This book makes me want to be an artist, a desire that is not common to me. I enjoy life, but normally have no desire to put what I see onto canvas. Painting and drawing can only capture one sense (not even my favorite sense). My Name is Asher Lev made painting more interesting. It made it into something I almost wanted to try. Almost.
I must again say this book was different than what I thought it was going to be. I find that is true about most books, which means I need to stop judging them before reading. In my defense I heard many book review and such high praise about this book that it altered my view before reading. The book lived up to the praise. In many ways it actually exceeded my expectations.
Again I did something with this book that I do with too many. I thought the book was above me and it was going to be hard to read. For some reason when people tell me that books are great and have a deep meaning it translates to difficult and boring. Asher Lev, the narrator of the book, turned out to be very personable and well spoken without be lofty.
Asher Lev was from a Jewish family in New York. His father and mother came from very important Jewish families. Asher was next in line to be very important. Instead of following his father into working for the rebbe he fell in love with art. From a young age he was said to have a gift. He would paint or draw everything he saw. His father did not approve. Many times he was told to stop this silliness and grow up. Asher was told that God did not approve of his drawing and it was a sin to continue on with something so childish. The rebbe however had different ideas.
The rebbe says Asher is to learn to paint. He is to be taught by a prominent Jewish artist. While studying the different types of art Asher learns to turn his passion and raw talent into beauty.
What else can I say but read it?
Enjoy!
Lindsey
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