Rating: 
Summary: A Fair Quality Book
Review: The book had a different subject than from what am used to. I had to read it for 8th grade English and about quarter of the class enjoyed it. It was very into the Jewish religion, however, many people didn't know much about it and found it sometimes difficult to understand. The main subject seemed to be the physical silences between charcters that occurred throughout the novel. Many different silences occur through different events in the plot, as different family views get in the way of a friendship. It was a novel that was a bit difficult to understand, and not the best plot I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: The Mortisia Van Halen Read
Review: Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders meet by fate at a disasterous baseball game in which Reuven's eye is shattered by Danny's ball, and they quickly befriend one another. The two come from opposite sides of Judiasm, Reuven is orthodox and Danny is Hasidic. Danny's father is a respected rabbi in the Hasid community and at first has trouble with his son's choice of friends, but soon Danny, his father, and Reuven are studying Torah together like old friends.
But a great disagreement over Zionism leads Rabbi Saunders to forbid Danny to talk with Reuven again. The somewhat upbeat tone of the book takes a turn for the worst after this event and stays in a quite depressing mood until, almost two years later, Danny and Reuven are allowed to speak once again.
In terms of plot line, The Chosen is one of the better books I've read, dealing with the tribulations of a true friendship. The problem that I found was that I felt that the rather downbeat tone that kept up for a number of chapters led me to yearn for the characters to do something more than do homework and study Talmud, obsessing over the non-communication that happens between Danny and Reuven.
Read this book if you interested in a realistic view of seperate sects of Judiasm with slightly obsessive characters who are well developed. I enjoyed it, it teaches a good lesson and in a mature way, so I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The Chosen
Review: A friendship is difficult to maintain, and good ones are always the hardest to find. For Reuven Malter half of the dilemma is already solved, he has been appointed a friend by that person's father. But before he gets that far, he has to meet him first. Danny Saunders, a Hasidic Jewish boy, living merely four blocks away from Reuven, is introduced as an extremely 'conservative' and radical follower of a Jewish sect. His father, Reb is the leader of a church and Danny himself is destined to become a rabbi for it is in his blood, 'the family dynasty' as he puts it. Your assumption of Danny's strict Hasidic rules and guidelines quickly diminish as Reuven and Danny's friendship grows. The first words ever passed between the two are durin an asphalt baseball game were a little less than friendly. If you want to get on someone's good side, chances are calling their denomination of religion an abomination to the basic fundamentals of the religion they practice probably isn't the best choice of words. Well, anyway, to make an extremely great story a little shorter, Reuven pitches the ball to Danny, Danny hits it sending the ball flying towards Reuven's head, nailing him in the eye and landing him in the hospital for a week. Many things happen to Reuven during his stay at the hospital, he meets two new people that become distinct, but not well developed characters. Danny visits Reuven in the hospital twice, this marks the beginning of a friendship throughout the entire book. Two characters who you would never dream would get along let alone develop a lifelong friendship filled with many conflicts and obstacles along the way. Reuven, the main character of the book is a moderately libral Jew, considering his friend Danny. His father offers him advice on the many problems his friendship with Danny brings up. Danny is a troubled character, on the outside it seems completely opposite. He is tortured day after day by his father's methods of raising him. He wants to become a psychologist, he reads many books about the subject, and even learns German to read one in it's original language. All of this he hides from his father. David Malter is Reuven's father, he is a source of guidance for Reuven, Reuven is forbidden to see Danny when Reb Saunders discovers the fact of his pro Zionist ideals. Reb Saunders is the very stern father of Danny. He pressures him to study the Talmud and become a rabbi like himself. He doesn't speak to his son unless they are studying the Talmud. Chaim Potok creates a novel moving on many levels. His style is somewhat simple in summarizing entire chapters in the last couple of sentences, almost like the very end of a great Wonder Years episode. All of the characters are extremely round and well developed. An extremely good book worth everyone's time.
Rating: 
Summary: my favorite book
Review: I accidentally came across this book. My brother was forced to read this book for school and I decided to read it myself despite the fact that at first I didn't expect much.
Still I started reading and soon was captivated. The warmth and love that dominates this book took me over. potok describes different opinions and different personalities with a lot of affection and acceptance of their differences.
The book tells the story of two Jewish boys that come from different ways of life and their growing friendship despite the differences and all that happens around them in the world.
Upon the first glance it may seem that this book talks about what it is to be a Jew. It does deal with this issue but in seeing only this side of the story, I think, you lose the real beauty and depth of the story. It deals with so many universal issues, issues that are greater than religion .one of the issues is what it is to be a human being in an ever changing world, a world which you cant always understand. Other issues are what it is to be a friend, a son, a father, deals with the growing pains and the realization of truth and that there isn't one global truth.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to fall in love with amazing characters, who wants a book that provokes feeling and thought.
This is one of the rare books that make you thankful for being alive and thankful for being able to read.
Rating:
Summary: The Chosen
Review: The concept of this book is good. The author tends to drag on in the middle of the book, making the separation between friends long and boring. He could have eliminated a good portion and made the book a better read. I could not see why Reuven did not make new friends, but continued to pine for Danny as if he were a girl. That part of the book seemed unrealistic.
Rating:
Summary: Educational
Review: Ok there are alot of reviews here so Ill keep it simple. This book is very important on a educational level alone. Real history is taught here about the war effort and its effect on the jewish community. Also, it gave me much insight to Judaism. Oh yeah, the story . . . very touching coming of age tale, great ending and a must read.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful, Kindhearted Story
Review: I read "The Chosen" in one sitting...something I haven't done in a long, long time. The book is a coming of age story about two Jewish teenagers, Reuven and Danny, who become best friends as a result of an accident during an interscholastic softball game. Danny is raised as a Hasidic Jew, while Reuven is raised as an Orthodox - a less strict sect of Judaism. Danny's father expects him to become a Rabbi but he wants to be a psychologist, and Reuven's father, who is much more liberal than Danny's father, would like him to be a mathematician, and he want to be a rabbi. The book explores the relationship between the two boys and their fathers. It is a story of contrasts, but at the same time is depicts how alike they all really are. While the story is interesting and educational, I found the character's development stifled by Potok's inability to delve into their lives outside of a religious context. The story takes them through high school and college but we never get to know anything more about them then their relationships with their fathers, and the impact of their religious differences. But I guess that's the point of the book. I can't fault Potok for these limitations because he is an excellent writer and tells a great story. However, I wanted a bit more meat to the story. There are many wonderful themes in "The Chosen" and I highly recommend it to anyone in the mood for a clean-cut, "G" rated read.
Rating:
Summary: Not so fast...
Review: I want to say from the outset that this is a good book. Is it worth reading? Sure, why not? However, the acclaim I heard and read about this book from my fellow readers does not meet up to its content, in my opinion. We have a coming of age novel about two teenage boys, Reuven and Danny, whom are best friends. The time period is set during World War II and it spans from their teenage years up until they graduate from college. The highlights: 1. Potok effectively writes about two separate father and son relationships with each pair coming from radically different societies. 2. I learned an enormous amount about the Jewish belief system and code of ethics. 3. The final scene between Danny, his father, and Reuven is utterly brilliant. The disappointments: 1. This novel does not explore issues of growing up beyond the two boys' religious experiences. I found this to be incredibly disappointing because obviously there are several other facets to growing up other than religion - no matter how religious one's family is. This is especially true when the boys leave for college and the novel doesn't branch out in any other direction. 2. I found the character's actions and words to be so predictable. Example: Reuven and his dad will discussing a certain topic and Reuven will ask a question. Rather than have the father offer a unique and/or interesting answer, the father almost always declines because he's tired, or doesn't know enough about it, etc... One might argue that that is a result of having characters that are true to themselves. Nevertheless, I found it to be borderline tedious. 3. At least half the time, I did not find the conversations between the characters to be that enlightening. Potok's writing style makes the reader feel like "You better pay attention because something profound is going to be said!" But on more than one occasion, I recall saying to myself, "Did I miss something? What was so special about that exchange?" Perhaps I am being vague, but that is because I hate giving away plot. "The Chosen" is worth reading, but contrary to popular belief, I don't think it is one of the finest novels of the twentieth century. Not enough ground was covered, but it beats watching reruns of your favorite TV show on a humid summer evening.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Read
Review: Good story. Not great. Teaches how Jewish people felt during WW2 Solid Four
Rating:
Summary: A Classic In Every Sense
Review: This novel is suited for just about anybody regardless of religion or race. Those who are Jewish will relate a little easier but those of other faiths can apply the various relationships that occur in this book to their own lives. The story is primarilly about two boys, Reuven and Danny who meet one day in a softball game. Danny is a Hassidic Jew and Reuven is merely Orthodox. Danny's initial impression is one of disdain towards Reuven as he is unable to relate to people who are not on his religious level at first impression. An accident on the ball field brings them together and eventually they begin a friendship. It grows deeper when both their fathers are drawn into each others worlds. It is indeed very interesting how each father raises his son so diffrently. The backdrops of the hospital, World War II, the surrender of the Nazis, The Zionist Movement, and the eventual statehood of Israel effect the two worlds of Danny and Reuven. There is a period of time when the Zionist movement causes Danny and Reuven to put their friendship on hold. However, in time they return to nurture each other. This is not a quick read by any means as anyone with a soul with be enamored by the details of this fine novel. Practically each page offers descriptive information about critical steps that Danny and Reuven take in their critical years to discovering themselves. Even both fathers learn something in the end. This is a story which will have you thinking and analyzing many many aspects of the lives of Danny and Reuven and I sincerely hope more teenagers and college students read this book and develop a greater acceptance for peers who may be a little different from themselves.
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