Reviews

Uitverkoren by Chaim Potok

laramarler's review against another edition

emotional informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

What can I say? This was a book club read. Learned some things though.

candace_wiley's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Reading this as an AP Lit book, I wasn’t going in expecting to love it; in fact, I don’t know why it is so compelling. Maybe the honest way Reuven and Danny communicate with each other and the world, the Jewish perspective I have no experience with, or the analytical discussions and hardship of religious translation. Or, perhaps more simply, it is just good writing. It balances the perfect line of mundane and impactful, creating a realistic world that anyone can sympathize and indulge with. The whole component of “talking in silence” and fearing “a mind without a soul” was very interesting, and really emphasizes the dichotomy of human experience. 

feinsm's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

marysagoodmommy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

jesspeachee's review against another edition

3.0

My main grievance with this book is not being able to find the edition with the cover my copy has.

What a nice ending. I'm glad Danny went the path he chose instead of what had been chosen for him many years ago.

jachinheckman's review against another edition

4.0

solid read, I really appreciate books that portray male friendships that are close and personal, which feels more authentic than the typical portrayal. Along with that there is just a lot of good stuff in there.

13delathauwere's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

allofeternity's review against another edition

4.0

How to rate this??? At first I hated it, then I loved it, but then I got bored, then it was interesting, boring again, then super awesome.... And the ending made me cry!
I guess a solid four stars to this one! ;P

jessica_spencer_01's review against another edition

5.0

I’m. Sobbing. This book is so good… it is so human and so beautifully written. It makes me want to chase my education relentlessly and have my heart open to the sufferings and joys of others. This is my second time reading it and I’ll definitely be reading it again.

Any of my friends who have read this can we pls have a book discussion asap

victoriaono's review against another edition

1.0

Worst book I've ever read for school. Possibly the worst book I've ever read, period. It's not about Judaism and Hasidism that I didn't like, it was just an awful story with an awful writing style.
EDIT (6/11/17): This book ruined my life. - Dana made me write this.