by Chaim Potok
First published 1972
Asher Lev is a gifted young painter born into an insular Hasidic community. As his artistic talent blossoms, Asher must navigate the conflict between his religious upbringing and his overpowering need to create. Torn between his family's traditions and his own creative vision, Asher risks shaming his people to pursue his God-given gift. In this deeply moving story, Asher's journey explores the universal tensions between duty and desire, faith and freedom.
Genres: fiction, art, literary-fiction, 20th-century, coming-of-age, 21st-century, family-drama, jewish
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, duty-vs-desire, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Crown Heights (New York, N.Y.), New York, New York (State)
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
369 pages · Paperback · Anchor