The moment I finished the last word of this book, I immediately wanted to reread the book. I wanted so much to open to that first page and reread every single word. Reread it with greater understanding and depth. I left the story feeling fulfilled and knowing that when I do reread it, I will find an old friend again, and I will understand even more than I now understand from just one reading.
The Chosen is an emotionally intense story that explores the relationships between fathers and sons, Jewish culture and religion, and the friendship between two young men. It all begins with a baseball game.
The story follows the two boys over a several year period during which we see the effect of WWII on the American Jews and the world around them. We also receive an insider's view of Zionism and what it means for Jews of different sects.
I was amazed by the love of these two fathers for their sons and the love of their sons to their fathers and each other. I left the story understanding the characters and why they did what they did. I was reminded that God gives us the people we need in our lives. I was sent to parents that I needed. I am sure this is the same with other people.
The characters were all very dedicated to each other and that is a result of the love they all shared and the respect they shared even when they didn't agree with each other. I was impressed with the loyalty shown between people who didn't completely understand each other, but respected each other.
For me, the story was about peace, dedication, and love. I agree with the Wall Street Journal blurb on the cover of my edition, "It will stay on [my bookshelf] and be read again." For me, stories are about what I learn from them. I was reminded, and thus learned, about the great capacities of people to love and serve one another even as we struggle to best know how to serve the people around us and the people who are far from us (figuratively and physically).
