Plot intriguing at times, but ultimately disappointing as Asher Lev chooses a location over the people he loves. ( )

(8.5) Despite it being three years since I read [My Name is Asher Lev], I soon recognised the characters in the story and his childhood years, with they aid of references throughout the story, came back to me. Although Asher is now a world acclaimed artist, his return to Brooklyn after a twenty year absence, plummets him straight back into the emotional turbulence of the past. He feels unable to paint as once again he is condemned and criticised by the local Jewish community. His parents, however, put pressure on the family to remain. What decision is he to make for his own happiness? He longs to return to their home in the South of France but meanwhile his wife and children are forming strong bonds with his parents and he is under pressure from the Rebbe to allow his son the attend the local yeshiva, as they see him as a future leader.
This is an inside view into the Hasidim Jewish community and also the international art world. ( )

artist and Hasid caught between two worlds, Asher must promise his son to the Rebbe for the sake of his father

This is a very interesting, educational continuation of My Name is Asher Lev. The explanation of Asher's thoughts and feelings, and the information regarding art were valuable. I also liked very much the loving characteristics of Asher. ( )

Asher Lev, now a husband and father living in France, has become a world-renowned artist, even as his art continues to grate against his Hasidic Jewish observance. He's stayed away from the rest of his family and Jewish community back in Brooklyn, but the passing of his uncle draws Asher into a difficult and perplexing journey he isn't prepared for in The Gift of Asher Lev by Chaim Potok.

Now, in all honesty, if I hadn't already gotten to know and relate to Asher in the preceding novel, My Name is Asher Lev, one of my all-time favorite books, it's doubtful that I would have stuck with this sequel from start to finish. The walk through this novel was rather dry and tedious to me at times, but I remained curious to see where this mysterious, mystical leg of Asher's journey would lead.

Besides, I already knew how this author's measured and understated but intentional plot development can eventually bring certain details and questions into startling light, which does happen in places in this story.

I couldn't put into a book review all the reasons why I relate to Asher, an artist, even as I, a writer, don't share his rather somber outlook on life or what life apparently must be for a serious creative. And for personal reasons I won't get into, this story wound up angering a part of me—which nothing in the novel could resolve.

Nevertheless, the story served to further impress upon me my takeaways from the previous book, concerning the tension of the unfathomable mystery that can come along with a profound gift. In an essential echo of one of my takeaways from The Chosen, another all-time favorite of mine by this author: greatness is not, and need not be, easily understood. ( )