Rating: 
Summary: Fresh, Honest, and Symbolic...
Review: A novel so fresh, honest and symbolic as to reach below our cultural appearance to pierce the depths of the human spirit must be labeled as striking. When indulging in the journey of two teenage boys as they tread through the complicated web of the Jewish religion, one cannot help but be swept away by a tide of impressive literature. Filled with an abundance of figurative language, from a fateful baseball game, set in the heart of a great American pastime, to the last religious debate, The Chosen puts to light the finest inner struggle; the bond and duty of a son to his father, and perhaps more importantly, to himself. Danny Saunders becomes, through the course of the novel, a most prominent example of a mind begging to be set free. And as his once archrival (Reuven Malter) descends from the realm of a more liberal Jewish sect, Danny opens his eyes to the world outside of his religion. Danny discovers the courage to explore the many facets of knowledge separate from Talmud.
Chaim Potok slips in so many hidden emblems behind Billy's unseeing eyes and pressed between the pages of Danny's psychology textbooks, that even the most efficient hunter cannot help but miss a few of his carefully aimed shots. By indulging in this novel, the inner recesses of the human race merge into a single, striving being, yearning for our own place in the trite society of the 21st century. With the comprehension of this simple yet complicated tale, comes the ability to see beyond the physical world into the depths underneath. The book eloquently presents the true struggle of the human spirit through such characters as Reb Saunders, the father who lives through his remarkable son, and Danny Saunders, as he searches for his own path, separate from his father's. The Chosen enriches each individual's own quest for destiny. Just as the day the first ink spread the title on a cover, today's world could learn a great deal from the trials and triumphs of Danny Saunders, Reuven Malter, and each of their lives.
Rating:
Summary: A powerfully moving work
Review: I read Potok's Chosen in Summer 2003, following my graduation from high school. This wonderful book is a tale of friendship, religious conflict, fatherly and brotherly love, tolerance, education, war, and finding one's calling in life. I recommend it to all literate persons.
Rating: 
Summary: [in comic-book-store-guy-from-the-Simpsons tone]
Review: worst book EVER.The repetitive inanery of Potok's prose made me want to scoop my eyes out with a dull melon-baller.
sample dialogue: Davey: What do you think?
Reuven: They're a snooty bunch.
D:What do you think about their playing?
R: They're lousy.
D: They're murderers.
[later]
D: Well?
R: Well what?
D: I told you they could hit.
R: So you told me. So what?
D: I wasn't bragging or anything. I just wanted to know what you thought.
R; They can hit.
D: They're murderers. and so on, for 50 pages. Unfortunately all the reviewers with insights into the shocking awfulness of this book seem to be 16 and illiterate, which destroys my credibility. Thanks guys.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best works of fiction I have read
Review: The Chosen is by far one of the best works of fiction I have read. The book is about two Jewish teenagers and their fathers. Danny is a Chassidic boy who is the son of a great Rabbi. Reuven is modern orthodox and is the son of a teacher at a Yeshiva (Jewish school). This is a moving work of friendship, religion, and the obstacles which many teenagers encounter. As a teenager, I was able to relate to much of the problems and joys that Danny and Reuven went through in the novel. I was unable to put this book down; each page touches the heart and soul. Highly recommended! David ben Ami
Rating:
Summary: Amazing book
Review: I am a 17 year old Junior. This book was assigned as a summer reading project. It was excellent in every regard. I do not think this book would overwhelm or bore younger students, it is a simple, easy, and very enjoyable read. Not only was this book simple, it is inspirational. I feel this book has changed me, changed the way I look at life, change the way I approach life. I am not saying this will happen for everybody, I'm a teenager still looking for meaning in my life. But if it affects me this strongly, I am sure it can have at least the slightest beneficial influence on you.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I'm 14-years-old, and I read this book for school and it was a great. It shared the bonds between father and son. It also explained about religion and other heated topics in a very interesting manner.
Rating: 
Summary: For Mature Or Searching Audiences Only
Review: I picked up the Chosen because it was assigned to my son for his summer reading program, for fifteen-year-olds. The first chapter describing a heated baseball game had potential for capturing a young readers attention. However, the terminology, the in-depth history, the passive conflict, and the lack of action soon gave way to tedium. Yes, it contrasts Jewish sects and compares relationships with fathers, but to get to that point is almost as mind numbing as a marathon Talmud lesson! Lets challenge and inspire, not overwhelm and bore our students.
Rating:
Summary: A good introduction to a wonderful author
Review: I'd just like to add another five-star rating for this book, and to add a few comments to the fine ones already made in the reviews section. I was especially impressed with three aspects of the book:
-- first, Mr Potok gives an excellent discussion of how two young men react to "the news" that the objects of their adolescent aspirations have darker or less defensible sides, too.
-- second, the discussion of the dialogue between the story's narrator and his teacher, Rav Gershenson, is the finest example I've read of the moment when an experienced teacher realizes the brilliance of one of his students may now surpass his own.
-- third, the book gives an excellent insight into why and how a "good person" is far more than just an intellectual giant.
This is a fine book and I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Reflective
Review: The Chosen is an awesome book. The author Chaim Potok writes about these two Jewish boys who became friends from a weird incident. The story takes place in Brooklyn, New York during World War II. Although the two boys, Danny and Reuven are both Jews, they have completely different lives. Danny's family comes from a Hasidic rabbi, while Reuven is a traditional Jew to a Zionist father. But they discover that what they want in life is the opposite of what their fathers are expecting from them. This book explores the struggles that Danny and Reuven go through. Even though they are both Jewish, they have many spiritual clashes with their fathers. The author makes the two characters very realistic. The word of the author makes you think that you are another character in the story. As I was reading the book, I felt like I knew the characters already and could feel what they were going through. It is very interesting to read about how such a good friendship grows. There are many obstacles the two overcome in order to keep their friendship alive. The end of this book is very exciting and keeps you in suspense. I really enjoyed this book because I learned a lot about Jewish culture. Although, at times some parts do become confusing since I am not familiar with Jewish concepts. It put my life someway into a different prospective. It's a funny thing because I receive the same pressure from my family as Danny and Reuven. I also think of my relationship with my friends and how similar it is compared to Danny's and Reuven's relationship. I highly recommend this book to anyone. It does not matter if you are Jewish or not. I found it interesting to learn about a different religion. This is a great book that will make you never want to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Book -Jason
Review: The Chosen is a heart warming tale of two friends, Danny and Robert, who meet after a baseball accident. They both have completely different fathers and Jewish beliefs, but overcome these challenges to become great friends. Though the book is a little under 300 pages, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. I like the plot between the friends and it it will keep you reading. The style is the same as some of his other books such as My Name is Asher Lev. They are both about Jewish families and both take place in Brooklyn, New York. They also take place in the 1940's and post World War 2. It is a book you will surely enjoy and love. It is a keeper!
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