This is the very first Potok book that I have ever had the opportunity to read. In fact, I have been having the intention to read one of his works for...decades, believe it or not! I happened to come across this particular book on my library's popular fiction shelf and decided to give it a go.

To my great surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be truly fascinating and felt that I had learned a significant amount, especially from the first two stories.

Initially, this book was on its way to receiving a solid 4-star rating from me. However, I found the last story to be rather confusing. I couldn't quite understand why the protagonist sees this woman as middle-aged (as she actually is) when looking at her through the windows, but perceives her as younger and healthier when speaking to her directly. What is the significance of the nearby cemetery? And what do his sightings of Mr Zapiski signify? I simply found it all very perplexing and a little too much like a ghost story for my personal taste.

Nevertheless, I do look forward with great anticipation to trying more of Potok's work in the future. I believe there is still much to discover and learn from his literary creations.

As someone who has delved into nearly every piece within Potok's extensive catalogue, this particular book stands as one of the final ones I've come across. And I can assert with both confidence and humility that it is truly distinct from all the others.

Here, the stories are not merely placed side by side but rather build upon each other, with each one taking a step further, delving deeper and darker. It employs magic realism in a manner that emulates history and memory. It presents a meta-narrative about the very act of storytelling itself and how it intertwines with historical fact, simultaneously complicating it in a necessary, beautiful, and haunting way.

Rarely does a work by Potok leave me feeling mystified, yet in this instance, I most certainly am. I eagerly anticipate re-encountering this book not out of a sense of comfort (as I often do with Asher Lev and The Chosen) but rather out of a desire to meet the challenge it presents. This book is a test to work through and, I believe, to reach an understanding of its meaning.

"You want memory and comfort?" Davita asks at one point.

I think that is Potok addressing the reader, inviting us to grapple with the complex themes and ideas presented within the pages of this remarkable work.

I might have given this book a higher rating if it were written as one continuous novel rather than three separate “novelettes”.

For me, the storytelling format in which three unrelated male narrators tell their stories to a female listener who, with the exception of “The Ark Builder”, seems to have little or no connection to the events in the narrators’ stories, was confusing and a little distracting.

From the feminist perspective, the format of the female listener taking a passive role as the admiring “audience” or “spectator” to the daring exploits of her male counterparts seems a bit old-fashioned and misogynistic in this day and age.

That said, each of the three novelettes, taken on its own merits, is a compelling and worthwhile read.

In particular the second section, “The War Doctor”, was so riveting I read it all the way through in one sitting, which is a rare accomplishment for me.

It is clear reading these stories that the author has a very thorough knowledge of Jewish history and the military operations of both the first and second World Wars as played out in the European theater.

I found it commendable that the author, as a rabbi and a trained scholar in Jewish history, did not focus solely on the Jewish experience during one of the darkest periods in human history, but depicted also the anguish and the extreme suffering of the soldiers of all races and nationalities who were forced to participate in the killing and maiming of fellow human beings.

The author is a gifted and accomplished writer who is equally at home describing a battlefield, a military hospital, a university campus, an upscale suburb in New Jersey (or is it upstate New York?), and a crowded post-war Brooklyn neighborhood.

Unlike some authors who find it necessary to ramble on for many paragraphs when describing their settings, author Chaim Potok has the rare ability to choose words that enable him to describe each setting with maximum effect using a minimum of verbiage.

Overall, while the format of the book may have its drawbacks, the individual novelettes and the author's writing skills make it a book that is well worth reading.

I must admit that I did not enjoy this book as much as the previously read works from the same author. However, it would be unfair not to acknowledge the beauty and captivation present in most of the stories.

Each story seems to have been crafted with great care, with the author's words flowing smoothly and painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The characters are well-developed, and their emotions and experiences are relatable, making it easy for the reader to become invested in their lives.

Despite not being as enthralled as I was with the previous books, I still found myself drawn into the world that the author had created. The stories had a certain charm that kept me turning the pages, eager to see what would happen next.

In conclusion, while this book may not have been my favorite from the author, it is still a worthy read. The beautiful writing and captivating stories make it a book that I would recommend to others who enjoy well-written literature.

The three novellas found in "Old Men at Midnight" are not only connected through a single character but, even more significantly, by the themes of memory and the potency of sharing those memories with others.

Each novella represents a story within a story, vividly demonstrating how an individual can lose memories, be tormented by them, and undergo experiences or engage in conversations that resurrect those memories with astonishing clarity.

Memory is a powerful force that shapes our identities and perceptions of the world. In these novellas, we see how memories can fade away, only to resurface unexpectedly, often with a profound impact on the characters.

The act of communicating memories to others also plays a crucial role. It allows for the preservation and sharing of experiences, creating a connection between individuals and bridging the gap between the past and the present.

Overall, "Old Men at Midnight" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex nature of memory and its ability to both haunt and heal.

Memories are precious treasures that we carry with us throughout our lives. They are like snapshots of our experiences, emotions, and relationships.

Some memories are vivid and detailed, while others may be模糊 and hazy. They can bring a smile to our faces or a tear to our eyes.

Memories have the power to transport us back in time, allowing us to relive those special moments. They can also shape our identities and influence the decisions we make.

We should cherish our memories and take the time to reflect on them. They are a part of who we are and a reminder of the journey we have taken.

Whether it's a childhood memory, a romantic moment, or a friendship that has stood the test of time, each memory has its own unique value.

Let us hold onto our memories and continue to create new ones, for they are the building blocks of a rich and fulfilling life.

Absolutely marvellous.

The narrative was beautifully written. It was like a delicate tapestry, woven with words that painted vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

Ilana Davita Dinn (Chanda) was the vehicle by which each man’s story could be heard. She was the conduit through which their emotions, their hopes, and their dreams flowed.

Incredibly poignant but beautiful nonetheless. The story touched on themes of love, loss, and redemption, leaving the reader with a sense of both sadness and hope.

It was a truly remarkable piece of writing that will stay with me for a long time.

I can't wait to read more from this author.

Love Potok's books. Somehow I missed reading this one written in 2001, a year before he died.

It is a remarkable collection that comprises 3 novellas. In this work, three different men relate their life story to Ilana Davita Dinn.

The first novella is about a Jewish teenager who had the harrowing experience of surviving Hitler's death camps. The second novella delves into the life of a Soviet KGB interrogator, revealing the complex and often shadowy world he inhabits.

The third novella focuses on a distinguished professor of military history, who is trying to write his memoirs. Through these three distinct narratives, all three stories personalize the horror of war in a profound and moving way. They offer a unique perspective on the human experience during times of conflict, highlighting the individual struggles, sacrifices, and moments of hope that emerge.

Potok's writing is as powerful as ever in this collection, drawing readers in and making them reflect on the far-reaching consequences of war. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, human nature, and the power of storytelling.

This is truly a challenging one for me to rate.

Most of the book presented difficulties for me, yet there were certain moments and ideas that deeply resonated. By the end, I knew it would be difficult to forget and even more challenging to write about.

Overall, I believe this book is composed of approximately 6 different stories that Potok and his editor forcefully combined to form a single volume. At times, the forced nature is quite evident. I assume they aimed to capitalize on the popularity of Davita's Harp (and that this book is one of his few without a sequel already), as Davita is the one character who appears in each of the three sections of Old Men at Midnight. However, she is basically a non-entity whose sole purpose is to patiently listen to long-winded men talk about their lives (which, as a feminist, deeply annoys me, as did the final protagonist's constant analysis of Davita's looks).

Each of the three sections deals with extremely heavy and dark material, especially if you are Jewish or a descendant of a Holocaust survivor, as I am. The first story touches on how a young person adapts to life in the U.S. after being the sole survivor of the entire Jewish population of his hometown. For much of the book, I wished that Potok had simply delved deeper into this story, focusing on Davita and this survivor character, as it is a compelling and harrowing question to consider. Instead, the story veered off into something less interesting (told in suddenly perfect English by the survivor) about an artist-caretaker of the synagogue in that town.

The second section chronicles the atrocities committed by a Jewish man who ends up in the Russian secret police/KGB for several decades. This is very difficult to read and not something I would have chosen to spend time on had I known it was coming. I imagine the discomfort Jews feel when reading about how we were constantly the hated ones targeted for murder in any decade of 20th-century Europe is similar to what black people feel when reading American history.

The third section's best part, in my opinion, was also its briefest: liberating a Nazi death camp and meeting the Jewish victims and their German tormentors. I can only guess that Potok didn't spend much time on this as it would be so terrible to write about, but again, it is extremely memorable and his treatment of it was powerful in the few pages he dedicated to it. I assume the final pages of the book were a dream by the main character, because if they were magical realism, I didn't understand it and it seemed insulting to Davita.

This is not Potok's best work, but it is still extraordinarily good.

In this book, he reintroduces Ilana Davita from "Davita's Harp" (one of my all-time favorite fictional characters) in three unrelated novellas.

The first, "The Ark Builder", shows her as a teenager who tutors a young survivor of Nazi atrocities, tormented by memories.

The second, "The War Doctor", presents her as a teaching assistant who listens to a KGB defector recount his life as an officer in Stalin's Russia, his complicity in the purge of Jews, and his encounters with a doctor.

The third novella, "The Trope Teacher", finds Ilana as an older, successful writer who meets a professor struggling to write his memoir until she helps him dredge up painful memories.

As with all of Potok's books, the writing is exceptional. His vivid descriptions bring the characters and their experiences to life, making the reader feel as if they are a part of the story.

The themes explored in these novellas, such as the impact of war and trauma, the search for truth and meaning, and the power of human connection, are both timely and timeless.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of Potok's work and anyone interested in thought-provoking and well-written fiction.

I have loved and been deeply affected by each of Chaim Potok's books I have read.

This work is no exception. It is essentially three novellas, threaded together through the lens of Ilanda Davita Chandal, a central character who is a continuation of Davita as written in The Chosen.

She is the catalyst through which three men share their stories and lived experiences of transitioning from post-war Europe to America. It is a clash of subcultures, driven by the deep wounds of war, genocide, displacement, isolation, and rejection.

Each story is so deeply human and highlights the constant reality of untold stories being the only thing that truly separates us from one another.

In the transcription of an interview with Potok, printed at the back of this edition, he states: "Two fundamental things about the novel continue to intrigue me and I think this is our gift to ourselves as far as this form is concerned. One is the handling of character, people.

No other form can handle people in significant depth over long periods of time. No other form can move back and forth, in and out, nothing can move the way a novel can in terms of the dimension of time.

People and time are what I think the novel is really all about and I think they are limitless."

Potok's words truly capture the essence of his work. His ability to bring characters to life and explore their inner worlds over time is what makes his novels so engaging and thought-provoking.

The stories in this collection are no different. They offer a glimpse into the lives of individuals who have endured great hardships and yet managed to find hope and meaning in their new lives in America.

Through their stories, we see the power of human connection and the importance of sharing our experiences with others. It is a reminder that despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family.

Overall, this is a remarkable work that showcases Potok's talent as a storyteller and his deep understanding of the human condition.

I've read several of Potok's books.

This one was possibly the least affecting among them, yet it still managed to hold my attention throughout the entire reading process.

I think I would have preferred it if there was just one story instead of three.

Potok is a remarkable writer. His prose is beautiful, and he has a talent for expressing complex emotions and ideas with great simplicity and elegance. He doesn't waste words, every sentence is carefully crafted and contributes to the overall atmosphere and tone of the book.

One of the things that I like most about Potok's writing is his ability to see the light in the darkest of situations. He has a deep understanding of human nature and is able to show the resilience and hope that exists within us even in the face of great adversity.

His dialogue is also particularly strong. The characters in his books speak in a natural and believable way, and their conversations add depth and authenticity to the story. Overall, while this may not have been my favorite Potok book, it was still a worthwhile read and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.