The Gift of Asher Lev - by Chaim Potok (Paperback)

About the Book

In the continuation of one of Potok's best-known books, we find Lev called back to Brooklyn from France--and once again forced to make a choice between the sacred and the worldly. Lev comes to realize that his decision will affect not only the two worlds he inhabits, but also the sanctitiy of his family and, most importantly, the future of his young son.

Book Synopsis

"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 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

Review Quotes

"Extraordinary . . . No one but Chaim Potok could have written this strangely sweet, compelling, and deeply felt novel."--The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"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

About the Author

Chaim Potok was born in New York City in 1929. He graduated from Yeshiva University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, was ordained as a rabbi, and earned his PhD in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. He also served as editor of the Jewish Publication Society of America. Potok's first novel, The Chosen, published in 1967, received the Edward Lewis Wallant Memorial Book Award and was nominated for the National Book Award. He is author of eight novels, including In the Beginning and My Name Is Asher Lev, and Wanderings, a history of the Jews. He died in 2002.