The Chosen

The Chosen by Chaim Potok


Set in 1940's Brooklyn, The Chosen is the story of two teens, Reuven and Danny, who meet and grow a rare and deep friendship.  Though both are Jewish, Reuven is a Modern Orthodox Jew, while Danny is Hasidic.  This difference is startling in their families' core beliefs, and affects their own choices in life.

Not being Jewish myself, I know very little about the differences between Jewish sects.  I was intrigued by the rituals and studies involved.  The main problem I had with this novel had nothing to do with the actual story.  It was the beginning of the book:  I had trouble believing that these two could have formed a friendship so easily.  They met during a baseball game, where Danny deliberately hit a ball directly at Reuven, shattering Reuven's glasses and embedding a piece of glass into his eye...  Then Danny visits in the hospital & admits he wanted to kill Reuven with his bat because he almost struck him out!   I guess you have to give him points for honesty, but his brutal thought process was a little scary.  Since I have never been that serious about anything, it was hard to understand why THEY would understand.  Thankfully, that was the beginning, and I forced my way past it.  The further story of growing up together and helping each other overshadowed the shaky start.