Intriso di religione fino al midollo, in modo quasi soffocante e inconcepibile per me, ma giustissimo per il libro in questione.

The plot seems simple on the surface: an Orthodox Jewish boy from Brooklyn who, in a reality traditionally hostile to figurative representation, has been given an immense talent for painting, and for that gift, he is even willing to lose the support of his family.

However, there is much more to the book. It is a book that speaks of genius, pain, and solitude. It talks about the conflict between generations, the attempt to reconcile seemingly irreconcilable worlds, the search for one's own path, and all the suffering that this can bring.

"Then be a great artist, Asher Lev; that will be the only justification for all the pain you will cause."

This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of the story. Asher Lev is faced with a difficult choice between his art and his family's religious beliefs. The book explores the consequences of his decision and the emotional turmoil he experiences along the way.

Overall, this is a thought-provoking and deeply moving book that delves into the complex themes of art, religion, and identity.

I was on a flight and as I reached the final 20 pages of this book, I sobbed uncontrollably.

It was truly one of the most beautiful books I've ever had the pleasure of reading.

The story was so captivating and filled with such raw emotions that it completely tugged at my heartstrings.

Each page seemed to bring a new wave of feelings, and by the time I got to the end, I was overcome with a mix of sadness, joy, and a sense of wonder.

I couldn't help but let the tears flow freely, as if I was a part of the story myself.

This book will stay with me for a long time, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good read that will touch their soul.

I wasn't entirely certain about my perception of this book until I reached approximately three-fourths of the way through it.

That doesn't imply that I faced difficulties in reading it. In fact, it only took me three days to complete, which is quite rapid for me considering I have two young children constantly running around.

However, the narrative flow was rather disjointed (not the sentences themselves, which were short and concise), so otherworldly, and at times, so stream-of-consciousness that I found it challenging to concentrate on the events unfolding.

Then, suddenly, it all made sense - it was an incredibly well-executed attempt at capturing the mindset of an artist. That disconnection from the harsh realities that the rest of us inhabit and the intuitive comprehension of emotions, even if the source of those emotions remains unclear.

The inevitability of Asher's决裂 with his family and traditions was truly arduous. And yet, although he clearly wounded everyone he truly cared about, I could only feel sympathy for him. He grapples with the question of who he is - both a Jew and an artist, two seemingly conflicting identities. He battles to honor his unwavering compulsion to express himself through painting. The emotions that threaten to smother him and his internal turmoil are both believable and heart-wrenching. He was a completely sympathetic character, and I cheered for him even as he upended his entire life.

We're deducting a half-star from this book. Why? Because it truly deserved a brighter ending. At the very least, it deserved an ending that would leave a more positive impression on the readers. But this book, this book, is something else entirely. It is one of those brutal masterpieces that make me realize with great clarity why I will never be able to finish writing a book.

The level of talent and artistry displayed in this work is simply overwhelming. The author has managed to create a world that is both captivating and disturbing, filled with characters that are so real they seem to jump off the page. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly guessing what will happen next.

I do not have this gift. I can only admire from afar and try to learn from the masterful writing techniques used in this book. It serves as a reminder that there are some things in life that are simply beyond our reach, no matter how hard we try.

Could Art and Religion be compatible?

This thought-provoking question is explored in this book which tells the captivating story of a little boy named Asher Lev. Asher, a Hasidic Jew, discovers an extraordinary artistic sense within himself from the tender age of 4. However, this poses a significant challenge for his parents, who are devout believers in their community. In their eyes, art is seen as a vice that he must combat at all costs to prevent him from "falling" into a world that they perceive as unholy.

For Asher, this creates a real heartbreak as he struggles to reconcile his deep passion for art with the expectations and beliefs of his family and community. It is truly exciting and interesting to follow the journey of this child as he grows into an adolescent, facing numerous dilemmas and making difficult choices along the way.

Will Asher be able to find a way to balance his love for art with his religious faith? Or will he be forced to make a painful sacrifice? These are the questions that keep the reader engaged and eager to discover the outcome of Asher's remarkable story.

Reread 03/02/2021:

I first read this book several years ago, and it had a profound impact on me at that time. The story seemed to unfold like a magical tapestry, drawing me in and captivating my imagination.

I thought it was just as powerful on this recent read, but it hit me in a different way. This time around, I just found it so incredibly sad. The division between him and his parents, as well as society, was palpable and heart-wrenching. It made me reflect on the complex relationships that exist within a family and in the world at large.

I think it shows where I am at in this point in my life versus when I first read it. As I have grown and experienced more, my perspective has changed, and I am able to see the deeper themes and emotions within the story.

This book is definitely in my top 5 favorite books. It has truly changed my life, in a way. It has made me more aware of the importance of understanding and acceptance, and has taught me to look beyond the surface and see the true essence of a person or a situation.

A Gorgeous Book

I have read most of Chaim Potok's novels, commencing with The Chosen when I was in high school. They were among the very first "grown up" contemporary novels that I delved into. It was truly a delight to read this one again, approximately two decades later. This time around, the character of Asher's father held a particular allure for me. As a parent myself, I was deeply struck by the realization of how misguided it is for Asher's father to prioritize his people and his grand humanitarian vision over the well-being of his own child.

The author, or at least the protagonist, subscribes to the view that for an artist, self-expression must take precedence over all else and art is an end in itself. However, I believe that art's role in the world is far more complex and nuanced than what the book portrays. Nevertheless, I have an abiding love for this book and eagerly anticipate re-reading more of Potok's remarkable body of work.

Another fascinating exploration of Hasidism and those who break free from it can be found in the memoir _All Who Go Do Not Return_ by Shulem Deen.

My Name is Asher Lev is, at its core, about "the unspeakable mystery that brings good fathers and sons into the world and allows a mother to watch them tear at each other's throats."

It vividly portrays this mystery with all its painful humanity. As a result, the book is both moving and disturbing. Asher Lev, a Hasidic Jew, has a remarkable gift for painting, something his father fails to understand and views as "foolishness."

Potok could have easily made Asher's father into a villain, but instead, he humanizes him and makes him a sympathetic character. Asher ultimately finds himself painting crucifixions because there is no suitable aesthetic mold within his own religious tradition to express the ultimate anguish and torment he feels.

This book delves deep into the meaning of being an artist, the importance of not betraying oneself, and what it means to be part of the Master of the Universe's "suffering world" that we struggle to comprehend. There are numerous rich themes interwoven throughout the book, creating layer upon layer of depth.

Although there are some slow moments and a fair amount of thematic redundancy, which can be both literary and necessary at times but also tedious at others, overall, it is an excellent book. I am truly impressed and look forward to reading The Gift of Asher Lev in the future.

As I shed tears, I deeply felt the inner world of Asher Lev. It served as a powerful reminder that the incarnation implies that our Lord indeed embraces all the ugliness within our world for His beloved. Amidst it all, He is constantly nurturing and safeguarding the weary creative individual who painstakingly honors the horrible truths of human existence. This novel has had an astonishing impact on me. It has been truly formative in the strengthening of my soul. I am left in awe of how it has touched and transformed me. It makes me realize the profound connection between faith, art, and the human experience. It shows that even in the face of great pain and ugliness, there is still hope and the possibility of growth and transformation. The story of Asher Lev has become a part of me, and I will carry its lessons with me always.

I was not at all impressed with this book.

To be honest, the only aspect that really stood out to me was the fact that his unwavering passion for being an artist led to him losing his family.

It is truly a very sad situation.

One can't help but feel a sense of pity for him as he pursued his artistic dreams at the expense of his loved ones.

The story seems to highlight the difficult choices that one may have to make in life when following one's passion.

However, it also makes one wonder if there could have been a better way for him to balance his art and his family.

Perhaps if he had been more understanding or had made more of an effort to include his family in his artistic journey, things might have turned out differently.

Overall, while the book may have had some interesting points, it failed to leave a lasting impression on me.

How do I write a review of this extraordinary book?

This is the question that continuously crossed my mind last night after I finished reading ‘My Name is Asher Lev’. Just 10 days ago, I had never even heard of this book or its author. However, now it has not only become my best read of 2023 but has also firmly entered my all-time favourites list.

As I delved into the story, I felt as if I was not only reading but also experiencing the world through Asher’s eyes. Potok’s prose was truly remarkable, filled with a unique rhythm and poetry that made the entire reading experience even more special and unforgettable.

I found myself repeatedly rewriting this review, only to realize that it was almost impossible to fully convey the depth of my feelings. This has only happened to me a couple of times before, when a book manages to touch my soul in a profound way. That is precisely how I felt while reading about Asher Lev - it was a moment in time when I needed to read undisturbed and fully soak in the magic of Potok’s masterpiece.

I am deeply grateful to both Diane and Wyndy. If it weren’t for their outstanding reviews, I would have never discovered this wonderful book. And when I finally finished it, I once again became aware of how much I have developed and grown as a reader since joining Goodreads. It has had such a positive impact on me on a personal level, and for that, I want to express my sincere thanks to each and every one of my GR friends.

This book truly had a profound impact on me, reaching out on multiple levels and provoking a great deal of thought.

First and foremost, as parents, we often push our children to succeed in various aspects. Some of us desire our kids to shine in academics, while others hope they excel in sports or become leaders with a wide circle of friends and popularity. In this story, we have a prodigy son who, at a tender age, shows extraordinary talent in art, much like Mozart in music. However, due to his parents' religious background and beliefs, he is made to think that his gift is bad and worthless, and he should conform to their narrow religious views and forget about his talent. Fortunately, a loving mother and a wise leader give him just the right amount of space, enabling him to become a master at a young age. It is truly painful to see that the parents are unable to understand the world of art and their son's gift. This seems to convey two important messages: don't be such short-sighted and selfish parents, and make sure to understand your child's talents and needs. Stop trying so hard to mold them into a mini version of yourself. Luckily, Asher's mother is more understanding and loving than his father.

Secondly, the book delves deeply into the whole mission of this particular branch of the Jewish Religion. In today's world, when we hear about the extremists of various religions, there isn't much to like. Extreme Muslims, Jews, Mormons, Catholics, Buddhists, and others share a remarkable similarity in their lack of tolerance for behavior outside of their prescribed narrow boundaries. The book does an excellent job of demonstrating how religious beliefs are forced upon children. Asher is one of the few who manages to resist that pressure from a very young age.

Moreover, throughout the book, the art of art is described with great detail and precision. Anyone with even the slightest interest in the world of art will surely enjoy witnessing the evolution of the child prodigy into a budding successful artist and the influence of his outstanding and likable teacher.

However, I was somewhat disappointed that Asher didn't have any friends except for older mentors. There were no girlfriends or buddies. I don't believe this is the case for most highly talented artists, but perhaps it is partly due to his Jewish religion and his strict way of life.

These are just some of the main topics that came to my mind quickly. The book is filled with numerous metaphors and excellent psychological insights. The relationships Asher has with each of the adults in the book are described very realistically, almost to the point where it seems like it must be autobiographical. It is truly a captivating and thought-provoking read.