The Chosen: REVIEW
by Chang-Ming
Just yesterday, a new book, The Chosen, written by Chaim Potok was published. The book details the life of two Jewish boys from different sects, Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders. The only way I can begin to describe this book is beautiful. I don’t know what to discuss first.
The characters are so amazingly unique. You know each person, and each of them is very individual and different. The character development is amazying.
The plot is quite interesting. The real part of the story doesn’t even begin until halfway through the book, but it’s not boring until then. It just picks up. The plot is very flowing. The core of the entire work is the characters, and the plot revolves around them. Their interactions is the entire plot. You observe them living their life.
Something interesting about this book is its absence of a conflict. While technically fine, there is a sort of vague conflict. The conflict is this mind of a genius which is the chosen one to inherit a life he doesn’t want. And this conflict, significant though it may be, comes only from the characters trying to each make their lives the best they can be. There is no maliciousness, at least not in the real conflict. In fact, the conflict is spurred on by love and devotion.
Part of Potok’s genius is his ability to interweave so many topics and make each incredibly significant. Jewish history, Jewish culture, baseball, friendship, fathers and sons, growing up, learning, knowledge. Each of these is described and given to you, like a gift, in a most moving and beautiful way.
The Essay on Conflict Can Be Character Building
“Conflict Can Be Character Building” “Character building” is such a common phrase and has become a cliche designed to put a positive spin on painful experiences. While it is true to say that conflict is an inevitable aspect of life, it is not true to say that it always results in “building” people. In fact in some cases it tragically destroys them. While novelists and filmmakers, in particular, ...
This book makes you feel. It makes you feel incredible depth of every kind. It makes you want to learn, it makes you want to read, it makes you want to cry. Honestly, I rarely cry at anything, especially books. The climax scene of this novel in which the actual conflict is confronted, is so powerful, moving, and loving that it can bring you to the same place the characters are, even if that is tears.
This book is great choice for teachers to include either in a 7th, 8th, or 9th grade English course. The book is perfect in showing near perfect, if not perfect, character development and description. It reflects upon regular and the extraordinary lives of boys. It is an easy read but the in depth concepts engraved with this book is incredible.
