Dice Chaim Potok:

“We have always told stories, since the beginning of our species: stories are the way through which we give meaning to our lives. (…) The tension between the individual alone who aspires to his own realization and the community is precisely the subject of modern stories, differently from what happened in the past. Life is not simple so stories are not simple, life is tragic so stories are tragic, life is full of difficult questions so stories are full of difficult questions.”

The relationship that occurs between the need for self-affirmation and the need – all human – to be accepted by one's own family and the community of which one is a part, is a highly dramatic relationship.

Asher Lev (Jewish, of the Hasidic community in Brooklyn) has a gift and a vocation, painting. Nurturing it, pursuing it, however, means putting at stake everything he has: family, traditions, community of belonging, creed, friends… what to do? Affirm oneself, follow one's aspirations or give up in favor of belonging to one's people, to the traditions? Where is freedom at home?

There is a phrase in the Gospel of Luke (Lk 9,25) that says:

“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world if he loses himself?”

Here, in a certain sense, it is as if Potok turns the question around: does it profit a man to realize himself if he then loses all his world?

What a powerful novel! What a magnificent writer! What a wonderful surprise!

And the thought flies to Marc Chagall…

Books such as this seem to be wasted on the young.

I am extremely glad that I was a lazy middle school student and did not read it at that time. Because if I had, I would have likely missed most of its profound meaning and simply passed over it now.

Although it began slowly for me, initially receiving only 3 stars, it soon picked up momentum and crossed the finish line with a perfect 5 stars. This was not because the story itself was racing along, but rather because my mind was.

You will witness religiously devout parents from the perspective of a child; you will observe the Hasidic Jewish world through the eyes of an artist, and you will view Christianity through the eyes of a Jew. And in the end, you may come to see a little less of the black and white in your own world.

What I enjoyed the most was sitting shotgun with a boy who starts as a prodigy and concludes as an artist. You see his mom and dad, the conflicting worlds of art and his religion, and masterpieces like the David and the Pieta through his eyes. You also hear his thoughts as he processes all this information to create great art himself. It is truly fantastic. You won't need a seatbelt, but you will definitely need your brain. So, enjoy the ride.

I am going to be brutally honest like Jacob Kahn as I engage with this book. Throughout the story, I hardly felt any sympathy for Asher Lev. To me, he seemed like a selfish and cowardly boy, and later, a young man. In the real world, one would expect his parents to handle this situation. His father was right - Asher's gift ultimately ended up destroying people.

If there is one aspect where I have a hint of sympathy for Asher, it is that his parents lacked the determination to prevent him from becoming a slave to his art. They should have forced him to go to Vienna and spared him from the shackles of the art culture that consumed and destroyed him.

I don't think Asher Lew struggled much to reconcile his "gift" with his religious tradition. The only "struggle" I saw was his conscience bothering him, but then he did nothing about it. For instance, when he sold out morally to paint naked women, at first he was hesitant and even physically affected. But as he continued, his conscience became less sensitive. This incident with the naked woman sums up his so-called "struggle" for me.
Another example is when he created the pictures of his mother being crucified. He knew what he was doing and initially thought of destroying the paintings. But as expected, he gave in for the sake of "art" and chose to hurt the person closest to him.
Asher's strict observance of some aspects of his religious tradition, despite clearly betraying its core, didn't move me at all. I would have preferred if he simply stopped pretending to be an orthodox Jew. Asher was definitely an anti-hero, but unlike in The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, I felt no connection or sympathy for this character. At times, his actions and words were just annoying.
As I mentioned earlier, this story seems to be either about neglectful parents or a selfish, cowardly boy. Perhaps it is a bit of both.

This book. Oh, this remarkable book!

I truly don't have the adequate words to express its profound impact on me.

It is a book that I will ALWAYS carry within me, deep in the recesses of my heart and soul.

I completed reading it just yesterday, and ever since then, there is a huge emptiness residing within me.

You see, I was so completely immersed in Asher's world while reading this book.

His story, his emotions, his experiences - they all became a part of me.

And now that I've reached the end, I feel as if I've been abruptly pulled out of that wonderful world.

The characters, the settings, the entire narrative - it all feels so real and yet so far away.

This emptiness is a testament to how powerful and engaging this book truly is.

It has left an indelible mark on me, and I know that I will keep coming back to it in my thoughts time and time again.

This book truly made me shed tears. I read it during a tough time in my life, right after a friend who had recommended it passed away. It really struck a chord within me.

It is a beautiful book that tells the story of a boy who dreams of becoming an artist. Despite facing discouragement from others who view his passion as a waste of time, he persists. It delves into the theme of family expectations, where a child is pressured to conform. It explores the process of coming of age and the realization that being true to oneself may disappoint those who love you. It also touches on the complex mix of loneliness and opportunities that can arise from being different.

If you have ever felt like an outsider, hidden your passion due to family expectations, or experienced rejection, this book is a must-read. The story is relatable to many communities and individuals who do not conform to the mainstream view.

The protagonist, Asher, grows up in a deeply religious community that has a negative attitude towards art. When he shows a genuine interest and talent in art, he is strongly discouraged. His mother, who loves him but is deeply conflicted, and his father, who is proud of his work in the religious community but fails to understand his son, both contribute to the turmoil. However, when Asher's father leaves for Europe, he gets the chance to explore his art further. He visits museums, gains a mentor, and continues to develop his talent.

Years later, when his parents attend his art show, the long-standing issue of acceptance versus conformity comes to a head. Each family member must now face the consequences of their beliefs, and the outcome is profound.

I highly recommend this book. It is a powerful and moving story that will make you think about your own beliefs and values. Check it out and be prepared to be touched.

Asher Lev is an extraordinarily talented child when it comes to painting. Painting is not just a gift for him, however. It is a kind of "mistress" that takes possession of him, transforms him, and transfigures him, demanding his complete attention.

This would already be a problem in itself, but Asher is born and raised in an Orthodox Jewish community. In this community, drawing is regarded unfavorably and is often considered an emanation of Satan. To make matters worse, his parents, including his father, have dedicated their lives to founding communities around the world and saving other Jews from persecution. Asher's father does not accept his son's talent, although he will never actually prevent him from painting.

It is a beautiful psychological novel about art, about vocation, but also about the sense of belonging to one's own community and the suffering of feeling different. The story delves deep into Asher's内心世界, exploring his struggles between his passion for painting and the expectations and beliefs of his community. It shows how difficult it can be to follow one's own path when it goes against the norms and values of the society in which one lives. Through Asher's experiences, we gain a better understanding of the power of art and the importance of following one's heart, even in the face of great adversity.

The one star rating is from my 15-year-old son.

For him, reading this book for PreAP English was absolute torture.

We ended up reading it aloud together because he was so frustrated when attempting to read it alone that I had to offer my help.

Surprisingly, even for me, this book was a difficult read.

It was so BORING! The dialogue was repetitive, and the details were really tedious.

Most of the details were just about the weather, which made it even more uninteresting.

I find it ridiculous that this is required reading for high schoolers.

It seems that this book fails to engage the students and fails to meet their educational needs.

Maybe it's time to consider alternative books that can better capture the students' attention and enhance their learning experience.

“I worked for--what? How could I explain it? For beauty? No. Many of the pictures I painted were not beautiful. For what, then? For a truth I did not know how to put into words. For a truth I could only bring to life by means of color and line and texture and form.”

This is a truly warm and wonderful bildungsroman story. It is about the boy Asher Lev, who is born into a devout Hasidic Jewish family. Asher Lev grows into a gifted, yet controversial, artist. It seems that within the faith, there is no predefined path for someone like Asher, who is so strongly driven by his artistic talent. He has to forge his own path, and this journey is filled with pain.

There are several mythic ideas explored in this story. These include the relationship between art and evil, the concepts of reverence and duty, and what is owed to a family and what is passed down through that family. The story is told so beautifully, with a perfect pacing that keeps the tension building throughout. The characters are so genuine, and his mother, in particular, seems to deserve a story of her own. As a reader, one can deeply feel Asher’s pain. However, the joy of creating a brilliant work of art, which most of us will never experience, is also vividly conveyed.

I love a book that can transport me to a world that I am unfamiliar with and bring it to life so clearly that I feel as if I have lived through it. This book is exactly that, and I am extremely happy to have discovered it.

"Il mio nome è Asher Lev" is a highly successful and powerful novel in its own way.

I say "in its own way" because, indeed, after Shakespeare and the Greek tragedies, it's not that easy to say something truly original. What there was to tell from the perspective of "substance" has already been told. It's not that the range of human "passions" is so extensive. Let's face it, we tend to be a bit monotonous and repetitive.

However, the perspective and the way of narrating can be original, even if the theme is well-known. And here we have an excellent structure, a good build-up, obsessions, a spare but effective language, and an unresolved ending, open to any hypothesis. Generally speaking, it could be defined as a "coming-of-age novel", but in my humble opinion, it would be reductive to define it so.

Asher Lev is a young Orthodox Jew when he first appears on the scene. And he is still a very young man, but perhaps an adult, when he leaves us to get into a taxi that will take him far from home. In between, there is a fascinating story. Fascinating in what sense? Well, if you found "The Shadow of the Wind" engaging, this novel won't appeal to you. If you appreciated "The Da Vinci Code", you will abandon it after twenty pages. If you have raved about "The Pillars of the Earth", you will be bored to death. But if you want to know what generally happens to people who live their lives, then this is the right novel.

Well, what happens is that one ends up hurting those one loves the most. In one way or another. And it doesn't matter if one is an Orthodox Jew or not. It happens to everyone. Simply by living, each person asserts their self. And leaves "victims" along their path. One doesn't do it deliberately, there is no will to do harm. But one does it.

This is a story of many pains, and no one is truly healed. It's the story of a Jewish mother whose painter son represents her crucified on the frame of a window, in eternal等待 for a moment of relief that will never come. It's the story of a father who, lost in the obligations that a presumed God requires of him, can't understand anything at all about the one he himself gave life to. It's the story of a son who doesn't know if he will find "his" path. But he tries.

Surprisingly, given that it was written by a rabbi, this is a story that tells us never to believe blindly. And for this, I am extremely grateful.

It's a story to make one think. Absolutely, in my humble opinion, the best purpose for writing a book.

My name is not Asher Lev. My name is Luisa. And I try, although I have little hope, to understand this该死的 world.

This is a truly intense novel that delves into a plethora of profound subjects.

It explores the clash of conflicting traditions, the age-old debate of religion versus art, the complex journey of self-identity, and the harrowing experience of suffering.

The novel unfolds at a somewhat slow pace, but don't let that deceive you. Beneath its unhurried exterior lies a wealth of depth and emotion that has the power to make you stop and think.

It's a lovely novel, to be sure, although it may not be without its complications and a touch of melancholy.

Yet, it is precisely these elements that give the novel its unique charm and make it a memorable read.

It forces you to confront the intricacies of human nature and the challenges that come with navigating through life's many dilemmas.

In the end, it leaves you with a sense of appreciation for the beauty and complexity that can be found within the pages of a well-written novel.

This is a substantial book, rich in interesting themes delicately addressed.

The main themes include the parent-child relationship, growing up in a religious and oppressive family, and the search for identity that is stifled by the surrounding environment.

It delves into the inner struggle between following a passion and the guilt of hurting loved ones, as well as the power of art and the consequences of an uncontrollable passion, such as exclusion from the community.

Asher Lev, a young boy born in the US to an orthodox Jewish family in the 1950s, has an intense passion for painting that his father deems senseless.

Growing up, Asher is not seen as an individual with his own emotions and desires, but rather is overlooked by his busy parents.

His mother, while not as harsh as his father, still struggles to fully understand and accept his art.

Living in a closed Jewish community, Asher is constantly observed and judged.

Despite his fear of hurting his parents, Asher expresses himself through his paintings, knowing they may not understand.

This book, which is part of a novel-cure-challenge, is recommended for those afraid of confrontations.

While I'm usually not afraid of arguments, I do prefer to avoid uncomfortable situations.

Unlike Asher, I don't seek the approval of others and am content being myself.

However, I understand Asher's need for approval and his reluctance to confront his parents.

In the end, not caring about approval may be the better option, as everyone should find their own identity, with or without confrontations.

I read this book - at least 20 years ago.

Even after all these years, people still mention it and want to have in-depth discussions about it.

This has made me realize that I'll have to go back and read it again to get it fresh in my mind.

I vividly remember it being an outstanding and captivating book.

The story must have left a profound impact on me at that time, and now I'm curious to see if it still holds the same charm and significance.

Perhaps re-reading it will bring back a flood of memories and also give me a new perspective on the characters and the plot.

I'm looking forward to delving into this book once again and rediscovering its magic.

It's amazing how a single book can have such a lasting influence and continue to be relevant and talked about after so many years.