The Chosen is simply a marvelous book. The father and son relationship, the education of children's souls, their emergence into the world - all this is treated in such a slim volume. Danny, the orthodox Jew, is bound by tradition and birthright to take his father's place as rabbi for his people, but yearns to study psychology. Far from the common "I-want-to-be-my-own-man" American pseudo-novel where the strict father is demonized and autonomous freedom celebrated, choice truly means something, and the corresponding sacrifice is great. Potok writes of a certain tragedy of choice, I think, and this tone of tragedy permeates the novel and lends it compelling character.
"When you have a son, will you raise him in silence?"
"Yes, if I can't find another way."
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