This book is indeed well-written. It delves into many of the same themes as "MY NAME IS ASHER LEV" in a moving and engaging manner.

Although the ultimate resolution stretched my suspension of disbelief to some extent, it remained a compelling story. I truly appreciated getting to see what became of the characters from the earlier book.

However, at numerous points, I had the distinct feeling that Potok didn't pay enough attention to making the book accessible to those who don't have in-depth knowledge of art. There are significant sections of untranslated French, unclear and familiar references to semi-famous artists, and long passages about artistic techniques that lack proper explanation.

I thought the previous book had an overabundance of art-explanation elements, but this one seems to have gone too far in the opposite direction. Additionally, there were quite a few rather bizarre elements such as strange dreams and ghosts, which felt completely out of place when compared to Potok's earlier works.

Consequently, I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as the previous one. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that it was definitely worth reading as a companion to "MY NAME IS ASHER LEV", which was truly excellent.

Overall, while this book has its flaws, it still offers some valuable insights and continues the exploration of the themes introduced in the earlier work.

This is not a happy book. It is, however, a great book. Asher is a painter who, for an extended period, finds himself unable to paint. He requires silence and time away. His very life and art are at stake.

The book and its setting are incredibly rich and meaningful. It delves into the whole of life, encompassing the past and the future. Family, faith, and all aspects of human existence are meticulously examined.

Beneath the surface of everything that I've read by Chiam Potok, there is always a profound sense of caring and compassion, along with a deeper meaning. Potok's works have the ability to touch the reader's heart and make them reflect on the complex tapestry of life. This particular book is no exception, as it takes the reader on a journey through Asher's struggles and ultimately reveals the beauty and significance that can be found even in the most difficult of circumstances.

This book was truly dreadful.

Whereas the first book was exquisite, presenting a world that was both challenging and insightful, the sequel unfortunately took a completely different turn. It was didactic, constantly trying to teach rather than engage. The repetition within the story made it feel tiresome and unoriginal. There was a hollowness to it, as if the heart and soul that had been present in the first installment were missing. It's truly a pity that such a promising start could lead to such a lackluster follow-up. There are simply no words strong enough to fully express my deep disappointment. I had such high hopes for this sequel, but it has failed to live up to any of them.

This book was as exquisitely written and potent as its predecessor, My Name is Asher Lev.

As I ruminated on the books, which were written 18 years apart, I was deeply impressed by the resemblances between Potok and his protagonist Asher Lev.

In this second novel, Asher endeavors to create art that is both authentic to himself and not mere repetitions of his previous work.

Potok accomplishes precisely that, penning a follow-up novel that remains true to his story and writing style while still having a novel and refreshing feel.

The Gift of Asher Lev is a more fast-paced novel, filled with more uplifting themes.

It appears to be a book more about redemption and closure, whereas My Name is Asher Lev has a heavier, darker tone - the themes within it are more about finding one's own path and fractured relationships.

They complement each other magnificently. I cherish them both and find it impossible to compare them, as they are both essential for understanding Lev.

I could write at length about numerous things that touched me or some of the beautiful imagery and parallels in this novel.

However, I'll opt to share just one thing that had an impact on me.

Towards the end of My Name is Asher Lev, Asher states, "I returned the greetings of a girl with short dark-brown hair and brown eyes. Later there were more greetings. Someone once said that there are things about which one ought to write a great deal or nothing at all. About those greetings, I choose to write nothing at all" (p. 330).

I love that in The Gift of Asher Lev, Asher chooses to write "a great deal" about these same things.

The intimacy he shares with this same brown-eyed girl is so profound and beautiful that at times I felt I was intruding on something sacred and private (but never erotic).

I was brought to tears multiple times as I witnessed the depth of their love and care for each other.

This was just one way Potok infused something fresh into this second novel - I couldn't fathom how he could write such a beautiful romance (Asher and Devorah may now be one of my favorite pairs of lovers in literature) when the first book was rather devoid of it.

This sequel to Potok's first novel about Asher Lev, namely "My Name is Asher Lev", once again presents a captivating tale. It delves into the complex juxtaposition of an artist's agnostic negative capabilities and his unwavering adherence to his faith and community. The Rebbe, yet again, emerges as the patron and guiding spirit who comprehends and encompasses Asher's unique gift, even during those moments when Asher himself is completely oblivious to the true nature of his talent.

The novel unfolds at a slower pace compared to its predecessor. However, this deliberate slowness allows for a meticulous exploration of the various stages of Asher's realization. He comes to terms with the sacrifice he is about to make, the gift of his son to the community that he has kept at a distance for two decades. Every seemingly random moment of Asher's errant progress is richly deserved, as it contributes to the overall tapestry of his journey. Potok masterfully brings into sharp focus the inner workings of Asher's mind. At this juncture of his life, it is filled with doubts, uncertainties, apprehensions, and intimations that he may have strayed from his path.

The Rebbe guides Asher slowly but surely. The oracular nature of his blessings becomes increasingly clear as the novel progresses. Midway through, Asher himself is granted a vivid vision of what the Rebbe requires of him for the sake of the Ladover community. However, he spends many more months grappling with the need to both forget and understand this revelation.

Overall, this is a very good book. It offers a wonderful portrayal of how community and family have the power to redeem a man, even a wayward artist like Asher. It showcases the profound impact that these elements can have on an individual's life, leading to personal growth and transformation.

Aside from the leading-up-to-sex scenes, which were rather lame.

I wouldn't call them sex scenes because they were completely lacking in explicit details, thank heavens.

I found this an enjoyable book, even on what was apparently my second reading.

Asher's wife Devorah's Holocaust memories are among the most gripping parts of this book.

Spoiler alert, of sorts: The first time I read this book, I thought that the Ladover chassidic sect might have been based on the Lubavitcher (also known, in more modern times, as Chabad) chassidic sect.

By this time, I've been immersed in the New York Jewish community for long enough that I had no doubt. Potok said, quite explicity, that the "Ladover" and the Satmar chassidic sects were mortal enemies, and that's certainly true of Chabad-Lubavitch and Satmar.

It's too bad that the late Lubavitcher rebbe wasn't as pragmatic as his Ladover stand-in in this book.

Equally childless, he never chose a successor, which was not a wise move, in my opinion.

This lack of a clear succession plan has led to much uncertainty and division within the Chabad-Lubavitch community.

Nonetheless, the teachings and influence of the Lubavitcher rebbe have had a profound impact on many people around the world.

Overall, despite some flaws in the book, it offers a fascinating look into the world of Orthodox Judaism and the complex relationships within it.

In the predecessor of this book, namely "My Name is Asher Lev", Asher's mind is in a state of intense turmoil. There is a fierce struggle within him between adhering to his strict religion and community, or breaking free and painting the world as he sees it, even if it means going against his religious beliefs.

However, in "The Gift of Asher Lev", this particular struggle is only present to a limited extent. The main focus of the struggle now lies with his family. Questions such as where they should live, what will become of the children, what his father will do when the Rebbe passes away, and what his wife truly desires, all weigh heavily on his mind.

A significant portion of the text delves into Asher's own inner world, as it is written in the first person. It contains numerous minute details that, at times, seem superfluous. The plot itself progresses at a rather sluggish pace.

Nonetheless, I do take pleasure in learning about the Ladover Jewish community, which Potok描绘得非常出色.

Unless you have a penchant for first-person musings and/or a keen interest in learning about Hasidic Judaism, this book might not be worth the time and effort it takes to get through.

I truly adored these two books. However, just like numerous others, I felt a sense of disappointment with the hasty ending. One can sort of anticipate what will occur in the end, yet there was clearly so much more that could have been incorporated. For instance, some resolutions regarding Asher's state of mind and his relationships. This book really made me contemplate the concept of compromise for the benefit of all those involved. It also emphasized the need for acceptance, even when one doesn't approve of the actions. It is a remarkable story that highlights the necessity of balance in all aspects of life and the importance of forgiving and loving unconditionally. It makes one reflect on how we often strive for these ideals but sometimes fall short. The characters and their experiences in the book serve as a reminder of the complexity of human nature and the challenges we face in our daily lives.

After revisiting "My Name Is Asher Lev" and finding it a disappointing experience, I'm truly perplexed as to why I decided to read this second volume. It took a great deal of strength of character, or perhaps stubbornness, to finish it. I found myself slogging through the final 30 pages just to get it over with.

The 1990s witnessed the arrival of the Age of the Remake in various forms such as films, TV, and follow-on fiction. This book seems to be a part of that trend. Asher Lev, who is still addressed by his full name by an astonishing number of his friends and family, and even he himself keeps repeating the title of the first book ad nauseam, is experiencing "painter's block" when he returns to New York for his uncle's funeral, accompanied by his wife and family.

As I read, I had the impression that Potok also had some sort of creative block. Despite the book having a lot of traveling in it, the pace is excruciatingly slow, partly due to over-description and unnecessary details like far too many almost step-by-step tours through his house/apartment/hotel room. To make matters worse, the foreshadowing is clumsy, and there are numerous unresolved loose ends - not really unresolved, but the author takes the easy way out. The constant changes of tense and the repetitions of scenes from other books with slight adaptations do not enhance the reading experience either. What was the purpose of all those "hauntings" and hallucinations - the visions of other artists, the footsteps, and the whistling? I expected them to serve some ultimate purpose, but there was nothing. I'm aware of the supposed tradition of bilocation among Hasidic greats, similar to that in the Catholic hagiography of the Middle Ages, but it just doesn't work. And why not refer to Picasso by his name instead of always calling him "The Spaniard"? Towards the end, the main character starts showing all these physical symptoms, and I thought he was going to take to his bed as he often did in the first book. People ask him if he's okay and tell him he looks ill, but even that is not resolved.

The Rebbe is presented this time as a kind of Messiah figure. However, why is he spoken of as "calling in favours" as if he were some sort of Mafia don? Jacob Khan, another character who doesn't have a first name and is always addressed by his full name even by his wife, says at one point that when the Rebbe calls, you obey. Hm.

I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I actually did. I've always admired Potok's work, but this wasn't a pleasant note to end a career on. Maybe that was the point.

An artist indeed requires a broken world to have the pieces that can be shaped into art. Isn't this the truth, Asher Lev? Comfort is truly the death of art. It is in the chaos and the brokenness that an artist finds inspiration and the materials to create something beautiful and unique.

"No one can live in a kaleidoscope, Asher. God is not ambiguous. Our faith in him is not ambiguous. From ambiguity, I would not be able to derive the strength to do all the things I must do." This statement emphasizes the importance of clarity and certainty in one's beliefs. Without a firm foundation, it becomes difficult to find the motivation and the courage to face the challenges that come our way.

"Keep everything always off balance. No boundaries. No repetition. The opposite of what the Rebbe wants. The Rebbe seeks fixed boundaries, perfect balance, eternal repetition. Asher Lev caught between the two." Asher Lev is torn between two different worlds and two different ways of thinking. On one hand, he has the need for creativity and freedom, which requires him to break the rules and push the boundaries. On the other hand, he has the expectations of his community and his religious leaders, who demand strict adherence to tradition and order. This internal conflict makes his journey as an artist even more challenging and complex.

Chaim Potok has always been and remains my favorite author. Currently, this is the fourth book of his that I have read. It is the sequel to his other novel, "My Name is Asher Lev." Essentially, we witness Asher's life twenty years later. It offers a beautiful perspective on his family situation and his art.

Unfortunately, the story progresses at an extremely slow pace. The book is overly burdened with descriptions of the setting and Asher's thoughts. There are numerous side stories that lack any apparent rationale.

For instance, who was the Angel of Death making death threats to Asher on the phone? That entire subplot remains unexplained. There are many such unexplained subplots. Did he ever reconcile with his cousins? Sadly, this book is a bit of a disappointment, especially considering Chaim Potok's ability to write such beautiful and concise narratives. I found this to be a slow-paced story.

However, on a positive note, I have a special place in my heart for Asher and his family. The first book, "My Name is Asher Lev," was so beautiful and profound. In this book, it is quite wonderful to see Asher grown up and a religious family man attempting to balance his faith life with his work life. All in all, I rate this book 3/5 stars.

Dokonale popsané vztahy na světě nebo představy o nich, lépe řečeno. The relationships described in the world or the ideas about them, to put it better.

Vztah k umění, historii, rodičům, víře. K dětem. The relationship to art, history, parents, faith. To children.

Manželství Ašera a Debory je vykresleno tak něžně. The marriage of Asher and Deborah is depicted so tenderly.

Rebeho hádanky, úvahy nad vinou a nevinou, popis Picasových obrazů, horko v Brooklinu. Rebe's riddles, reflections on guilt and innocence, the description of Picasso's paintings, hot in Brooklyn.

Kniha, kterou bych mohla číst stále dokola. A book that I could read forever.

Omylem jsem to přečetla slovensky. By mistake, I read it in Slovak.

This article seems to be a reflection on various relationships and elements described in a particular book. The detailed descriptions of different aspects such as art, history, family, and more make it engaging. The tender portrayal of the marriage between Asher and Deborah adds a touch of warmth. The mention of Rebe's riddles and the reflections on guilt and innocence, along with the description of Picasso's paintings, create a vivid and diverse picture. The fact that the author could read the book forever shows its captivating nature. However, the accidental reading in Slovak might have added an unexpected twist to the experience.