“Extraordinary . . . No one but Chaim Potok could have written this strangely sweet, compelling, and deeply felt novel.”—The Cleveland Plain Dealer In his powerful My Name is Asher Lev, Chaim Potok gave the world an unforgettable character and a timeless story that The New York Times Book Review hailed as “little short of a work of genius.” The Chicago Sun-Times declared it “a story that had to … Chicago Sun-Times declared it “a story that had to be told.” Now, Chaim Potok’s beloved character returns to learn, to teach, to dream, in The Gift of Asher Lev.
Twenty years have passed. Asher Lev is a world-renowned artist living with his young family in France. Still, he is unsure of his artistic direction. Success has not brought ease to his heart. Then Asher’s beloved uncle dies suddenly, and Asher and his family rush back to Brooklyn—and into a world that Asher thought he had left behind forever.
It is a journey of confrontation and discovery as Asher purges his past in search of new inspiration for his art and begins to understand the true meaning of sacrifice and the painful joy in sharing the most precious gift of all.
Praise for The Gift of Asher Lev
“A masterwork.”—Newsday
“Rivals anything Chaim Potok has ever produced. It is a book written with passion about passion. You’re not likely to read anything better this year.”—The Detroit News
“Fascinating.”—The Washington Post Book World
“Very moving.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer
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This book is beautiful. It shows how an exceptionally artistic mind can cross over the fences we put around our faiths and blend beauty and truth.
Great sequel to MY NAME IS ASHER LEV
If you are not interested in Hassidim or fine art don’t bother.
This book floored me. I don’t remember being touched by book this much since Ordinary Grace. It describes the confluence of the thinly disguised Lubavitch clan in Brooklyn with the art world in the body of Asher Lev. He’s an accomplished artist living in France off of a bad …
Chaim Potok in “The Gift of Asher Lev” gives the world an intimate look into the mesmerizing world of Hasidic Jewry, portraying them as human, struggling, delightful, living truly in a world unlike most where they are focused on honoring God in all they do and say. Potok, as well, has accomplished excellent research into the world of art …
A satisfying summation of the vision of the artist, Asher Lev. We knew that his gift was not his art, but, like his mother, the sacrifice of his heart. This novel is a gift today, for it reminds us of what we are here to resist and protect.
I’ve read this book several times starting when I was young and I am now old. It has always been enjoyable.
It was a story that dealt with strong emotional conflict.
Asher is a great secular artist that crates conflict with ultra Jewish orthodox parents. He has to make a choice of loss of parents or his passion with art.
The book is extraordinary.
I found myself being drawn into the story and its world. The words and the descriptions were immersive.
Further insight into the Hasidic community with the struggle of family and God’s artistic gifts. This follow up to My Name is Asher Lev is a great read with a great author.
Wish I had read it sooner.
This is one of the best books I have ever read!
love Jewish culture
One of the best books I ever read. Every book of Potok’s is a true gift. Writer’s should study his style to improve their craft. readers should read every book to learn what wonderful writing is.
I found it difficult to plough through this book. The story itself was good, but it dragged on and on.
I thought I would love a book about an artist but I had a hard time getting past the first few chapters. I gave up on it, finally.
This is a classic for me that I have reread many times. The development of an artist with a powerful gift that brings his family and religious torment and confusion is unique and moving. I appreciate Potok’s simple style and careful attention to the details of the characters he creates and the world they live in. Powerful and beautiful!!
An unexpected ending to a sequel to one of the best novels I’ve read, My Name is Asher Lev. Full of exquisitely written emotions, Jewish history, and nuances of painting.
The story is an honest look into the emotions of both victims of the holocaust and of people who have been given a superior talent to create art in many different forms. The characters are true to form and passionate about their interests and talents as well as family. It is a sensitive reminder that many times it is necessary to sacrifice our …
Chaim Potok spins a tale of family and community revealing much of the fundamentalism of the Hasidim that on the surface contrasts sharply with the fundamental struggles of the artist, but Potok also dives deeper showing us the similarities between the two.
Potok is superb. This continuation is an unexpected twist to the story begun in My Name is Asher Lev.