Davita's Harp

Hmmmmm not sure what to think of it. I can't really recommend it.

Yet, at the same time, it raises good questions that, unlike The Chosen, are not just for a certain community.

Similarly, Potok is absolutely brilliant at exploring a series of experiences through the growing, expanding, learning mind of a child. Not since the Little House series have I been so impressed with the simplified insight that gradually matures over time portrayed in writing.

This novel tries hard but didn’t quite work for me. As always, Potok does a great job of examining the tension between different parts of the Jewish and intellectual communities. The historical details in this book, set before and during World War I, are gripping. But the rest of the book is very flat, and the protagonist, a little girl, never really rang true for me. I got the feeling that Potok was terrified of being sentimental, and so he went the other direction and made Davita a little wooden.

A Beautiful Work: I recently happened upon this work and was impressed by the depth of the writers knowledge and feeling. The sory is about a young girl coming of age in the era which sorrounde the Second World War. It is certainly much more than that as it delves into Religion as well as the biases existing therein concerning women and their ability to be disciminated against because of thrir sex. The story is matefully woven throughout. The characters are axtraordinarily well developed and are allowed to evoke real emotions. Perhaps the only weakness is that the writer attempts to give the reader much information to digest in a number of pages are far too brief. Although not a new book, this stands the test of time well and is a most show more satisfying work. show less

Davita's Harp is one of the books that show you the world through a child's eye. It takes you through war, politics, Religion and makes you open your mind to new ways of thinking and new ideas. I loved all the extra learning that came with this book too. I had never heard of Guernica or Centralia, and had to teach myself a little about Judaism too. Jacob Daws story's are amazing and everyone has different view on them (which makes me think that this book would be perfect for a book club and school reading).

The best parts of this book are discussed far too efficiently, which is a shame. Some condensing and pruning of plot would have really elevated this into something like the masterpiece that is The Chosen.

Beautifully written. All characters are growing, learning,d eveloping individuals. All faiths (Judaism and Christianity) written about with thought and understanding.

NO OF PAGES: 307 SUB CAT I: Fiction SUB CAT II: Jewish - Christian Issues SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: This novel explores the difficulty of a young girl growing up with a Jewish mother and a Gentile father. As she begins to make decisions for herself about her beliefs, she gravitates toward Judaism.NOTES: SUBTITLE: A Novel