[.ca] Davita's Harp (ISBN 0449911837)

Enjoyable:
Chaim Potok does an excellent job of weaving the social and political turmoil of the later 1930's and early 1940's with the pain and difficulties of growing up. Davita's Harp is told from the perspective Iliana Chandal, a pre-teen Jewish girl, the only daughter of two Marxists in New York City. The description of the times and events is remarkable, as is the relationships within the Chandal family. I was also impressed with Potok's ability to delve into the psyche of an adolescent girl, struggling to discover her place in the world, eventually embracing Judiaism (a faith her mother had left, and her father's family disapproves of.) It really is an enjoyable, if light read.

Whole-Hearted Recommendation:
I've never wanted to convert so badly. I've long been knowledgeable about the topics this books deals with: Orthodox Judaism, Communism, and the events leading up to World War Two. But never have they seemed so real and compelling. Upon putting the book down, I simultaneously wanted to embrace a life of Marxist journalism and Talmudic study. I whole-heartedly recommend the book, and look forward to reading everything else Potok has to offer.

Praise for Davita's Harp:
If you enjoy delving into wonderfully crafted stories, Potok's "Davita's Harp" will not leave you disappointed. Potok touches on war, confusion, passion, community, justice, faith, family, politics, death, grief, and life--all the essentials of an existential masterpiece! What makes the book so enjoyable is that it is written from the perspective of a young girl who experiences life's disappointments and joys, usually, for the first time. Potok invites readers into Davita's life and subtly asks us to reflect on life's experiences we ourselves have lived. The insightful reader will grab Potok's bait and give thoughtful consideration to life's twists and turns and reexamine ideas and relationships that all to often lack serious attention and effort. May Potok's portrayal of Davita's inquisitive life place you in a position to reexamine yours.

I couldn't stop!:
I heard from several people that Davita's harp was very nice and I found Davita's harp very beautiful too! I must read it for school and I hadn't much time, but I read the whole book, because I really want to know what was going to happen...It was a very easy book to read, because the english language was written easy...I could easily imagine in Davita, how she feels etcetera. You really must read this book, because it's very nice.

An engaging and beautifully written novel:
Most critics that I've read often say that Davita's Harp is good, but not Potok's best. However, this has turned out to be my favorite of his novels, and definitely one of my favorite novels, period. It's beautifully written, with a sensitivity and bittersweet-ness that only Potok can create. Though it's definitely scholarly with a lot of dense subject matter, Potok doesn't make it over our heads. He was the kind of writer that seeks to make us understand without preaching, rather than to show us how much he knew, and the result is a lyrically written, wonderful story of the joys, sorrows, and trials of the human spirit