Chaim Potok's The Chosen

by Harold Bloom

Comprehensive reading and study guide for some of the world's most important literary masterpieces - Concise critical excerpts provide a scholarly overview of each work - "The Story Behind the Story" details the conditions under which the work was written - Each book includes a biographical sketch of the author, a descriptive list of characters, an extensive summary and analysis, and an annotated bibliography.

133 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2005

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Marlisa Hommel · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those books that only start getting good after a hundred pages or so. But I couldn’t read it the first time round. It really took a second attempt. After struggling, it gets pretty good. But overall, it’s outdated.

[Boumy Sandberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a very long time ago. Made then quite an impression.

[Gmyersnyc myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The characters are so alive, I became so involved w/ them as I was reading it. Their world is so foreign to mine, but the author, through his brilliant writing, made me want to enter their world, and become a part of it, if only while reading this wonderful book. The relationship between Reuven and his father is exceptional.
This is the second time that I've read this book, and perhaps enjoyed it more the second time. Again, I wasn't ready to let go of the characters, and didn't have to, because the story of Reuevn and Danny continues in The Promise (which I am re-reading again, also!)
Chaim Potok is an extraordinary author, and if you haven't read any of his work, you should do yourself a favor and experience his brilliant storytelling.