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Summary: A book for any artist
Review: This book is not _The Chosen_, _The Promise_, _Book of Lights_ or any other Potok book. Completely different characters, different feel, different topics. Simply because a majority of the characters are Jewish doesn't mean that they're the same._My Name is Asher Lev_ is my favourite Potok book. It tackles some pretty serious issues, and the imagery evoked in this book is astounding. The descriptions of art, from modern to Renaissance work, is definitely from the tongue of an artist (most of the paintings by Asher described in the book were painted by Potok). But the same artistic tone is used when describing religion, families, sorrow, joy-the book is filled with the eye of the artist. It is one of the best books written about alienation, about finding one's centre, about following your heart even if it is breaking. _My Name is Asher Lev_ is a tremendous piece of literature. It is not for those unwilling to rethink religious "piety". It is not for those who have no desire to think about art and the sacred. It is not for people who do not understand what it -really- means to rebel. I can't even recommend this book to most reading groups-simply because the material is so personal. I've seen huge arguments about this book because of the intense feelings that some people get from the reading. At times, it seems that Potok has read your mind, saw your pain when you were growing up, understands exactly how your family can be at times. It tackles three great hot-button issues: art, religion, and family. And with some people, they are far too pained by other readers who just don't "get it". It's something to think about with a group reading-this book speaks, and it speaks loudly. The book may be intimidating to people unfamiliar with Hasidic culture-the rules, the communities, the spirituality. It is also a long and arduous read, simply because of the images and emotional content described. But it's worth every minute.
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Summary: THE INNER FLAME OF ART
Review: Asher Lev, a Jewish boy in Brooklyn, has painting in his blood. Anything he comes in contact with is transformed into a drawing, an image, a colour: his house, mother, father, friends, streets. Yet, in a culture such as the Hebrew, traditionally hostile to icons, Asher's vocation is destined to create difficulties and arguments, and finally a dramatic rupture. Asher meets a teacher, goes to Europe, to Florence, Rome, Paris... When he returns to New York, he's already a renowned artist. He then decides to tackle a fundamental theme in the history of painting, the Crucifixion, engendering a new conflict with his father and his original cultural environment. In this book, Potok - a true poet of narration - continues to analyze the deep themes of his great novels: the confrontation between modernity and tradition, the relationship between faith and art, the contrast between the individual and the various groups he belongs to, by birth or choice.
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Summary: Potok's best novel
Review: While The Chosen is the more popular book, this book is just a little bit better. It brings up the tension between secular art and religion, spirituality ad culture, Judaism and Christianity, as well as fathers and sons who can't seem to communicate no matter how much they want to know each other. Asher Lev is an artist in a Chasidic community that does not encourage artwork amongst its members. While his father is completely perplexed, the rebbe (leader) has him train with an artist friend who is secular. As he develops as an artist he begins to feel more confident with his perspective no matter how much it bothers people around him. The book ends with him painting The Brooklyn Crucifixion which uses Christian symbolism to characterize the tension between him and his parents. Unlike The Chosen in which both fathers are ultimately understanding (even if they don't seem it), in Asher Lev, the father is perplexed. He wants to love and understand his son but he also spends much of his time yelling in confusion and befuddlement. It's almost like they both need the rebbe to be the understanding part of the father-son relationship. The character of the artist is also a great touch, because there are always people who are for the most part secular or assimilated but respect and admire Chasidic rabbis and rebbes (a particularly famous example is Rabbi Manis Friedman who attracts a diverse range of Jews and gentiles of various religious viewpoints to his lectures and is respected if not admired by all.) This is a much more complex novel than The Chosen and should be read by all fans of The Chosen.
Rating: 
Summary: A solid story...
Review: I gave this book three stars, because it was not as powerful as Potok's The Chosen. Still, in all it is a solid story that any fan of Potok will enjoy. However, If you are new to Potok, I recommend reading The Chosen before reading this novel. This novel depicts the difficulties experienced by a Hasidic boy with a gift for painting. The story slowly develops, but builds to a marvelous crescendo. Potok does a great job of describing the alienation and difficulties of being overtaken by something that goes beyond cultural and familial influence. As in The Chosen, Potok presents us with a boy who is splintered between the spiritual basis of his upbringing and the world at large, which causes great strife between young Asher and his family. Potok, as always, does a great job of making the Hasidic Jewish culture accessible to any reader.
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Summary: Understanding Another World
Review: This book lets you view another world, the strict Jewish world and its effects on the talented artists whom are a part of it.
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Summary: Art is life, life is art
Review: I was not really interested in reading this book when it was assigned in my 10th grade lit class. I had never heard of Chaim Potok, and when I read the blurb on the back I was unimpressed. I was very wrong. After reading all through class and lunch I couldn't put it down. I was up until 4.00 that morning reading right to the end. Potok draws you into an amazing story with flowing language and gifted imagery.
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Summary: "Art teaches nothing but the significance of life."
Review: This story of a young Hasidic boy in Brooklyn in the middle of the 20th century will be recognized by anyone who has had to resist the comforts of their own world in order to create something new. The novel taught me interesting aspects of "Torah Judaism" and had me poring over art books in the middle of the night. The last 50 pages of the book were triumphant. As soon as I finished reading this novel, I wanted to start over at the beginning and read it again, just for the sheer beauty of Potok's writing.
Rating: 
Summary: The most facinating book, if you can get past the beginning
Review: Wow, first of all, this book is unbelievably interesting and thought provoking. But the first 50 pages, atleast, are a little slow. Get through them as fast as you can, you will be glad you did once you read the end. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: My friend woke me up on a Saturday morning to lend me this book and told me that I *had* to read it. I shoved it under my pillow and went back to sleep, not finding it again until almost a week later. When I finally did sit down and look it over, I couldn't believe I had waited so long! I read this book over a period of about three days, neglecting much of my schoolwork in the process. But it was well worth it! Potok is one of my new favorite writers, having read this and The Chosen. My Name is Asher Lev is fascinating, as Potok recreates Asher's neighborhood and does a great job telling the story. I really felt that I knew the characters. After reading this book, I wanted to learn how to paint.
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Brooklyn
Review: One of my favourite books of all time. I read this in my late teens--at a time when I was struggling with my artistic nature and the fundamentalist dogma that engulfed me; that way of thinking/being which I felt was completely contrary to who I was as an individual. This book is for all who struggle with the demands of their family,church,community,god. It gave me a path to freedom, and sanity, and helped me realise I was not alone.
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