I found four copies of this novel in the local Op shop which I have purchased specially to release on the anniversary of Chaim Potok's birth on 17th February 1929 for my Ultimate Author Anniversary Release Challenge and also for Potok-fan's release challenge
My review -
Finally I have read this very interesting book about how a young observant Jewish boy dealt with his artistic gift. The author depicted the life of young Asher very well and it was interesting to see how he coped with what his father couldn't decide was either evil and came from the sitra achra or in fact was a gift from the Master of the Universe.
Asher's artistic talent tore the family structure apart and threatened the family's Hasidic traditions.

From an article by John Timmerman about the author "the central theme of all of his books has been the enduring and changing religious tradition of a people, and how that tradition shapes the present moment and is shaped by it. As a result, Potok’s books leap beyond narrow categories and become universally appealing. His protagonists, always young men of pronounced individual convictions, carry on a warfare with their tradition and, to varying degrees, find their own place and nature in relation to it. Thus, these are the stories of all humankind living in the ongoing matrix of religious, ethnic and cultural beliefs."

RELEASE NOTES:

This is to taken to the meet and greet tonight, looking for a new Potok fan!

It's been three years (!) since I got this book, I haven't read it, and since I'm clearing out my shelves I'm going to release it unread a.s.a.p.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Hope you will enjoy this!