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Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I LOVE this book! I thought about it for weeks after I first read it. This is most definitely worth a read. I learned a lot about Jewish culture that I had never known before and about people in general. I must admit that the book started getting a bit boring when they went into depth about certain things, mainly because sometimes the author went on for pages...but other than that, the book was very, very good.
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Summary: a great example of the struggle for zionism in the 1940's
Review: ok, the book may focus on the relationship between two young Jews, but the main theme they they are in conflict by, as their father show, is Israel. A state now, in 1948, on only when the Messiah comes and says so. BEIng Jewish and living in a traditional family that obseveres customs that both boys do, i fully understand the conflict and was fascinated by how well a person who knows nothing about Judiasm can learn so much. I had the honor to meet Chaim potok and he said he wrote it back in 1950 to show his support for zionism and how two people who are the same yet so different can cope together. They are both trying to keep the Promise. Read this and it's sequel. Both are simplely-written but powerful in meaning. DONT WAIT TILL YOU GET IT FOR YOUR READING LIST!
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Summary: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
Review: Ignor all of the other reviews cause this is the truth. What kind of a book is about a friendship. Its so boring he does the same thing every day and its seems to last forever. It seemed to have no problem in the book til the last 25 pages. It really blows!
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Summary: Currently reading this book
Review: I am a student at Chantilly High School. I am currently a rising Senior, reading this book. I think that this book would be interesting if you try to have a picture of the events that are happening in the story. For me, it is hard to understand it, but I can imagine what is going on as I read through. It won't be as interesting if you weren't be able to picture what is going on, so you should try to picture some of the events of the story in your mind as you read it.
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Summary: Beautiful and Moving
Review: I first read this book when I was 15, and reread it four years later, and was as moved by the words and story that Chaim Potok wove. This book gave me a deeper understanding of two very different Jewish traditions, and Potok's words are poignant and elonquent. The most amazing thing about this book is that I felt so much for the characters, Danny and Reuben, who struggle with their self-identities and desires, and how two boys with different traditions were able to find a common meeting ground. Danny's struggle with both his particular beliefs and his thirst for knowledge are touching and frustrating, and means so much in terms of his familial and personal development. Read this book--it's touching and powerful, and I believe that despite its melancholy tone, it is one of the most enlightening books I have ever read; both in terms of religion and human desire.
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Summary: "The Chosen" Is A Miracle For All
Review: I am an African American attorney who read this book as part of collecting readings for a summer trip with Operation Understanding to share with Black and Jewish high school students. Operation Understanding takes 8 Black and 8 Jewish students between their Junior and Senior years of high school on a trip across the South and Northeast, stopping at places of significance to both, in an effort to restore the alliance that existed between the groups especially during the Civil Rights Movement. This was the perfect book to gain a deeper understanding of American Jewry for the trip. The book explores the relationship between two deeply religious boys from profoundly different traditions within that religion who are accidentally -- divinely, really -- brought together. The development of both boys' spirituality starts with lessons from their fathers and deepens with lessons from each other. The Chosen takes place in World War II America. I was already familiar with many of the classic accounts of Holocaust survivors (Anne Frank, Elie Wiesel, and others.) This book richly filled a gap in that understanding by presenting a fully formed first person account, though ficitious, of the wrenching experience of American Jews who helplessly learned of the horror from here. The book also offers thorough background information (which will have to be supplemented by further reading) about Jewish history, both cultural and religious. The author patiently explains terms presumably unfamiliar to the general reader and then trusts the reader to turn back if, during the course of reading the novel, the terms are momentarily forgotten. Those reviewers who said that Potok left the reader unaided were simply not paying close attention. Beyond its fascinating historical and religious perspectives, this book's elegant craftsmanship and universal themes will move anyone, regardless of background. Potok's gift for writing regional American dialogue is similar to that of Twain and Steinbeck. Thematically, especially moving to me was the way in which the fathers' mostly wordless love and support for their sons manifested itself in the friends' often wordless love and support for each other. It is significant in this regard that the fathers never meet in the novel, even as they separately express a conflicted admiration for each other when each speaks to one or both boys. When both boys choose career paths their fathers had not expected, Potok allows the reader to share all four characters' realization that it is fulfilling the expectations of God, the Father that ultimately matters most. I will share an excerpt of this extraordinary book with the young people on our trip. And when we reach New York, my hometown, I'm giving my copy to my Dad.
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Summary: Looking into a different lifestyle and sympathising with it
Review: The Chosen lets readers of any background get a good insiders view the life of religious Jews, their life, their thoughts and feelings. It gives readers the chance to understand that we are all humans, with similar fears, emotions even though we may be of different backgrounds or religions. If there was one author that I was to name to help people understand and sympathise with one another, Chaim Potok would be it. In his books, you will find yourself feeling the emotions, understanding the fears of the characters, and this, hopefully will help us all realize that we are similar as humans, although we may be different in lifestyle or belief. Empathy and sympathy is, after all, what we need alot of.
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Summary: One of the most touching books I have ever read.
Review: After four years of Honors and AP English courses I have had the pleasure of reading many wonderful works by various talented authors. This book, however, is by far one of my favorites. The touching story of these two friends and their heart-wrenching relationships with their fathers brought tears to my eyes. Chaim Potok offers an intimate look into the traditions and everyday lives of two very different Jewish families. Never before have I had such a clear glimpse into these very different worlds. I must be thankful that this wonderful story gave me a greater appreciation for my relationship with my father.
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Summary: Depth?
Review: I was excited to read this book as a highschool requirement because I thought it would be interesting and challenging, but I was severly disappointed. The theme of the book and many ideas intertwined in the plot are unique and interesting, but the author barely goes into any detail. The character development is extremely poor and the following statements support my criticism. Danny, a strict Hasisic Jew is not expected to share his innermost feelings. Yet when he confides in his best friend, Reuven, and tells him how utterly trapped he feels; Reuven replies with silence. The author does not compensate for the lack of dialogue by explaining the importance of Reuven's silence or his feelings. The novel also doesn't clearly show the growing relationship between Reuven and Danny. In every situation, they put their schoolwork before their own wishes. It is understandable that they do this because of the confinements of their culture, but they do not even question it! Another example is when Reuven's father is hospitalized, and Reb Saunders' welcomes him into his home. Is Reuven surprised at such a friendly gesture from what he knows to be a stern man? And when Reb Saunder's is somber and is even seen with tears on his cheeks, what are Danny and Reuven's reactions? Are they upset at the man's obvious depression? None of these answers are expressed through the characters in this novel. Readers, remember the attraction between Dany's sister and Reuven? When Reuven finds that she is betrothed to someone else, what does he feel? Nothing? Of course the society in which he as grown up would not permit him to address a situation like this to his friend, but what about his personal thoghts? The characters have sparsely any debth at all. As one is reading The Chosen, they should ask themself if what happens to the characters is of any importance to them. Can the reader clearly see how the character's are feeling?"
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely enchanting!
Review: Mr. Potok has done a great job; from the moment he starts the book, til the very last word, I felt as if I were actually part of the story. The way he portrays the character makes it so you feel as if you've known that character for your entire life. This book only goes to show that friendship really is forever, despite what happens in life. I truly hope that readers, young and old, will discover this book, and enjoy it as much as I did. Some words however, were in Hebrew or some other foreign language, and were hard to understand. Context clues didn't help my frusteration. I suggest that a glossary should be added, or maybe a Hebrew-English dictionary. Because of the uncomprehendable words, I am forced to only award this book 4 stars.
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