Davita's Harp: Amazon.ca: Chaim Potok: Books

Frequently Bought Together

+

+

Price For All Three: CDN$ 41.53

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together

This item: Davita's Harp by Chaim Potok Paperback CDN$ 16.75

In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca.
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 25. Details
The Promise by Chaim Potok Paperback CDN$ 12.37

In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca.
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 25. Details
The Gift of Asher Lev by Chaim Potok Paperback CDN$ 12.41

In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca.
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 25. Details

Product Description

For Davita Chandal, growing up in the New York of the 1930s and '40s is an experience of joy and sadness. Her loving parents, both fervent radicals, fill her with the fiercely bright hope of a new and better world. But as the deprivations of war and depression take a ruthless toll, Davita unexpectedly turns to the Jewish faith that her mother had long ago abandoned, finding there both a solace for her questioning inner pain and a test of her budding spirit of independence.

From the Paperback edition.

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

23 Reviews

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging and beautifully written novel, July 16 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Davita's Harp (Paperback)

Most critics that I've read often say that Davita's Harp is good, but not Potok's best. However, this has turned out to be my favorite of his novels, and definitely one of my favorite novels, period. It's beautifully written, with a sensitivity and bittersweet-ness that only Potok can create. Though it's definitely scholarly with a lot of dense subject matter, Potok doesn't make it over our heads. He was the kind of writer that seeks to make us understand without preaching, rather than to show us how much he knew, and the result is a lyrically written, wonderful story of the joys, sorrows, and trials of the human spirit

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Praise for Davita's Harp, Jan 6 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Davita's Harp (Paperback)

If you enjoy delving into wonderfully crafted stories, Potok's "Davita's Harp" will not
leave you disappointed.

Potok touches on war, confusion, passion, community, justice, faith, family, politics,
death, grief, and life--all the essentials of an existential masterpiece! What makes the
book so enjoyable is that it is written from the perspective of a young girl who
experiences life's disappointments and joys, usually, for the first time. Potok invites
readers into Davita's life and subtly asks us to reflect on life's experiences we ourselves
have lived. The insightful reader will grab Potok's bait and give thoughtful consideration
to life's twists and turns and reexamine ideas and relationships that all to often lack
serious attention and effort. May Potok's portrayal of Davita's inquisitive life place you
in a position to reexamine yours.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, Jun 14 2003

By

doc peterson (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Davita's Harp (Paperback)

Chaim Potok does an excellent job of weaving the social and political turmoil of the later 1930's and early 1940's with the pain and difficulties of growing up. Davita's Harp is told from the perspective Iliana Chandal, a pre-teen Jewish girl, the only daughter of two Marxists in New York City. The description of the times and events is remarkable, as is the relationships within the Chandal family. I was also impressed with Potok's ability to delve into the psyche of an adolescent girl, struggling to discover her place in the world, eventually embracing Judiaism (a faith her mother had left, and her father's family disapproves of.) It really is an enjoyable, if light read.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 23 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Want to see more reviews on this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 47 reviews 4.2 out of 5 stars

Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Whole-Hearted Recommendation
I've never wanted to convert so badly.

I've long been knowledgeable about the topics this books deals with: Orthodox Judaism, Communism, and the events leading up to World War... Read more

Published on May 5 2003 by B.

4.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't stop!
I heard from several people that Davita's harp was very nice and I found Davita's harp very beautiful too! Read more

Published on Dec 9 2002 by jessica bakker

4.0 out of 5 stars Oh What A Time It Was!
Davita's Harp is one intriguing book. The description of the tensions that I liana Davita and her family endured during the late 1930's-early 1940's in New York and the entire... Read more

Published on Mar 14 2002 by G. J Wiener

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible--better than Harry Potter
I thought I was in love with Dostoyevsky until I read this book and discovered I'm in love with Potok. Read more

Published on Dec 7 2001 by anna

5.0 out of 5 stars "Davita's Harp" -- Beautiful, Beautiful "Eye Music"
A co-worker of mine, a roly-poly joy and delight of a human being, on the cusp of retirement, urged me to read this book. My first thought was, "Oh, Potok... Read more

Published on Nov 11 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything has a past
Boy was this a wonderful book! It was the first I have ever read by this author, (although I had seen the movie The Chosen many years ago when I was too young to appreciate it)... Read more

Published on May 20 2001 by Amy

5.0 out of 5 stars A Powerful Tale of Growth
A few years back, I borrowed this book from a friend after having read "My Name is Asher Lev" and "The Chosen. Read more