Questions About The Promise (Reuven Malter, #2)

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Hi! Do I have to read "The Chosen" before reading this? Thanks!

Gabrielle I read the Promise as a standalone, for no other reason than I picked it up in my library and it looked interesting. I have not yet read the Chosen so…moreI read the Promise as a standalone, for no other reason than I picked it up in my library and it looked interesting. I have not yet read the Chosen so I don't know if it will give me better insight into this novel once I do read it, but I do not feel like my understanding was impacted by having read the books out of order. (less)

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The fathers in Potok's books are troubling. Daniel's father for a dozen years barely speaks to his son outside of Talmud. Asher Lev's father considers his artist son possessed by an evil side. Potok tries to portray Reuven's father warmly, but due to David's illnesses, scholarship and zionist activities, other than teaching Reuven scientific method and occasional talks, he's absent. What do you think of him?

Pat I agree Reuven's father is absent, many times in both the Chosen and the Promise. Many times when Reuven is discussing a problem he has, his father sa…moreI agree Reuven's father is absent, many times in both the Chosen and the Promise. Many times when Reuven is discussing a problem he has, his father says "we'll have to talk about it later" and then never seems to. I think the only warm father son relationship in any of his books is between Professor Gordon and Reuven - he talks to Reuven, advises him at times, and they seem to have a warm relationship, while the father is sitting at home working on his articles. It's notable that Gershon Loren in The Book of Lights has an absent father figure too.(less)

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