As pretty much my entire list of books has changed, this had now become my challenge book. The reason being, it is much more classic (canon worthy?). I must admit, however, that I loved loved loved it. It is the story of Danny, a Hassidic Jew, and Reuven, an Orthodox Jew. The novel follows these two boys (and even their two fathers) as they deal with their religious differences. As they first meet, these differences seem to be too much for them to overcome, but as the novel progresses, they find common ground and become good companions. This friendship is given the interesting backdrop of how differently their fathers raise them and this theme become very much the secondary plot of the novel.
Having done a bit of research on this novel, I've gathered that it is pretty commonly used in classrooms. It's over forty years old now but still has such a strong message for kids to grasp. It is a novel about tolerance, about differences, about friendship, about religion. It is a difficult read because it is so packed with details and religious references but if you can stick with it, it to SO worth the time. Potok has a great style, the writing is pretty outstanding. I would teach this novel in an upper level class. I would need motivated students who are willing to put forth the effort to read such a dense novel, but there is no doubt that this book is classroom worthy. It could actually be used at many different levels, I would say even into college classes.
For me, this was an eye opening experience. A lot of critics talk about how it is good for people of every religion because even if you aren't Jewish, the religious concepts are universal. However for me, as I am not religious at all, it had a meaning as well. I was so fascinated by the Jewish religion that it actually kind of shocked me how fast I got through the book. I got a good picture of both the Hassidic and the Orthodox Jewish traditions and even I could see how a friendship between boys of two such influences could be problematic. But what makes this novel truly poignant is getting to see how they work their differences out, how they learn to respect and love each other despite what their fathers have to say about it.
1 comment:
I remember loving this book. Glad it turned out to be a good read for you, too.
yes - about your points about religion - that this book offers some wonderful insights into religion/religious difference, also, I think, the sort of cultural/ritual aspects of the religion, because in some ways it is so much bigger than religion, their lives as Jews. Their whole lives are so influenced and interwoven.
Again, I thought you wrote really well here, thoughtfully, eloquently.
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