.
I would've given this book more stars, except I struggled with the third story. If you are fan of Potok's, don't expect this to be The Chosen.
I would've given this book more stars, except I struggled with the third story. If you are fan of Potok's, don't expect this to be The Chosen.
Mar 25, 2011
Susannah
rated it:
There were things about this book that I liked. The characters were interesting. I enjoy learning about Jewish culture, so that aspect was satisfying. But overall, I was just plain baffled. The end especially left me confused, feeling like I'd missed something huge. And there were some tedious moments when I thought about not finishing. Overall, not a book I'd recommend. Read The Chosen by the same author, much better.
Apr 20, 2011
Thom
rated it:
Eureka.
On the surface, three novellas linked by a framing tale, but taken as a whole, a skillful uniting of vitally important themes: history and the Jews, and warfare and survival, and the individual in society, memory and desire, and recording and transmission of culture and homeland.
On the surface, three novellas linked by a framing tale, but taken as a whole, a skillful uniting of vitally important themes: history and the Jews, and warfare and survival, and the individual in society, memory and desire, and recording and transmission of culture and homeland.
Jan 05, 2011
Sara
rated it:
It's 3 novellas that are tied together by one character. She has a knack for helping people tell their stories - each novella is the story of a Jewish man haunted by war. It was interesting, but it was hard to love because there wasn't any real resolution to the stories, especially the third.
Mar 24, 2011
Sandie
rated it:
Hadn't read Potok in a long time; the book is actually 3 short stories. They were interesting, but one ended too soon, and one, I didn't understand the ending. Sigh. . .I wanted to know more and to ask questions. What was Potok talking about. . .
Oct 18, 2011
Soyaboenne
rated it:
I went in to this book with great expectations; I hadn't read Potok before, but I just thought this book would be good. Sadly, it was not. The first short story was OK, the others were just plain boring. As I was reading this, I found myself always hoping that something good or exciting would come. It didn't.
His descriptions of the environment are sometimes well-written and almost drags you into this book, but they are a rare view in this book. Every 40 pages or so, I did find somet More...
His descriptions of the environment are sometimes well-written and almost drags you into this book, but they are a rare view in this book. Every 40 pages or so, I did find somet More...
Apr 16, 2009
Suze
rated it:
Wasn't a book that *grabs* you, but was interesting....though somewhat depressing. I guess any book that talks about war, killing and how inhumane people can be to one another is bound to be depressing.
I do like Potok's style of writing, though.
I do like Potok's style of writing, though.
Jan 15, 2011
Marlaina
rated it:
I really enojoyed the language of this book, it just kind of glided over you and it was a very relaxing read. I think i enjoyed the second story the most, because it was just full of suspense, while the first and third stories was just kind of mellowing. You really need to have a strong based of the European History to fully understand what is going on the book.
May 19, 2010
Helen
rated it:
A continuation of the character from DAVITA'S HARP. A series of novellas reflecting the maturing of the young woman from the original novel. Well worth the read.
May 27, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
3 short stories, heavy like Wiesel rather than revealing an enduring hope like earlier Potok…you can tell he's getting old (author) when he wrote this
Nov 21, 2011
Elaine
rated it:
Davita at times annoyed me in this book, but maybe that was Potok's intention. I liked the book, but it's not one of my favorites.
Mar 07, 2009
I just read this. It wasn't my favorite. It was 3 short stories but none of them had much resolution.
Nov 26, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
I had to force myself through half of the book...
sluggish and bland between its shining Potok moments.
sluggish and bland between its shining Potok moments.
Jul 09, 2009
Jill
rated it:
Another great story by our friend Ham Po-to-tok. It's an interesting tale about three holocaust victims.
Aug 03, 2008
Stephani
rated it:
The book was separated into three sections. The first was a story of a Jewish boy who was the sole survivor of his village during the Holocaust. The second was a story of a Jewish KGB officer. The third story was of an elderly Jewish professor who was attempting to write his memoirs. I found the first section fascinating. The second section was an interesting insight into the KGB. However, this book receives a single star because of the third section. Within a few pages it became so suggestive t
More...
Nov 22, 2011
Julienne
rated it:
Startling, imperfect, but occasionally razor sharp. Potok at his most nuanced and mysterious.
Mar 29, 2011
Mike
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Mar 05, 2011
Cyndi
rated it:
Loved parts of the book but other parts not so much. Still, a worthwhile read by a favorite author.
Oct 08, 2010
Jill
rated it:
I didn't enjoy this as much as his other books, however it was a quick read.
Oct 22, 2007
Antonie
rated it:
I'm going to sound pretentious here, but it's deceptively easy to read. It's broken into three stories, all involving the same character in one way or another, but all revolving around men who are coming to the end of some huge moment of their lives, coming to terms with the things they saw or did. You fly through the stories, and it's only after you're done that you realize how complex they are. It's one of those books I would probably read again immediately after finishing, just to make sur
More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
