This story (like all of Chaim Potok's stories) is intensely concerned with what it means to be Jewish. But the writing captures every bit of emotion that goes with those moments. The things that happen here are not extraordinary in themselves: a woman grieves the death of her brother, a boy wishes his father was home more, a young man becomes the apprentice of an (in)famous artist. Asher is ready to stop the rumors and the gossip by telling the story of his life, his struggles with his parents, and the art that dwells in his soul and compels him to paint things that no good Jew should even think of.Ĭhaim Potok is wonderfully adept at writing a book that is full of everyday moments, but conveys volumes. He is determined that people should know the truth. Our protagonist, the Asher Lev of the title, confesses that he is the artist that everyone has been talking about. My Name is Asher Lev is a book that wastes no time getting started.
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