Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

This is the thread for the October 2024 buddy read of The Chosen by Chaim Potok.

I think I may be reading The Chosen alone! I saw it on the list and have been eagerly looking forward to it having read the gift of Asher Lev last year. Hoping this will be equally as compelling .

I'm planning on reading "The Chosen" too, but cannot start the book until the middle of the month.

I will be reading this a bit later in the month.

I was also planning to read it and still am. It will be later in the month for me.

Oh good- I’m so glad I’m not alone, thanks for replying ☺️

I have started and am looking forward to everyone's thoughts on this one. Very different I think than My Name Is Asher Lev.

I'd never leave you out there alone, Megan.😁

I am a maybe. I own the book, but have such a long list of reading this month. It all depends upon how fast I am.

I will start this weekend,

Oh my goodness, I am being blown away by this book. There is so much I have never known or understood about Judaism that this is a huge eye-opener for me. I also love the historical background from the Jewish point of view of what it was like after WWII ended. It never occurred to me that there would have been factions of Jews opposed to the Jewish State.

Of course the core story of the two boys is so poignant. I am very interested in knowing what others think about (view spoiler)[the imposed silent treatment. (hide spoiler)]

I won't be able to start for another week or so -- but now I am excited to begin!! I am interested to learn more about Judaism and the different factions. And I'm sure the story of the two boys will bring it all together. Gotta' finish a couple more books, and then I'll be right there with you all!! :)

On the edge of my seat wanting to talk about this one, Terris!

I have finished and written my review while all is fresh in my mind. I will wait to post it when we have had some discussion here. I must say this book was a winner for me.

Sara wrote: "I have finished and written my review while all is fresh in my mind. I will wait to post it when we have had some discussion here. I must say this book was a winner for me."

I went ahead and downloaded the audio book yesterday (I just couldn't wait!). And even listening to the first little bit made me think it is my (our) kind of book! Can't wait to get into it!

Oh dear oh dear! I intended to read this, but was going to pass on it because of the mountain of books I want to get to this month, but you all are testing my resolve. I will have to read it, even if late, so I can come back and enjoy everyone's thoughts!

Oh my goodness Sara!!! You’ve read without stopping! I hope you slept! I’m anxious to start.

Kathleen wrote: "Oh dear oh dear! I intended to read this, but was going to pass on it because of the mountain of books I want to get to this month, but you all are testing my resolve. I will have to read it, even ..."

I hope you do read it, Kathleen. I want to hear your thoughts on it.

Lori wrote: "Oh my goodness Sara!!! You’ve read without stopping! I hope you slept! I’m anxious to start."

LOL. Not quite, Lori. It is a short book and I stopped several times just to think about what I was reading.

Terris wrote: "Sara wrote: "I have finished and written my review while all is fresh in my mind. I will wait to post it when we have had some discussion here. I must say this book was a winner for me."

I went ah..."

I think it is "our" kind of book, Terris, because it raises questions and makes you think. I'm anxious to see what you guys think.

Sara, you were so excited about the book that I switched some books around, and started reading it too. I'm enjoying the beginnings of the friendship between the main characters.

I am at 50% and can see why you like it Sara. I won't check your spoiler or review till I finish though. More thoughts then.

Connie wrote: "Sara, you were so excited about the book that I switched some books around, and started reading it too. I'm enjoying the beginnings of the friendship between the main characters."

So glad!

Sam wrote: "I am at 50% and can see why you like it Sara. I won't check your spoiler or review till I finish though. More thoughts then."

I didn't even post the review yet so I wouldn't accidentally ruin it for anyone.

Sara wrote: "Sam wrote: "I am at 50% and can see why you like it Sara. I won't check your spoiler or review till I finish though. More thoughts then."

I didn't even post the review yet so I wouldn't accidental..."

Can't wait to read your review, but that is probably a good idea! Because I am only about 1/3 of the way through and don't want any spoilers ;)
But I am loving it! I can see why you got through it so quickly. It makes you want to keep reading and reading! I am loving Potok as an author more and more!

I got started today and am still in ch 1. I wasn’t expecting a baseball game!

I’m definitely looking forward to getting further into the story tomorrow.

I am also enamored of Potok now, Terris. Asher Lev and The Chosen were both excellent reads for me and so different. I shall be patient waiting for everyone's thoughts and reactions.

Duh, I’m just now reading the book blurb. I sometimes just pick up a book without reading those.

Lori wrote: "Duh, I’m just now reading the book blurb. I sometimes just pick up a book without reading those."

Sometimes I like it better when I don't read the book blurb, Lori! It doesn't give me any preconceived notions ;)
But either way I think you're really going to like this one. I'm only 30% through and am really enjoying it. Can't wait to see what you think. Between Asher Lev and The Chosen, I think we've all found a new favorite author! :)

I am currently on page 124 which is in ch 7. Danny has taken Reuven to meet his father.

I’m engrossed in this story and learning so much about Judaism as Sara already noted. I’ve been down a rabbit hole about the Hasidic sect and Kabbalah. I had no idea so many differences existed in Judaism. That these boys who should not be friends form a friendship is amazing.

I’m about start tonight.

Lori wrote: "I am currently on page 124 which is in ch 7. Danny has taken Reuven to meet his father.

I’m engrossed in this story and learning so much about Judaism as Sara already noted. I’ve been down a rabbi..."

I love that this is presented inside a story that makes the religious aspects more interesting and never boring. It is lovely to watch the friendship develop from such an unlikely beginning.

I loved the friendship between the two boys in this coming-of-age novel. The Jews are often called "the chosen people." Much of the book is about choices made for the boys by their families, and choices that they make about the future themselves so it was an excellent choice of a title.

There are so many layers in this story, but I'll wait to say more.

I have finished. I really would need a second more careful read to put out any opinion beyond a surface reaction, but I will chime when the discussion gets more earnest.

I just started Chapter 12. I am enjoying this book so much! And I'm learning a lot :)
Can't wait to hear discussions when they begin!

I too have finished, it raised so many emotions, part awe, part sadness and feelings of disturbance at such extremism . At times I had to stop reading because it felt so intense. I learnt so much - such Wonderful choice Sara xxx

I have started. I will probably read over 4 nights. After I read, I may rewatch the movie by the same name. I found it on You Tube.

Here are some study questions that may lead to more thoughtful read. Maybe a comment or two might be generated by these questions.

Topics & Questions for Discussion

1.Why do you think the author settled on the title The Chosen for this novel? To what does the term refer? Also, where do readers encounter the theme of being chosen or else actively choosing in the story? According to the novel, what, if anything, are we able to choose for ourselves, and what is chosen for us?

2.How are the schools that Reuven and Danny attend different?
pWhy do the boys from each school exhibit such animosity toward one another in the play yard? Alternatively, what do all the boys have in common? Within the boys’ schools, how does Reuven say that brilliance is defined? How does this definition of intelligence compare to its definition in the outside world? Which kind of intelligence do Danny and Reuven seem to be most interested
in? Explain.

3.Reuven says that he met Danny because of World War II. What does he mean by this? How does the war bring the two boys together? What does baseball represent according to Reuven?

4.What is an apikoros? Why does Danny refer to Reuven in this way? Why is Danny’s use of this term ironic? What does Reuven think the yeshiva team believes about the game and what it represents to them? Does he agree with their view of the competition?

5.What does Danny say to Reuven when he visits him in the hosital? hospital? How does Reuven respond to this? What advice does Reuven’s father give his son when Reuven mentions Danny’s initial visit? Why do you think he gives him this advice? Does Reuven take his father’s advice?

6.How is Reuven changed by the experience of his injury and recovery? Consider how sight and ways of seeing function as symbols and motifs thereafter in the book. What other examples are there in the novel of a character’s sight changing either literally or
metaphorically, and what causes these changes?

7.What does Reuven’s father say is “the purpose of man” (page 98) and with what does he believe a man must fill his life? In what does Reuven’s father find purpose? What does Danny’s father believe his purpose is? Do either Reuven or Danny find their purpose by the conclusion of the story? If so, how do they accomplish this and what must they sacrifice in order to do so?

8.Although Reuven narrates the story, Danny also functions as a main character. Consider how we come to know the two characters by way of their relationship. What unites the two characters and how are they different? What common struggles do they face and how does each surmount them? What do we learn about each character through their relationship that we might not otherwise be privy to?

9.Explore the motif of silence. Why does Reb Saunders refuse to talk to his son except in association with his studies? How does Danny react to this? What do Reuven and his father think of the way Reb Saunders raises Danny? What other examples of silence are found throughout the novel? At its conclusion, does the book answer the question of whether silence is ultimately positive or negative, necessary or destructive? Explain.

10.Compare and contrast the father-son relationships in the book. What do the two fathers have in common and what divides them? How do the boys perceive their fathers? Describe how each man raises his son. What does each father try to teach his son or instill in him, and why do you think these lessons are important to the boys? Why does Reuven’s father say that he re- spects Danny’s father even though he disagrees with his beliefs?

11.How does each of the main characters react to the news of the Holocaust? Does this revelation unite the characters or set them further apart? Is this surprising? Why, or why not?

12.Consider the theme of suffering. Why does Reb Saunders believe that suffering is necessary? Does the book ultimately seem tosupport his view or overturn it? Explain. How do each of the characters suffer and how are they changed as a result of their suffering? Are the changes primarily positive or negative?

13.Examine how the backdrop of historical events helps to illuminate the major themes of the book. What major historical events are represented in the book? How do the characters respond to these events? What do we learn about the characters from their responses to these events?

14.Evaluate the theme of tradition versus modernity. Does the novel ultimately suggest that tradition is positive or a hindrance? Why does Danny’s father insist on carrying on the traditions he knows? How does Reuven’s father feel about tradition? Why is Danny ultimately willing to part with some of the traditions he knows? Do you believe that he made a good decision? Discuss.

15.Reuven’s father tells his son that he doesn’t know if it was ethical to give Danny books without Reb Saunders’s knowledge. Do you believe that it was ethical for him to do so? Why, or why not?

Stories where eyes or vision is a theme reminds me of a prof saying: Eyes always mean something. . . .Looking forward to seeing what these eyes indicate.

Big Warning:
Well you watch guys like that, kid. You watch them real good, you hear? Anyone clops you, he's got a thing going. --Tony Savo.

I just finished! I loved it so much!
I'm going to have to look through Cynda's questions and see what I think :)

I read the questions early this morning and then my day has been so full but I’ve been thinking about the metaphors of the eyes and there are quite a few. With Cynda and Terry still reading, I’ll hold off a bit longer.

This was fantastic and I have to agree with Sam that another read would help at least to sort out all of the nuances.

I am going to add two more questions or actually the same question for different times. First,since this was a successful novel when written, what were the real life themes at the time of publication that the novel helped illustrate? (and I am think beyond the Jewish themes to more general themes with which people could identify )
And second when you read it today what real life themes or events come to mind?

Thanks Lori--and Sara--although spoilers do not bother me, they may bother others . . . .I am stopping tonight at about 2/3s through the novel. I will finish tomorrow.

I forgot to cite the source for the questions. They came from The Chosen ISBN13: 9781501142482.

Spoilets don’t bother me either. I will decide whether to kero reading the posts as I go.

Language is a barrier between friends. Food we can share. Music we can sometimes share. But language is a differeent thing altogether.

The metaphor of the eyes is pervasive throughout the novel. Starting with Reuven losing his ability to see clearly after being hit with the baseball by Danny. In the hospital Reuven is confronted with the little boy, Bobby, in the bed next to him who was blind and not able to see anything but had hope that he could regain his sight. We even see the glances between Danny and Reuven that were full of meaning at the point when the boys were not allowed to speak to one another.

I think the eyes represent the boys being able to look inside themselves - gain insights they didn't realize before. I think they were able to learn how to be more compassionate having differing backgrounds and views because of their fathers heavy influences on them and their choices. You can argue that if these boys hadn't had the opportunity to be exposed to each other's differences, they would probably be less tolerant. You could say that Reuven's temporary loss of vision in one eye allowed him to look at the world differently as well. Reuven and Danny's relationship was able to blossom in a sense because Reuven's trauma brought about a new way of perceiving Danny and his Hasidic background. REuven allowed himself to see Danny as a person and not just a Hasidic. And the other way around for Danny seeing Reuven as more than just an outsider, an "apikorism".

Apikores means heretic. I read in one blog where by bringing these words into the baseball game, Potok turned the game into a religious war by delineating from the beginning of the book that we were going to be reading about opposing sides of Judaism. How interesting!

The game was certainly turned into something much more serious from the moment the boys stepped onto the field. Comparing it to a religious war is perfect.

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Lori! That Rueben “opens his eyes” (and heart) after talking with his father did not surprise me. But Danny’s visit did!