Davita's Harp: A Novel

by Chaim Potok

Paperback, 1996

Status

Available

Genres

General Fiction

All Topics

Fiction

Collections

* Gemeinde-Bibliothek, BE Belletristik

Publication

Ballantine Books (1996), Edition: Reprint, 384 pages

Description

Fiction. Literature. HTML:For Davita Chandal, growing up in New York in the 1930s and '40s is an experience of indescribable joy�??and unfathomable sadness. Her loving parents, both fervent radicals, fill her with the fiercely bright hope for a new, better world. But the deprivations of war and the Depression take their ruthless toll. And Davita, unexpectedly, finds in the Jewish faith that her mother had long ago abandoned both a solace to her questioning inner pain and a test of her budding spirit of independence. To her, life's elusive possibilities for happiness, for fulfillment, for decency, become as real and resonant as the music of the small harp that hangs on her door, welcoming all guests with its sweet, gentle tones. Praise for Davita's Harp �??Rich . . . enchanting . . . [Chaim] Potok's bravest book.�?��??The New York Times Book Review �??It is an enormous pleasure to sink into such a rich . . . solidly writte… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Michelletga

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

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LibraryThing member iayork

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 satisfying work.

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LibraryThing member trish.

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).

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LibraryThing member astrologerjenny

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.

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LibraryThing member DrFuriosa

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.

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