Kristen's review
My Name Is Asher Lev
by Chaim Potok
Kristen's review
My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
Kristen's review
rating:
recommended for: Anyone who needs to express themselves, even if it is frowned upon
I read this book for the first time in my freshman year of high school. I have always had an artistic "bent," and the story is about a young Jewish boy (who grows through the story into a man) who, no matter how hard his family tries, cannot stop the artist from flowing out of him. His Jewish family is ultra orthodox, and outside of Judaica folk art, are not pleased with his extraordinary talent.
However, because he cannot seem to stop, and when they force him he becomes ill, they allow him to be apprenticed to a non-believing Jewish artist who encourages his growth. Asher Lev's work takes on a life of its own as he paints every ounce of emotion onto canvas. The story climaxes as Asher is having a gallery opening, and the artist he is apprenticed to puts in Asher's greatest paintings against his knowledge - paintings that will alienate him from his family and faith for the rest of his life.
Chaim Potok is one of my favorite authors. From the time I read "The...more
However, because he cannot seem to stop, and when they force him he becomes ill, they allow him to be apprenticed to a non-believing Jewish artist who encourages his growth. Asher Lev's work takes on a life of its own as he paints every ounce of emotion onto canvas. The story climaxes as Asher is having a gallery opening, and the artist he is apprenticed to puts in Asher's greatest paintings against his knowledge - paintings that will alienate him from his family and faith for the rest of his life.
Chaim Potok is one of my favorite authors. From the time I read "The...more
