Not technically short stories, this book is composed of three novellas, with each novella accounting for approximately one-third of the volume.

The first two novellas I really enjoyed. They presented engaging plots, well-developed characters, and unique settings that held my attention from start to finish. The authors' writing styles were captivating, and I found myself fully immersed in the stories.

However, the third novella didn't quite have the same impact on me. While it still had some interesting elements, it didn't grip me as strongly as the first two. Maybe the plot wasn't as engaging, or the characters didn't resonate with me as much.

Overall, though, the book is a worthwhile read. The first two novellas more than make up for the slightly less satisfying third one, and I would recommend it to others who enjoy well-written fictional works.

I had a genuine issue with this book, or rather this collection of 3 novellas. I won't go into detail about each one as there are many other reviews that do so quite well. I'll admit that the problem lies partly with me. I'm not a fan of Holocaust stories and I prefer my novels to have a happy, or at least satisfying, ending.

The first story, despite its Holocaust theme, was my favorite. It was enjoyable to catch up with Davita after all these years and witness how she assisted the boy in finding his voice to tell his tragic tale. However, due to its subject matter, a Russian ex-secret police torturer, I simply skimmed the second story. It seemed to be as excellently written as Potok's usual works, but I had nothing but disgust for the protagonist and wanted no part in his story. The third story, which according to the Readers Guide was written a decade before the others, was so perplexing and strange that I read it three times and still couldn't make sense of what was happening. Once again, the protagonist was unlikable, and the plot, if one could even call it that, failed to engage me. The mysterious changing appearance of I.D. Chandal was disconcerting, especially since it was never explained, and I found the sexual aspects both disturbing and unnecessary to the narrative.

Chaim Potok passed away only a year after this book was published, so perhaps that accounts for its dark and despairing focus. All those readers who gave this book 4 and 5 stars clearly saw something in it that I didn't. Yes, it was well-written and had great descriptions, but the subject matter, in my opinion, did not merit such efforts.

If I had known in advance how significantly World War II was going to be a prominent feature in this, I most definitely would not have embarked upon it. The account of the war, although sparse yet detailed, bears a resemblance to that of The Sunflower. However, I have already read an ample number of such kinds of stories.

What really detracted from the plot was the old man's objectification of Davita's body. It added nothing of value and seemed rather out of place.

Thankfully, the only redeeming aspect of these stories is the way in which Davita recognized and shared the power of story. She was able to help the man find his point of zero and commence recounting his story. This act of Davita's brought a glimmer of hope and meaning to what could have otherwise been a rather lackluster and uninteresting narrative.

Overall, while there were some flaws in the story, Davita's actions and the power of story that she unearthed managed to salvage it to a certain extent.

This book was truly interesting.

It presented the relationships of three different men with one woman, all from an educational perspective.

Perhaps I'm not very profound or don't think abstractly enough, but the ending of this book left me extremely confused.

The story itself was good.

It was descriptive and painted a perfect picture of the setting and colors.

It was as if I could vividly imagine the scenes and the emotions of the characters.

However, the conclusion seemed a bit rushed or perhaps too complex for me to fully grasp.

I found myself rereading the last few pages several times, trying to make sense of it all.

Despite the confusion at the end, I still enjoyed the overall journey of the story and the insights it provided into the dynamics of these relationships.

Maybe with further reflection or a second reading, I will be able to understand the ending better.

Nonetheless, this book has definitely piqued my interest and made me think about the various aspects of human connection and education.

I absolutely loved The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev. Those two books had a certain charm and style that really appealed to me.

However, when I picked up this one, I was completely thrown off by the stark differences in style. It was such a departure from what I was used to that it took me some time to adjust.

Moreover, I was left rather confused by Benjamin’s story. There were so many details that seemed to be unnecessary to his overall narrative. I found myself wondering why certain elements were included and how they contributed to the story as a whole.

Despite these initial impressions, I am still willing to give the book a chance and see if it will grow on me as I continue to read. Maybe there are hidden depths and meanings that I have not yet discovered. Only time will tell if this book will be able to win me over like the others did.

Anyone who takes a look at my bookshelf will quickly realize that I haven't delved into many adult-level books in a long while. I absolutely adored (LOVED) Chaim Potok's "The Chosen." It firmly ranks among my top 5 favorite books. However, even that one leans more towards a high school level of complexity.

Now, this particular book I'm referring to is, from a literary perspective, of a higher caliber. The author is truly a master of the written word. I have no clue whatsoever what the ending implies, but the sheer power and impact of each of the three stories within it are sufficient to make it a highly worthwhile read. When I googled "old men at midnight ending meaning," all I received were explanations related to "No Country for Old Men." So, I suppose I'll forever be left wondering why I D Chandel kept putting on weight and seemingly didn't notice Benjamin, yet got angry at him later, while his Trope teacher's ghost haunted the house across the street. What the heck?!?!

I always find myself finishing Potok's books with a longing to be Jewish and to have lived in Brooklyn.

At the end of Old Men at Midnight—at least in the copy I read—the publishers include a short conversation with Daniel Walden. During this conversation, Walden makes an observation about Potok’s style. He says that some critics don’t admire Potok’s so-called simple style. Potok contends that his writing is a result of much rewriting and revision and is deliberate. Potok adds that the style is simplicity for the sake of complexity. Whoever feels that it is a “simple style” has to look into it and find the right way. Of course, the style has become over the years much more complex and much more simple.

This book consists of three interlinked novellas. The common factor is a woman, Davita Dinn, born Ilana Davita Chandal, later to become the author I. D. Chandal. In the central story, she is not an active participant, but her presence is important in the first and final stories. In The Ark Builder, she is a teacher to a seventeen-year-old Auschwitz survivor. In The War Doctor, she is at university. In The Trope Teacher, she is a successful novelist and befriends a famous professor.

All the stories involve Jews and survivors. For example, Noah is the only Jew to survive in his town. Kalman Sharfstein becomes a KGB interrogator but later questions his superiors. Benjamin Walter is a war expert who struggles to write his memoirs. Davida helps him by providing a way in.

Some people didn’t like the third story, but I did. What might be missing is a fourth story showing how Davita changed from the girl in the first two novellas to the character in the third. Each novella works well on its own, but together we look for connections that may not be there. The book could have been reworked as a single novel, but Potok was in his seventies when it was planned.

One problem I had was emotional distancing. The KGB interrogator tells his story dispassionately, and the other characters are also somewhat removed. We never find out what Davida is working on at the end. She is a writer and everything she hears is grist to the mill. If you’ve read a lot about the war, there may not be much new here, but each novella has its moments. I’m not sure if I’ll reread the book, but The Trope Teacher might deserve a second read.

Old Men at Midnight by Chaim Potok is a remarkable collection.

It consists of three interlinked novellas that delve into profound themes.

The book explores trauma, memory, and the search for understanding in the lives of Jewish characters who have been affected by the Holocaust, Stalinist Russia, and other significant historical events.

As a great fan of Davita's Harp, I had high expectations of seeing Davita's character progress further in this work. However, in Old Men at Midnight, she mostly functions as a listener to the stories of the men around her.

Nonetheless, Potok's storytelling prowess is still very much on display. His narratives are rich and deeply thought-provoking, taking the reader on a journey into the personal scars left by historical events.

It is truly a compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to others interested in exploring the human experience through the lens of history and memory.

Noah is truly a remarkable character.

From the moment I was introduced to him in the book, I was completely captivated.

His story unfolded in a way that made me invest all my emotions into him.

I found myself constantly rooting for him, hoping that he would overcome all the obstacles in his path.

His struggles and triumphs were so relatable, and I couldn't help but feel a deep connection to him.

Every page I turned, I was eager to see what would happen to Noah next.

His character development was truly outstanding, and I was left in awe of how well he was written.

I rarely care about a character in a book as much as I did care for Noah.

He will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will never forget the impact he had on me.

All the stars are well-deserved for this amazing character.

Davita's life is a captivating journey that intersects with three very distinct men, forming a trilogy of interconnected short stories.

In the first story, Davita meets a charming and adventurous artist. Their encounter leads to a whirlwind romance filled with passion and exploration. However, as their relationship deepens, they face challenges that test their love and commitment.

The second story introduces Davita to a successful and ambitious businessman. Drawn to his confidence and drive, she finds herself in a different kind of relationship. But as she gets to know him better, she discovers hidden aspects of his personality that make her question her feelings.

In the final story, Davita crosses paths with a kind and gentle teacher. Their connection is based on mutual respect and understanding. As they spend more time together, Davita realizes that this man may be the one she has been looking for all along. But will she be able to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way and find true love?

These three stories explore the different facets of Davita's life and the impact that each man has on her. Through her experiences, she learns valuable lessons about love, loss, and self-discovery.

The last book that he wrote was before he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was truly a remarkable piece of work.

He was an amazing storyteller, capable of captivating his readers with his words and taking them on extraordinary adventures.

The book was published, and unfortunately, he passed away just a year later.

His talent and creativity will always be remembered, and his work will continue to inspire generations of readers to come.

Even in the face of such a difficult diagnosis, he was able to produce a masterpiece that will stand the test of time.

His legacy as a storyteller will live on, and his books will remain a cherished part of literary history.

I don't know what to make of this book.

The stories it contains were interesting, yet the narrative was rather weird.

The dialogue seemed unconvincing, and the writerly way of telling the stories was almost unbelievable.

The symbolism within the book completely escaped me.

I'm not sure what Potok was aiming for or trying to convey.

However, despite all these drawbacks, the stories themselves were indeed interesting, with a historical backdrop that made them worth reading.

Perhaps with a second reading or a more in-depth analysis, I might be able to better understand the author's intentions and appreciate the book's finer points.

For now, I'll simply take away the interesting stories and the historical context that they provided.

It's a book that has left me with mixed feelings, but one that I'm glad I took the time to read.