My Name is Asher Lev

I have read a couple of Chaim Potok's books before and loved them ... I noted that Leilani had said that she wanted to read this book so I promptly went out and bought it. I loved, loved, loved it and I was deeply moved by the protagonists struggle between his faith and his art. The two previous books that I have read also have a strong Jewish theme to them ... Asher Lev is no exception to Potok's writing in this regard.

I have been really fascinated by the comparisons between Muslim and Judaism since my exposure to Muslim belief while here in Turkey ... a good time to read this book. Potok writes beautifully ... there is so much in his words. I really felt like he was painting this novel rather than writing it.

The relationship between Asher and his Father I found really difficult at times ... the struggle for Asher to be understood by his Father, the clash of values and belief, but the desire and struggle for Asher to believe ... loss of innocence is always painful to read and to experience. The sacrifice of Asher's Mother I found profound ... I really felt her struggle, being torn between these two men who she loved deeply. I did not find this a quick read ... it is quite a dense book and if you know nothing about Judaism don't mind Potok educates his reader well.

Here is a taste ...
"... I looked at my right hand, the hand with which I painted. There was power in that hand. Power to create and destroy. Power to bring pleasure and pain. Power to amuse and horrify. There was in that hand the demonic and the divine at one and the same time. The demonic and the divine were two aspects of the same force. Creation was demonic and divine. Creativity was demonic and divine. Art was demonic and divine. ... I was demonic and divine. Asher Lev, son of Aryeh and Rivkeh Lev, was the child of the Master of the Universe and the Other Side. Asher Lev paints good pictures and hurts people he loves. Then be a great painter, Asher Lev; that will be the only justification for all the pain you will cause."

I love this piece of writing. I was moved to tears reading this ... now I am lost ... I have nothing to read. I have finished both books and now I have to find something to read, I think I will have to read on Kindle ... I hate reading on Kindle ... my tracking is useless and as I have said I love holding a book and turning the pages ... the story for me is in holding the book, it is all about my relationship with the story and the book. I know I sound a little crazy. I will let you know how I get on ... if it goes really badly I will have to hunt out a book store that sells books in English ... wish me luck.

I am loving reading for pleasure again ... I think I have already said that somewhere.