Reuven Malter lives in Brooklyn, he's in love, and he's studying to be a rabbi. He also keeps challenging the strict interpretations of his teachers, and if he keeps it up, his dream of becoming a rabbi may die. One day, worried about a disturbed, unhappy boy named Michael, Reuven takes him sailing and cloud-watching. Reuven also introduces him to an old friend, Danny Saunders-now a psychologist with a growing reputation. Reconnected by their shared concern for Michael, Reuven and Danny each learns what it is to take on life-whether sacred truths or a troubled child-according to his own lights, not just established authority. In a passionate, energetic narrative, The Promise brilliantly dramatizes what it is to master and use knowledge to make one's own way in the world
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
A continuation of a masterpiece.:
Chaim Potok creates such heart-warming stories...as evident in his earlier work The Chosen...that grab the reader in such a way that you almost become a character in them. Yet, calling his work engaging is a bit of an understatement. The two friends are back in the sequel to Chosen...one is studying psychology and the other is beginning life as a rabbi. Reuvan is the main focus of the story with his entry into the teachings of Judaism and his struggles are apparent early on as his teacher, a fundamentalist,... more info
Theological Food for Thought:
I love reading Potok's books for a variety of reasons, the least of which is that I always learn a tremendous amount about Judaism. I also like reading him from a Christian perspective and often wonder what he would make of messianic Jews (the Jews for Jesus folks). The Promise left me with many thoughts, not the least of which was what was the promise? Potok's struggle to reconcile the various approaches to Judaism in 20th century America is insightful and refreshing. And it's not limited to Judaism. I... more info
Loyal friendship:
The Promise, sequel to The Chosen, finds Danny and Reuven now just in their early twenties and approaching the end of their studies. The battle between Orthodox and Reformed beliefs continues along with its consequential effect on Danny and Reuven, and now coming into the arena in addition to Reuven's teachers is Abraham Gordon, the uncle of Reuven's girlfriend Rachel. Then Danny and Reuven have an additional problem to contend with: Abraham Gordon's emotionally disturbed fourteen year old son Michael; the... more info
Mature and very well done:
Very good mature sequell to Choosen. Chaim Potok at his best
