Heb eerlijk een traantje weggepinkt. Wat een leed!

This simple sentence expresses a sense of sincere emotion. It seems that the speaker has shed a tear, perhaps due to sadness, loss, or some other form of grief. The use of the word "eerlijk" emphasizes the authenticity of the emotion.

The phrase "een traantje weggepinkt" literally means "shed a little tear." It is a vivid and descriptive way to convey the act of crying. The word "weggepinkt" implies a gentle and perhaps involuntary release of emotion.

"Wat een leed!" is an exclamation that expresses the magnitude of the pain or suffering. It could be a reaction to a personal experience, the loss of a loved one, or witnessing something tragic. The exclamation adds emphasis and highlights the intensity of the emotion felt by the speaker.

Overall, this short text captures a moment of genuine emotion and invites the reader to share in the speaker's experience of grief and loss.

I usually have a great affection for Chaim Potok. Even though it has been a long time since I read The Chosen and My Name Is Asher Lev, I didn't find this book as enjoyable as those previous ones.

It is much more stark, which I assume is fitting for the stark subject matter. The characters seem to be in a somber, desperate, and semiconscious state for almost the entire book. However, this makes it less than pleasant to read. I believe that a more talented author, or perhaps Potok on a better day, could have made many of the points in this book with greater subtlety and variation, thereby providing a more engaging reading experience for the reader.

The story is told in a stream of consciousness style, with the thought stream sometimes swapping confusingly between each of the main characters. There is no distinct style for each character that would make it immediately obvious to differentiate them. Moreover, they are each on the verge of death and starvation for the vast majority of the story.

One of the themes of the story is the way in which hardship erodes our charity and goodwill, as well as the dangers of holding our love in our hearts without expressing it to the objects of that love. These are good and worthwhile points to make and illustrate, but I just feel that they are handled a bit too heavy-handedly in this book.

This book is extremely distinct from his other works.

At the beginning, it took me a certain amount of time to become engaged with it. The concise writing style and the unfamiliar subject matter made it quite challenging for me to enter the story. Moreover, the description of the devastation of war was so comprehensive that it almost overwhelmed me.

However, as I continued to read, it gradually managed to draw me in. I found myself increasingly immersed in the narrative, and from that moment on, I truly derived great enjoyment from it.

The author's unique way of presenting the story and the powerful emotions it evoked made this book a memorable and worthwhile read.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in exploring different literary styles and themes related to war and its impact.

I am glad that I read this book as it provided me with an eye-opening historical understanding.

However, I was disappointed in a few aspects. For the most part, it is a rather sad read. At times, the pace seemed slow, but then again, it does make one understand some of the hardships that people endured.

I think the most troublesome thing for me about this book is its very occasional references of a sexual nature. The way they were depicted felt unnecessary and distracted from the main points of the story. I wonder why the author felt the need to include them.

I also found the repetitive reference to the smoke quite troubling to my heart. But, once more, it did bring that reality to one's understanding, as troubling as it may be.

This is not a joyful read. Instead, it is one that hopefully evokes empathy for the people who lived through similar experiences.

I've loved every Chaim Potok book I've ever read. However, this particular one was a pleasant surprise.

The author takes us on a journey back to the Korean War, but from the unique perspective of the refugees. It reads like a captivating piece of non-fiction.

One can't help but think that such a real and harrowing story must have actually occurred. As I closed the book, I found myself reflecting on how little I truly know about our world and our past.

I'm not alone in this state of ignorance. We often assume that we are well-versed in all the facts.

But until one has nearly perished in a cave, suffering from starvation and isolation, one can never truly understand the gut-wrenching feeling of having one's life torn apart by war.

We discuss war from various vantage points, but it is from the voice of the most helpless, those who have lost everything, that a profound sense of power and influence emerges.

This book serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding in our world.

Quietly stunningly beautiful.

This phrase immediately evokes a sense of understated elegance and charm. It describes something or someone that possesses a beauty that is not overly flamboyant or in-your-face, but rather a beauty that reveals itself gradually, almost unexpectedly.

Perhaps it is a natural landscape, a secluded garden, or a piece of art that catches your eye and holds your attention with its quiet allure.

Or maybe it is a person, someone who walks into a room and commands attention not with loud gestures or flashy clothing, but with a quiet confidence and grace.

Quietly stunningly beautiful is a quality that is both rare and precious, and it has the power to take our breath away and leave us in awe.

It reminds us that beauty can be found in the simplest of things, and that sometimes, the most profound and lasting impressions are made in the quietest of moments.

Though it veers away from Potok's usual subjects, it is masterfully done.

The author has managed to create a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

It is most definitely my second favorite Chaim Potok book, after "The Chosen".

While "The Chosen" holds a special place in my heart, this book comes a close second.

It explores different themes and ideas, yet still maintains the same level of quality and depth that I have come to expect from Potok's writing.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading well-written and engaging novels.

Life is far too brief to spend on such a melancholy book.

I truly have an affinity for several of this author's other works. However, this particular one fails to capture my interest.

It is written in a poetic style, which one might expect to be enchanting. Nevertheless, it simply doesn't provide the enjoyment that one anticipates from a good read.

The words seem to flow beautifully on the page, but there is something lacking in the overall experience.

Perhaps it's the subject matter or the way the story is told.

Whatever the reason, this book has left me feeling disappointed.

Despite my love for the author's other works, I cannot recommend this one.

It serves as a reminder that even the most talented authors can have off days.

And while I will continue to explore their other offerings, I will approach this particular book with a sense of caution in the future.

Simple, compelling and a bit tragic - these words describe all of Potok's stories. His works result in captivating reading that sticks firmly in my mind and leaves my gut churning for a few days after.

It is truly amazing to read this book with its wrenching Korean wartime plot and remember that this is the same author who created Asher Lev and Davita. The characters he creates are such memorable ones.

Potok has a unique talent for bringing his stories to life and making the reader feel deeply connected to the characters and their experiences. His writing style is engaging and easy to follow, yet it also has a depth and complexity that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

He is one of my all-time favorite writers, and I always look forward to reading his new works. His stories have the power to touch our hearts, make us think, and leave a lasting impression on us.

I highly recommend his books to anyone who loves good literature and wants to be transported to another world through the pages of a book.

Lol, I keep forgetting that Goodreads exists.

It's really quite strange how something that could be so useful just slips my mind at times.

As for this particular thing I'm supposed to rate, I really have no idea what to give it.

I haven't even read it, so it's hard to form an opinion.

Maybe I'll come back to it later when I have more time and inclination to give it a proper go.

For now, I'll just leave it unrated and move on to other things.

Who knows, maybe I'll discover something amazing on Goodreads that will make me remember it more often in the future.

A Moving Account of Refugees During the Korean War

Here is a touching story that follows the journey of 3 refugees. Among them are 2 elderly people, who have seen the hardships of life and now face the chaos and destruction of the Korean War. Their only hope is to flee and find a safe place to live.

Accompanying them is a young boy who joins their ranks in the midst of this turmoil. Together, they brave the unknown, leaving behind the death and destruction that surrounds them. Their path is filled with uncertainty and danger, but they press on, driven by the will to survive.

This account is not the usual topic that Chaim Potok explores. It offers a unique perspective on the human experience during times of war and displacement. Through the eyes of these refugees, we see the courage, resilience, and hope that can emerge even in the most desperate of circumstances.

Nine out of ten.

This statement truly encapsulates the essence of this work. It is poignant, taking the reader on an emotional journey that is both historically accurate and psychologically powerful. The writing is of such a high caliber that it effortlessly draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from start to finish.

However, there is an ironic twist. Despite the overall excellence of the piece, I found myself not really understanding the connection of the clay to the rest of the story. It seems to be an element that, while perhaps significant in some way, eluded my comprehension.

Nevertheless, I would definitely recommend this to anyone with an interest in the Korean War, Eastern religion, global issues, or simply those who appreciate a really good story. It has the power to educate, inspire, and move, making it a must-read for a wide range of audiences.